Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Midsummer: Performance Brainstorm

Our class is starting a performance project where we'll act out a scene from the play we're reading, A Midsummer Night's Dream. This is a brainstorm about what characters I'd like to be and why; what scenes I'd like to act out and why; and my ideas on how to carry out these scenes (and why xP).

Preferred Scenes and Characters:
Theses are scenes that really caught my attention, but I don't mind doing other scenes or other characters not mentioned.

Act 1, Scene 1: lines 130-227ish
The conversation between Hermia, Lysander, and, towards the end, Helena following Theseus' decision. Either of the two female characters would be fine, I'll play anything that accommodates to my partners’ choices. I like how in this scene there are a lot of short lines or passages that go back and forth between the characters; i.e. the "course of true love" passage between Hermia and Lysander, the "sway the motion of Demetrius' heart" banter between Hermia and Helena.

Act 3, Scene 2: lines 38- 111ish
The scene where Hermia confronts Demetrius and demands to know where Lysander is (Oberon and Robin Goodfellow watching). Again, this is a scene where there aren't giant passages to memorize... Hermia being the only girl would be my preference.

lines 124-365 (A smaller passage within this...)
The huge fight where everyone's turned against each other, probably one of the most interesting scenes. Again: there are short lines going back and forth between the four lovers. Either Hermia or Helena is fine.

Ideas for the Scenes:
Props: I can't think of any props you could use besides maybe the background or clothes. If it's a scene with Robin and the nectar, he could be carrying a vial or something. Bottom could have a mask for when he turns into a donkey. Oberon and Titania could have crowns. Titaina could carry a doll or something to represent the little Indian boy. Lysander and Demetrius could have swords and Hermia and Helena could be wearing jewelry.

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