Week 7

HOMEWORK:

• Read:  Act III Scenes 3-5
• Write:  List all the characters in the play and describe their relationship to Romeo.
• This is more than just writing "cousin", "friend", or "father".
• There is a bonus coin available for everyone that uses at least one Simile and one Metaphor in this writing assignment.  Underline them so I can find them more easily.
• Personal Vocabulary:  Keep adding to it
• Set Piece:  Keep working on it
• Plays:  Keep working on it
• Presentation:  Alonnah
• BONUS:  Which other Shakespeare play contains the story of Romeo & Juliet?

Week 3

HOMEWORK:

• Read:  Act I Scenes 4-5.  If you still don't have the book, you can find the play online or in any other book with the unabridged play.
• Write:  Are elderly people wiser than young people?  Explain and give examples.
• Plays:  Keep working on getting to 17 plays
• Set Piece:  Start memorizing
• Presentation:  Elsa

BONUS:

• 2 Coins:  Read pages 1-24 in the book.  Expires 10/5
• 1 Coin:  What is the role of the nurse in the play?  Please answer in complete sentences.  Expires 10/5

Street Brawls, Words, & The Plays

This week in class:

Warm-ups:

Lecture:  Introduction to the Plays

• Tragedies -- there are 11.  
• Comedies -- there are 13.
• Histories -- there are 7.
• Problems -- there are 3/

Play Discussion:  Act 1, Scene 1 of Romeo & Juliet

• Street brawl with swords!
• Two noble families feuding
• The Prince of Verona has had it with the two families and forbids any future disturbances.
• Romeo is a hopeless romantic with an unrequited love -- but he seems to be more in love with the IDEA of love rather than the woman he is pining for (which isn't Juliet at the moment...he hasn't met Juliet, yet.)

Writing Assignment Discussion:  What is the purpose of words?  Do they have power?

We ran out of time to show this video, but it's a great one!

Here's another great video about words and how we use them.

https://vimeo.com/3829682?ref=em-v-share


Queen Madeline was crowned Queen of Shakespeare.  Great job, Madeline!

HOMEWORK:

• Read: Act 1, Scenes 2 & 3 and commentary.  Pages 40-50.
• Opinion Paper:  What is the purpose of words?  Do they have power?
• Must complete the writing checklist and turn the paper in on time if you want the paper to count for a coin.  :-)
• Don't worry about the "Who is your audience?" part of the checklist -- we'll cover that next week.
• Don't forget to include your rough draft!
• Sariah & Leila -- presentations
• Keep working on your 17 plays

BONUS:

• 2 Coins -- Read pages 1-24 in Romeo & Juliet.  Expires 10/5
• 1 Coin -- Bonus Question 1:  Give two important facts about Verona.  Expires 9/28.
• Doesn't need to be an essay, but you do need to use complete sentences.
• Make sure your name is on the paper so we know who to give credit to.

Presentation Schedule

Shakespeare Fall 2017 Presentation Schedule

Sep 28 -- Sariah - War of the Roses

Sep 28 -- Leila - A Man's Home is His Castle

Oct 5 -- Elsa - Social Position

Oct 12 -- Gwen - What Did Peeps Where?

Oct 19 -- Katie - The life of Queen Elizabeth

Oct 26 -- Levi - What the Heck is a Fork?

Nov 2 -- Alonnah - Myths, Legends, and Mysteries

Nov 9 -- Madisen - Witches, Fairies, and Things That Go Bump in the Night

Nov 16 -- Madeline - Weapons

Nov 30 -- Athen - God, Religion, and Superstition

Dec 7 -- Reina - All in a Day's Work - Jobs

Welcome to Shakespeare 2017/2018

 Welcome to Shakespeare Conquest!!

We had a great first day of class.  Class requirements were discussed, coin bags were decorated, body language was explored, we got tied up in knots, cake was beheaded, and we had our first coronation!

Queen Elsa was crowned Queen of Shakespeare.  Way to go, Elsa!!

