Presentation Task 3: Exploration of Key Scenes

This task allows students to perform a key scene from the play and requires consideration of characterisation, staging, creation of dramatic tension and climax. However, groups may choose to improvise around the scene as opposed to learning lines directly from the script if they so wish. Furthermore, groups may incorporate a variety of conventions from those listed below to adapt their presentation of the scene in whatever way they choose. The aim is to be as original and inventive as possible. The final version of the scene should last approximately 5 minutes.

The Girls Alone in Betty’s Room (Pages 25-27) Abigail, Mercy, Mary, Betty.

The Manipulation of the Court (Pages 100-104) Hale, Abigail, Susanna, Mercy, Betty, Mary, Proctor, Parris, Danforth.

Proctor’s Confession (Pages 123-126) Danforth, Cheever, Proctor, Parris, Hale, Rebecca, Elizabeth.

Groups may choose to work on an alternative extract from the play other than those allocated here.

Within the performed section groups may consider incorporating examples of the following:

EXPLORATIVE STRATEGIES

          • Thought-tracking
          • Narrating
          • Marking the moment

THE DRAMA MEDIUM

          • The use of space and/or levels
          • The use of voice
          • The use of spoken language

THE ELEMENTS OF DRAMA

          • Action/Plot/Content
          • Forms (the way in which the story is told)
          • Climax/Anti-climax (building and/or releasing tension in the              drama)
          • Rhythm/Pace/Tempo (the rate at which the action moves              along and the extent to which this changes)
          • Characterisation (portraying a role using vocal and              physical skills)
          • Conventions (e.g. freeze-frames, audience asides,              soliloquy)

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