Synopsis
This sampler of Shakespearean scenes revolves around the theme of Elizabethan theatre and staging techniques. A central character, the Modern Theatre Student, narrates between scenes and keeps order amid chaos. Her rival for attention is Jacques from As You Like It, who continually wants to "get on with it." Scenes include the plays-within-plays from Hamlet and A Midsummer Night's Dream; the players' relationships with the Elizabethan groundlings as seen in the funeral oration from Julius Caesar and the drunken porter from Macbeth; the girls-disguised-as-boys scene from The Merchant of Venice; the use of excerpts from Pericles, Henry V and Henry VIII; epilogues from The Tempest and A Midsummer Night's Dream; and of course the speech "All the world's a stage," from As You Like It, acted in pantomime. This play is ideally suited for classroom production as it ensures enough parts for everyone while, at the same time, it gently teaches the students about the life and theatre of Shakespeare.
Notes
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MODERN STUDENT. We will begin our action with excerpts from several plays, Pericles, Henry V and Henry VIII.
Details
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Status
In stock
- Type of Show One-act Play
- Product Code A32000
- Cast Size 12
- Min. Royalty Rate $50/perf
- Cost $9.95
- Approx. Run Time 45 min
Categories
- Target Audience Middle School | High School
- Performing Group Middle School | High School
- Genre Comedy | Drama
- ISBN(13) 9780871292278
Customer Reviews
- "This play was great for our cast of 12 students in 7th and 8th grades with each student taking several parts. The play was an "exploratory" class and most of the students had no previous experience so it was a good introduction to playing many types of characters--and a good introduction to Shakespeare, too!"
- Review by Gail Mitchell, New Covenant Schools, Lynchburg, Va.
- "Excellent piece for high school students who have had no experience performing Shakespeare. It gave a large number of students a chance to "try on" a Shakespeare character. Hugh success with my student actors. They loved doing it!"
- Review by Kathy Holly, Inter-Lakes High School, Meredith, NH
- "A very good educational piece; Shakespearean sampler; excellent variety of good roles; lots of acting opportunities, both vocal and physical."
- Review by Bob Nicholls, Thom Collegiate, Regina, SK
- "This play is a great deal of fun with an enthusiastic group. The students had an opportunity to learn about crafting period costuming as well as the challenge of playing more than one part in a show!"
- Review by Pat Davis, Lakeview Middle School, The Colony, TX
- "A one-act play that shows scenes from Shakespeare's plays. This was excellent for our children's shows. The narrator (modern student) explains Shakespeare's plays to the audience and then scenes are performed."
- Review by Doris Vialpando, Los Lunas Schools, Los Lunas, N.M.
- "The play was fun for the students; the short, varied scenes gave them an opportunity to try both comedy and serious acting skills. The simplicity of set and costuming accented the acting skills of my students. It was quite successful."
- Review by Deanna Peters, Bradford Area High School, Bradford, Pa.
Hints, Tips, and Tricks
- "It's a good introduction to Shakespeare, but you'll need to spend the extra time contextualizing each scene with your students. Lots of good roles, large and small, and good opportunities for ensemble work."
- Tip by Shelly Riggs, Logan High School, Logan, Ohio
- "The format of the show allowed me to work with individuals and small groups before putting the entire show together."
- Tip by Deanna Peters, Bradford Area High School, Bradford, Pa.
Downloads
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