HOMEWORK:

• Read Act 1, Scene 1 and be ready to discuss in class -- 1 Coin if completed before class.
• Keep reading, watching, listening to the plays -- you're shooting for 17!   

BONUS COINS:

• 1 BONUS COIN:  Read the commentary on pages 35 - 39 in the Romeo & Juliet book.  Expires Thursday, 9/21/17
• 2 BONUS COINS:  Read pages 1-24 in the Romeo & Juliet book. Expires Thursday, 9/28/17

Tomorrow is the Big Day!

I think that you all have been working hard, and you have got this!
Please remember all props and costumes tomorrow at 12:30!
Friday: 12:30 pm arrival, hair, make-up, and costumes followed by dress rehearsal.
            6:00 pm - performance
Saturday: 10:00 am arrival, hair, make-up, and costumes
            12:00 pm - performance followed by cast party
            5:00 pm - performance followed by clean up

Less than Two Weeks Until the Big Days!

Last week we began our class with some (dairy free) brownies to celebrate Shakespeare's birthday which was April 23rd. Then we had some warm-ups and rehearsal.

Rehearsals are going great, and the play is less than two weeks away.  It is the time to have everything that you need for costumes.  Please bring what you have to school on Thursday so our Costume Mistress can see what we have.  We are down to the end.  We are working on details, such as what to do with your hands when acting, and projecting!  I am excited and I hope that you all are also!

Rehearsals are going . . . .

Rehearsals are going amazingly!  In the three years that I either helped with a Shakespeare play, or directed it, I have never seen this many actors with their lines memorized so early.  We keep putting our expectations out for these young scholars, and they keep meeting them.  Now, we just need everyone to focus on the types of movements that their characters would be making.  Also, we need to have everyone work on speaking their lines slowly, and loudly so that the audience will be able to hear.  Otherwise, all of the line memorization will go to waste if the audience can not hear or understand what is going on.

Rehearsal Schedule

I know that our fabulous producer, Kellie, handed out a schedule for everyone, but now that we are in full rehearsal mode, here is a reminder:

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE FOR LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST:

March 31st - 10-12 - Moore Library - From Act I Scene 1

April 6th - LINE MEMORIZATION DEADLINE!
                - 10AM-2PM - Rehearsal - Whole Play

April 7th - 10-12 - Fern Hill Library -  Act V

April 13th - Co-Op - Whole Play

April 14th - 10-12 - Moore Library - Act IV

April 20th - Co-Op - Whole Play

April 21st - 10-12 - Moore Library - Act III

April 27th - Co-Op - Whole Play

April 28th - 10-12 - Moore Libary - Complicated Scenes (TBA)

May 4th - Co-Op - Whole Play

May 5th - 10-12 - Moore Library - Complicated Scenes (Probably Act V)

May 8th - TECH WEEK - Co-Op building - 10AM-2PM - WHOLE PLAY WITH TECH

May 10th - TECH WEEK - Co-Op building - 10AM-2PM - WHOLE PLAY WITH TECH

May 11th - Co-Op - Whole Play

May 12th - 12:30PM - Co-Op Building - Dress Rehearsal
                 - 6:00PM - PERFORMANCE

May 13th - 10AM- Curtain Call (be here by 10) - Co-Op Building
                 - 12PM - PERFORMANCE and then cast party
                 - 5PM - PERFORMANCE

The Right Kind of Energy

After working through today's blocking rehearsal, I feel that there is something that needs to be addressed and that is energy.  There seems to be an enormous amount of energy coming from certain actors in the class.  Some of this energy is needed in order to present an entertaining play, however, some of this energy is preventing us from getting through rehearsal and being able to memorize blocking.  On a positive note, we all seem excited to present our version of Shakespeare's Loves Labour's Lost.  Also, we have finished actors training!  I am looking to all of the scholars in Shakespeare to act like the mature young actors that I know that they can be!

Actually Learn the Lines

This week we completed Actor's Training for improvisation and rehearsed Act IV.  I have to say that this play is going to be hilarious!  Thanks to everyone for being teachable and listening to my stage directions.

