This Seat's Taken: AP Lit, April 19, 2013

Focus: Getting comfortable in the Theatre of the Absurd by preparing scenes from R & G Are Dead

1. Announcements!

2. Warm-up: Look back over pages 11 to 17 (the part we read yesterday), and please brainstorm responses to the following questions in your composition notebook:

• Why do you think Stoppard selected these two characters for his play? 

• How does he re-create them?  In other words, though they are "dreadfully uniform" in Hamlet, they start to take on distinct personalities in Stoppard's play.  How are they each characterized?

• What elements of the Theatre of the Absurd have you noticed so far?

3. Reuniting with your acting companies to prepare scenes from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

Acting Co #1: Top of page 17 to "Exeunt" at bottom of page 37
Acting Co #2: "I want to go home" at bottom of page 37 to bottom of page 59
Acting Co #3: Top of page 60 to top of page 85
Acting Co #4: Top of page 85 to "Don't cry" on page 104
Acting Co #5: "Don't cry" on page 104 to end of play

a. Figure out what important events have led up to your scene (focusing especially on what happens right before your scene takes place).

Here is a good site for a detailed summary of the play: Shmoop

b. Perform an analytical reading of your scene.  In other words, don't worry about how to perform it quite yet; instead, think of how to analyze it, interpreting...

• Elements of the Absurd
• Extended metaphors and motifs
• Characterization
• Larger themes

c. Perform a dramatic reading of your scene, thinking about...

• Staging (entrances, exits, movement)
• Costumes & props
• Making SYMBOLIC choices
• How to pronounce words, when to take pauses, when to shout, when to whisper, etc.

d. Create one warm-up activity to prepare us for your scene and five strong discussion, Socratic-style questions to help us discuss your scene after your performance.

HW:
1. Continue working on culminating essay.

2. If you are revising your critical essay or poetry essay, please do so by the end of April.


Performance Schedule:

Friday, April 19, Monday, April 22 and Tuesday, April 23: Preparation days

Wednesday, April 24: Acting Co #1

Thursday, April 25: Acting Co #2

Friday, April 26: Acting Co #3

Monday, April 29: Acting Co #4

Tuesday, April 30: Acting Co #5

Wednesday, May 1: Tuesday Writing on Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead