Drama Unit Assessment: Scene Production

Students will demonstrate their understanding of movement in a performance piece by blocking a scene. Also, students will
demonstrate their understanding of language by inserting intonation into the script.
Students will create the scenery and provide a floor plan of the setting of their performance piece. Students may consider adapting the
Shakespearean play to a different time and place, as well as the use of any props used.
Students will demonstrate their understanding of characterization by casting a character that matches the personality traits for their
Shakespearean scene, including costumes and make-up.
Students will collaborate on this project using Google Docs.

What is blocking?
Adapted from http://www.folger.edu/Content/Teach-and-Learn/Programs-for-Students/Student-Festivals/How-To-Preparing-for-a-Festival/Blocking-and-Stage-Direction.cfm

Blocking is the directors arrangement of actors movement on the stage with respect to one another and the stage space. Some
directors discover ideas for blocking during the rehearsal process, but it is useful to have ideas about blocking before rehearsal. Plans
will evolve and change, and wonderful things will happen.
Useful Terms
Upstage: The back of the stage, away from the audience
Downstage: The front of the stage, closest to the audience
Centerstage: The middle of the stage
Stage Right: The side of the stage that is on the actors right as s/he faces the audience
Stage Left: The side of the stage that is on the actors left as s/he faces the audience
Cross: Movement from one area to another. Designated by X
Write blocking notes in script. Blocking is written by the line on which they move. (i.e. "She exits upstage right.")
For this project, you and one or two other classmates will select a scene from Taming of the Shrew and get it ready for production. You
will need to consider casting, set design, stage blocking, and intonation.
Getting Started
1.

2.
3.

4.

Pick roles for your group. *For groups of two, roles can be divided or shared.
a. You will need a stage director who is responsible for setting up the initial document, blocking the scene, and adding
intonation. Blocking will be written in their script in BLUE. Intonation will be in RED.
b. You will need a costume designer who will be responsible for casting your actors and dressing them. A casting
rationale will need to be included for each actor.
c. You will need a set designer who will be responsible for creating the floor plan, set design, and any props needed. A
descriptive paragraph should accompany set plan.
Start by setting up a Google Doc for you and your group. One person is going to have to share the document with the other
member(s) of your group, including Mrs. Hilarides (hilaridesk@apps.harpercreek.net).
Find the scene that you have selected to produce from Taming of the Shrew http://shakespeare.mit.edu/taming_shrew/index.html.
a. Copy and paste the scene into Google Docs. This will be your working document. All members of your production
team will make all revisions to this document.
Have a production meeting to agree on the foundation of your scene.

a. Where is this going to be? What attitude are your actors going to portray?
Rubric

Blocking

4-Excellent
The blocking is
expertly done and
shows that the
director clearly
understands the
actors and their
motivations during
the scene (10 points).

3-Good
The blocking is
accurately done and
shows that the
director understands
the actors and their
motivations during
the scene (9-8
points).

2-Almost
The blocking is done
but it is vague and
could be developed
more. It is that clear
that the actor
understands the
actors and their
motivations during
the scene (7-6

1-Not Quite
The blocking is
unfinished and/or
missing. It is unclear
that the director
knows anything
about the actors and
their motivations
during the scene (5-0
points).

Intonation

Casting

Costume Design

Set Design

Justification

Mechanics

points).
The intonation is
done but it is vague
and could be
developed more. It is
that clear that the
actor understands the
actors and their
motivations during
the scene (7-6
points).
The casting is done
but the actors may
not fit the characters
they will portray very
well and it is not very
clear that the casting
director understands
each character and
their role (7-6
points).
The costume are
done but they dont
fit the role for each
character in the scene
(7-6 points).

The intonation is
expertly done and
shows that the
director clearly
understands the
actors and their
motivations during
the scene (10 points).

The intonation is
accurately done and
shows that the
director understands
the actors and their
motivations during
the scene (9-8
points).

The blocking is
unfinished and/or
missing. It is unclear
that the director
knows anything
about the actors and
their motivations
during the scene (5-0
points).

The casting is
expertly done. The
actors fit the
characters they will
portray and it is clear
the casting director
understands each
character and their
role (10 points).

The casting is well

done. The actors fit
the characters they
will portray and it is
clear the casting
director understands
each character and
their role (9-8
points).

The costumes are

expertly done. The
costumes fit the
characters and their
role within the scene
(10 points).

The costume are well

done. The costumes
fit the characters and
their role within the
scene (9-8 points).

The set design is

expertly done. The
floor plans, set
design, and all props
are included and it is
obvious that the set
designer understands
the scene and the
purpose of the set
design within that
scene (20-19 points).
The justifications for
the costume design
and set design are
expertly done. The
designers justify their
decisions very well
with support from
the play (20-19
points).
I have great,
inventive mechanics
and few if any errors
(5pts).

The set design is well

done. The floor plans,
set design, and all
props are included
and it shows that the
set designer
understands the
scene and the
purpose of the set
design within that
scene (18-16 points).
The justification for
the costume design
and set design are
well done. The
designers justify their
decisions with
support from the play
(18-16 points).

The set design is

done and all elements
are included but it
may not be clear that
the set designer really
understands the
scene and the
purpose of the set
design within that
scene (15-11 points).
The justification for
the costume and
design and set design
are done but they
may not be support
with evidence from
the play (15-11
points).

The justification for

the costume design
and set design is
unfinished and/or
missing. There is a
lack of support for
the decisions made
(10-0 points).

I have solid
mechanics and may
have a couple errors
(4pts).

I have basic
mechanics and
several errors (3pts).

I have poor
mechanics and many
distracting errors (02pts).

The casting
unfinished and/or
missing. It is unclear
that the casting
director understands
the characters (5-0
points).

The costumes are

unfinished and/or
missing. It is unclear
whether or not the
casting director
understood the
characters roles
during the scene.
The set design is
unfinished and/or
missing. It is unclear
if the set designer
really understands
the scene and the
purpose of the set
within that scene (100 Points).