Performance Adaptation Project

Character & Plot Development Worksheet

Use this worksheet to help students analyze character and plot development. They will use their analyses later when they begin to write their scripts.

Assignment

Groups of  students will rewrite and perform Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar by adapting it to one of the themes listed below. Circle the scenario upon which you and your group plan to base your play.
  1. Pretend each character in the play is a current political figure. Which character would be which politician? Why? How would they behave/speak as a result? What is the motivation for their actions?
  2. Pretend each character in the play is an animal. Which character would be which animal? Why? How would they behave/speak as a result? What is the motivation for their actions?
    3.
  3. Pretend each character in the play is a stereotypical teenager. Which characters would belong to  which social “groups”? Why? How would they behave/speak as a result? What is the motivation for their actions?
    4.
  4. Develop your own scenario and define the characters. Your ideas MUST be submitted in writing and approved in advance.
    5.


Names of each group member

1. ____________________________
2. ____________________________
3. ____________________________
4. ____________________________
5. ____________________________
6. ____________________________

Directions

Define each character listed below according to the theme you and your group have selected. Use the questions following each scenario to define the character. Don’t forget to consider: What is the motivation of each character? Were the characters and their actions justified? What is each character’s tragic flaw and how did they bring their problems upon themselves? If you select #4, you will need to devise your own questions. Include the name that you will give each character in your version of the play.

Major Characters:

Julius Caesar —

Antony —
 
Brutus —

Cassius —

Octavius —

Minor Characters:

Other conspirators (min. 2)


Other characters (2-3) 

Directions

Define the plot and the effects according to the theme you and your group have selected. Use a separate sheet of paper to describe each.

Plot:

  1. List the events in Shakespeare’s play that you believe are most important and MUST be included in your version.
    2.
  2. Describe how you will apply the scenario that you have chosen to the events listed above. (For example: How will your Cassius convince your Brutus to join the conspiracy? What is the reason your Cassius and your Brutus fear your Caesar?) Don’t forget to consider: What is the motivation of each character? Were the characters and their actions justified? What is each character’s tragic flaw and how did they bring their problems upon themselves?
    3.

Effects:

  1. What costumes might your characters wear? Describe how your ideas would enhance the audience’s understanding of the play.
    2.
  2. What might your sets look like? Describe how your ideas would enhance the audience’s understanding of the play.
    3.
  3. What might your props be and how might they look? Describe how your ideas would enhance the audience’s understanding of the play.
    4.
  4. What music or sound effects might you use? Where and how would they be used? Describe how your ideas would enhance the audience’s understanding of the play.
    5.
  5. What other effects might you use? Describe how your ideas would enhance the audience’s understanding of the play.
    6.

Original Use

This assignment is geared toward William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar; however, the assignment can be adapted to any of Shakespeare's other plays as well as to other literature.

Other Assignment Components

Assignment Description & Purpose
 Assignment Sheet
Project Responsibility Form
Character and Plot Development Worksheet
Audience Performance Evaluation
Group & Self Evaluations
Group Grading Rubric
Individual Grading Rubric

Handouts

Assignment Description & Purpose
Assignment Sheet
Project Responsibility Form
Character and Plot Development Worksheet
Audience Performance Evaluation
Group & Self Evaluations
Grading Rubrics