Scene guidelines

As you read the plays, note which scenes you find interesting and raise or in some way illustrate ethical issues. Make notes to discuss with your group. When you get together (there will be time in class), talk about which scene or scenes you wish to present to the class. Once you have chosen your scene, plan for times when the group can meet to practice.

The presentation should be approximately 10 minutes long. A short scene, or a combination of several short scenes that work together and are well thought-out and well-presented are better than one long painful-to-watch scene. The scene you choose does not have to be the big, important one, but it should illustrate some ethical issue, and should allow everyone to participate.

You may share a large role between two people, or one person may play two smaller parts if necessary. Everyone must participate in the scene.

When you work on your scene, spend time deciding what is important in it, how it relates to the play as a whole, and what issue you think it brings out.

You may want to appoint a director out of your group (but everyone must act, too!). You need not memorize your lines, but rehearse sufficiently so that you don't need to rely totally on the script. Because the textbook is so awkward to handle and the print so small, you may want to retype your scene. You will probably want to use at least some minimal costumes or props. Be imaginative and creative and make what you are doing interesting to the audience. We don't have much space in the classroom, so you will be limited in how much you can move around. We will clear out a space on the north wall (opposite the screen and VCR).

Your scene should launch us into a discussion, with your group prepared to lead the discussion.

Each member of the group should turn in a one-page paper describing the experience as a group member, stating the reason for choosing this particular scene, and explicating the ethical issue raised and how this scene illustrates the issue.

Break a leg!

Everyone watching the scenes will critique them using the following criteria

What play is the scene from, what ethical issue is at focus.

Rate the presentation on the following:

Did the scene(s) adequately represent the issue(s)

Was the presentation interesting/well-done

Did the group use creativity/imagination in their presentation

Was the discussion focused/well-led

Comments/questions to the group