Hamlet: Directing and Adapting a Scene for the Stage
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can a director's creative choices in staging, costuming, and acting transform a scene from Hamlet to impact a modern audience's understanding of the play?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How do directors make choices about staging, costuming, and acting?
- What is Shakespearean drama and how can it be adapted?
- How does the director's interpretation impact the audience's understanding?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will adapt a scene from Hamlet.
- Students will stage and film their adaptation.
- Students will present their adaptation to the class.
- Students will analyze how creative choices in staging, costuming, and acting transform a scene from Hamlet to impact a modern audience's understanding of the play.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of Shakespearean drama and how it can be adapted.
- Students will understand how a director's interpretation impacts the audience's understanding.
- Students will make informed choices about staging, costuming, and acting in their adaptation.
- Students will collaborate effectively as a team to bring their creative vision to life.
- Students will utilize film techniques to enhance their adaptation's storytelling and impact.
- Students will reflect on their creative process and the choices they made as directors, considering the impact on the audience's interpretation of the scene.
- Students will develop their skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative expression through the process of adapting and staging a Shakespearean play.
- Students will enhance their communication and presentation skills by articulating their creative choices and the reasoning behind them to their classmates.
- Students will cultivate an appreciation for the art of directing and the transformative power of creative interpretation in theater.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsHamlet Remixed: A Comparative Analysis
Present the class with several drastically different film adaptations of the same scene from 'Hamlet' (e.g., a traditional version, a modern setting, an animated take). After viewing, initiate a class discussion on the impact of directorial choices.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Director's Vision: Staging, Costuming, & Acting Choices
Students will develop a comprehensive director's notebook, including scene sketches, costume designs, and actor profiles to inform their staging choices.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA complete director's notebook containing visual and written plans for the scene's staging.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will make informed choices about staging, costuming, and acting in their adaptation.Lights, Camera, Action: Filming the Adaptation
Students will rehearse and film their adapted scene, experimenting with different camera angles, shot types, and editing techniques to enhance the scene's emotional impact.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA filmed adaptation of the chosen scene from 'Hamlet'.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will stage and film their adaptation; Students will utilize film techniques to enhance their adaptation's storytelling and impact.Scene Selection & Adaptation Proposal
Students will choose a scene from Hamlet and create a modern adaptation proposal, detailing changes to setting, character, and dialogue while maintaining the original scene's core themes.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed adaptation proposal outlining changes to the scene and rationale for these changes.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will adapt a scene from Hamlet; Students will demonstrate an understanding of Shakespearean drama and how it can be adapted.Premiere & Reflection: Sharing the Director's Vision
Students will present their filmed adaptation to the class, followed by a Q&A session where they will discuss their directorial choices, the challenges they faced, and the impact of their adaptation on the audience's understanding of the play.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA class presentation of the filmed adaptation, accompanied by a director's statement and Q&A session.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will present their adaptation to the class; Students will reflect on their creative process and the choices they made as directors, considering the impact on the audience's interpretation of the scene.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioHamlet Adaptation Portfolio Rubric
Adaptation Proposal
Assesses the quality and rationale behind the adaptation proposal.Adaptation and Modernization
The adaptation thoughtfully modernizes the scene while preserving the original themes and conflicts.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe adaptation is a highly creative and innovative reimagining of the scene, seamlessly blending modern elements with the original themes to create a powerful and relevant interpretation.
Proficient
3 PointsThe adaptation demonstrates a clear understanding of the original scene's themes and effectively incorporates modern elements to enhance its relevance and accessibility.
Developing
2 PointsThe adaptation attempts to modernize the scene, but struggles to balance modern elements with the original themes, resulting in some inconsistencies or a diluted interpretation.
Beginning
1 PointsThe adaptation fails to effectively modernize the scene or preserve the original themes, resulting in a disjointed and confusing interpretation.
Rationale and Clarity
The proposal clearly articulates the intended changes to the setting, characters, and dialogue, and provides a strong rationale for each choice.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe proposal is exceptionally well-articulated and provides a compelling rationale for each change, demonstrating a deep understanding of the scene's nuances and the impact of the adaptations.
Proficient
3 PointsThe proposal is clear, concise, and provides a solid rationale for each change, demonstrating a good understanding of the scene and the impact of the adaptations.
Developing
2 PointsThe proposal is somewhat vague or incomplete, and the rationale for some changes is unclear or unsubstantiated.
Beginning
1 PointsThe proposal lacks clarity and provides little to no rationale for the changes, demonstrating a limited understanding of the scene and the impact of the adaptations.
Director's Notebook
Evaluates the director's notebook and its contents.Vision and Comprehensiveness
The director's notebook demonstrates a clear and comprehensive vision for the staging, costuming, and acting choices in the adaptation.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe director's notebook is an exceptional and meticulously detailed guide to the staging process, demonstrating a profound understanding of the scene and a clear, innovative vision for its adaptation.
Proficient
3 PointsThe director's notebook provides a thorough and well-organized guide to the staging process, demonstrating a strong understanding of the scene and a clear vision for its adaptation.
Developing
2 PointsThe director's notebook is somewhat incomplete or disorganized, and the vision for the staging process is not fully developed.
Beginning
1 PointsThe director's notebook is rudimentary and lacks a clear vision for the staging process.
Scene Sketches
The scene sketches are detailed and effectively communicate the intended camera angles, actor placement, and overall visual aesthetic.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe scene sketches are artistically exceptional and powerfully convey the intended atmosphere and visual dynamics of the scene.
Proficient
3 PointsThe scene sketches are detailed, well-composed, and effectively communicate the intended visual aspects of the scene.
