Othello Project

Othello Scene Remix

Select a scene. How would you imagine these events taking place in a different time and in a different place? Consider how these events would play out in an old western movie, in the future, in a contemporary high school classroom, in space, or anywhere that you can imagine. Your assignment is to form groups of your own choosing and rewrite a scene from the play in a new setting and/or time period. This is your interpretation of your chosen scene. Your language, costumes, props, and sets should reflect the motif you have chosen. Be as creative as you would like, but you must not deviate from Shakespeare’s original intent. Use anything you can find in your homes, or perhaps vintage and thrift shops, to create sets, props, and costumes that sell your scene! You do not have to buy anything - try using nature or things you already have at home to fuel your imagination. There will be two components to this project, each of which will comprise 50% of your grade. The first will be the script. Since we are studying drama, you will produce a professional-looking script for your drama. The script must include dramatis personae, dialogue, stage directions, and any other pertinent information. Character names need to be bolded, and stage directions need to be italicized. Your script should be original, but it must capture the “big ideas” found in Othello. Although you are encouraged to be creative and humorous in your scripts, your scripts must be school appropriate. Inappropriate dialogue or actions may result in a zero for the project. You may change character names, but try to create names that reference the characters in Othello.

The second component will be the presentation itself: video or live. It must reflect all the appropriate components of a dramatic presentation. You will be assessed on your use of sets, costuming, props, and overall performance value. Your lines should be memorized. No one wants to see actors reading! People want to see them acting! Although we certainly do not expect Oscar-worthy performances, it is important that you take the assignment seriously.

Break a leg! (but not literally, please!) The more creativity you put into this, the more fun you will have making it, and the more fun we will have watching it!

Film Comparison

Choose another film adaptation of Othello. Option After watching the movie, write an essay comparing and contrasting the two films. Consider the themes the films focus on. What are the differences and similarities between the two? What did one do that the other did not?

DUE DATES

Script - December 14th

Performance - December 17th

Essay - December 16th