Next week we will have Actor's Training on stage directions and will rehearse the blocking for Act V.
While memorizing your lines this week, please make sure that you are actually learning what the lines mean as well.  The memorization due date is April 6th, but it is important that you know what it is that your character is saying.

Learning is Difficult

Class went very well today.  Everyone seems to be working really hard and I think that this play is going to be amazing!  Just remember that learning how to act on stage is a difficult process but it will get better, and boys, you need to work on your swagger! :) Remember, you are in looooveee.

Memorize, Memorize, Memorize

Last semester in Shakespeare the homework for the class was to read Julius Caesar, write papers, and work on the steps.  This semester the homework is to memorize your lines!  I only saw a couple of people during the read through last week who had their lines down.  We will be blocking Act 1 this week.  This is a week earlier than the schedule states but that is because we finished our read through early.  

Reading Through The Play

Last week we began to read through the play in order to make sure that we understand it.  Please make sure to bring your script and a PENCIL to EVERY class from here on out.  You may need to write in directions or changes in your script that may later again need to be changed.  I ask for all of your patience and understanding as we decide how to perform this play and I hope that you know that I feel very blessed to be able to work with all of you.

Play Script

I have emailed out the script.
Please let me know if you did not receive it.
Homework this week is to print out the script and highlight your part.
We will have actor's training that may involve your masks and then we will begin reading through the script.

Loves Labours Lost Casting

After much prayerful consideration, here is the casting for our play!!!
I know that each of you will make each role your own and find a way to enjoy the hard work that is ahead.  That is, I have faith in each of you making this play the best that you can and learning a lot in the process.

LOVE LABOURS LOST presented by FILA Shakespeare Conquest

Ferdinand - Ethan Day

Biron - Gabe Poyer

Longaville - Zach Schumaker

Dumain - Ethan Hellyer

Boyet - Tillie Blanchard

Princess - Hannah Doolin

Rosaline - Lucy Ellis

Maria - Reina Kloepfel

Katherine - Paige Preece

Don Andiano - Spencer Bullock

Moth - Leila Harrop

Costard - Madison Bullock

Jaquanetta - Taylor Miller

If you have any questions about your character, please email me.

I will email the script out this week so that you can begin preparing.  

Until then please study the play and learn more about your character. 

Scholar Parent Night

I am so incredibly proud of everyone as I was able to see you not only help me present the Shakespeare class to our school but in your other classes as well.

Now the suspense is over and everyone knows that indeed we are performing Love Labour's Lost this spring!!!  Now it is time to read and/or watch the play, decide which part you would like to audition for,

and prepare a memorized piece.  You need to bring your audition sheet along with a signed contract (which I will email to all of you) this next Thursday.  I am very excited!  Please, do not be too nervous as we are here to support you and just hope that you take the time to prepare yourselves accordingly.

-Queen Leiloni


                                                 

Actor's Training Hath Begun!

We have now begun actor's training.  In actor's training, it is important to be respectful to everyone and feel that we are in a safe environment to be ourselves as well as how to act like other characters.  
This week all of the papers, vocabulary words, set piece memorizations and iambic pentameter poems are due.  In order to complete the ten steps this year, everything that we worked on this semester must be turned in this Thursday.

Also, this week we will have a toga party during 4th hour to celebrate the completion of Julius Caesar.

Friends, Roman, Countrymen, Lend me Your Ears

Today in Shakespeare conquest we finished up our discussion on Julius Caesar.  For completing such a feat, on January 19th, the last day of the semester, we will have a toga party the second hour of class. Feel free to bring a toga to wear and snacks and games will be provided.

Reina was able to pass off her set-piece today!  Everyone else who has not passed off this requirement has until the 19th to do so.  This is also when all papers, vocabulary lists, iambic pentameters, and plays are due.

We have also begun our actor's training in order to prepare for our Shakespeare play.  The play will be announced on January 26ath at the parent night.  We will also be looking for parents to sign up for which role they would like in producing this play.

I am so excited to get ready for the new semester.

Sincerely,
Queen Leiloni