Developing
2 PointsThe scene sketches are somewhat rudimentary or lack detail, and the intended visual aspects of the scene are not fully realized.
Beginning
1 PointsThe scene sketches are basic and fail to effectively communicate the intended visual aspects of the scene.
Costume Designs
The costume designs are creative and well-executed, reflecting the characters' personalities and roles in the scene.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe costume designs are exquisitely detailed and strikingly original, brilliantly reflecting the characters' inner lives and enhancing the scene's overall impact.
Proficient
3 PointsThe costume designs are well-conceived and effectively reflect the characters' personalities and roles in the scene.
Developing
2 PointsThe costume designs are somewhat generic or lack detail, and do not fully reflect the characters' personalities and roles in the scene.
Beginning
1 PointsThe costume designs are basic and fail to effectively reflect the characters' personalities and roles in the scene.
Actor Profiles
The actor profiles demonstrate a deep understanding of the characters and provide valuable insights into the actors' planned portrayals.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe actor profiles reveal an extraordinarily insightful and nuanced understanding of the characters, providing actors with profound guidance for their portrayals.
Proficient
3 PointsThe actor profiles provide a clear and insightful understanding of the characters and offer valuable guidance for the actors' portrayals.
Developing
2 PointsThe actor profiles are somewhat superficial or lack detail, and do not provide a comprehensive understanding of the characters or guidance for the actors' portrayals.
Beginning
1 PointsThe actor profiles are rudimentary and fail to provide a clear understanding of the characters or guidance for the actors' portrayals.
Filmed Adaptation
Assesses the quality of the filmed adaptation.Cinematic Techniques
The filmed adaptation demonstrates creative use of camera angles, shot types, and editing techniques to enhance the scene's atmosphere and emotional impact.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe filmed adaptation is a cinematic masterpiece, demonstrating a masterful command of camera angles, shot types, and editing techniques to create a truly unforgettable and emotionally resonant experience.
Proficient
3 PointsThe filmed adaptation effectively utilizes camera angles, shot types, and editing techniques to enhance the scene's atmosphere and emotional impact.
Developing
2 PointsThe filmed adaptation attempts to utilize camera angles, shot types, and editing techniques, but the execution is inconsistent or ineffective.
Beginning
1 PointsThe filmed adaptation makes little to no use of camera angles, shot types, or editing techniques, resulting in a static and unengaging viewing experience.
Acting Performances
The acting performances are believable and engaging, effectively conveying the characters' emotions and motivations.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe acting performances are captivating and transformative, fully embodying the characters and drawing the audience into their world with unparalleled authenticity and emotional depth.
Proficient
3 PointsThe acting performances are believable, engaging, and effectively convey the characters' emotions and motivations.
Developing
2 PointsThe acting performances are inconsistent or lack emotional depth, and do not fully convey the characters' emotions or motivations.
Beginning
1 PointsThe acting performances are unconvincing and fail to effectively convey the characters' emotions or motivations.
Production Quality
The overall production quality of the filmed adaptation is high, with clear audio, sharp visuals, and effective use of music and sound effects.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe filmed adaptation is a polished and professional production, showcasing exceptional attention to detail in every aspect of its execution, from sound and visuals to music and sound effects.
Proficient
3 PointsThe filmed adaptation is of high production quality, with clear audio, sharp visuals, and effective use of music and sound effects.
Developing
2 PointsThe filmed adaptation suffers from some technical issues, such as muffled audio, blurry visuals, or ineffective use of music and sound effects.
Beginning
1 PointsThe filmed adaptation is of poor production quality, with significant technical issues that detract from the viewing experience.
Presentation & Reflection
Assesses the quality of the group presentation, Q&A session, and director's statement.Presentation Quality
The group presentation is engaging and informative, effectively communicating the group's creative vision and key directorial choices.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe group presentation is a captivating and insightful exploration of the creative process, leaving the audience with a profound understanding of the group's vision and the impact of their directorial choices.
Proficient
3 PointsThe group presentation is engaging, informative, and effectively communicates the group's creative vision and key directorial choices.
Developing
2 PointsThe group presentation is somewhat disorganized or lacks clarity, and does not fully communicate the group's creative vision or key directorial choices.
Beginning
1 PointsThe group presentation is uninspired and fails to effectively communicate the group's creative vision or key directorial choices.
Q&A Participation
The group members actively participate in the Q&A session, providing thoughtful and insightful answers to questions about the adaptation process and creative choices.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe group members demonstrate exceptional eloquence and insight in the Q&A session, providing answers that are both informative and thought-provoking, leaving the audience with a deeper appreciation for the group's creative process.
Proficient
3 PointsThe group members actively participate in the Q&A session, providing thoughtful and insightful answers to questions about the adaptation process and creative choices.
Developing
2 PointsThe group members participate minimally in the Q&A session, providing brief or superficial answers to questions about the adaptation process and creative choices.
Beginning
1 PointsThe group members are reluctant to participate in the Q&A session or are unable to provide meaningful answers to questions about the adaptation process and creative choices.
Director's Statement
The director's statement provides a thoughtful and insightful reflection on the creative process, the challenges faced, and the lessons learned from the experience.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe director's statement is an exceptionally articulate and profound reflection on the creative journey, revealing deep personal insights and leaving the reader with a lasting appreciation for the director's artistic vision.
Proficient
3 PointsThe director's statement provides a thoughtful and insightful reflection on the creative process, the challenges faced, and the lessons learned from the experience.
Developing
2 PointsThe director's statement is somewhat superficial or lacks depth, and does not fully explore the creative process, challenges faced, or lessons learned.
Beginning
1 PointsThe director's statement is rudimentary and fails to provide a meaningful reflection on the creative process, challenges faced, or lessons learned.