Act One Text and Subtext Context is all
Act One – Text and Subtext ‘Context is all’ The Crucible
Can you remember: 1. Which two characters were having an affair? 2. What are the names of the sick girls? 3. Why do the Putnams think the girls are sick? 4. What is Paris’ job? 5. Why does Abigail threaten her friends? 6. Why might Tituba have confessed? 7. Who is John Proctor married to? 8. What is the name of Paris’ slave?
Task: To produce: • A role play or series of still images that show the key parts of your scene • A thought for each character in each image, using the characters voice – “I……” • A narrator Inquiry Question: • How can we show the tension on stage using PROXEMICS in ROLE PLAY and STILL IMAGE?
Text and Subtext A – Hi B- Hi A – How are you? B – I’m ok A – What’s going on? B – Nothing A – Nothing? B – Well, nothing that would interest you…
Text and Subtext Now act out the script again with the following subtexts: A – Hi B- Hi A – How are you? B – I’m ok A – What’s going on? B – Nothing A – Nothing? 1. A teacher catches a pupil in suspicious circumstances. 2. Two old friends who have not seen each other for years. 3. The morning after a family argument. 4. A first date B – Well, nothing that would interest you…
Think Pair Share Answer the following with your partner: 1. What did you have to change in each version to communicate meaning? 2. Which scene was most interesting? Why? 3. How would you define SUBTEXT in drama?
Now a Scene from The Crucible Use your knowledge of Act One characters to stage one of the following conversations: • Elizabeth and Proctor talk about their days at work on the farm / in the house – They are trying to rebuild their marriage after the affair. • Abigail and Elizabeth meet in the streets of Salem – Abigail doesn’t know that Elizabeth knows about the affair! • Proctor and Parris meet after the Church service on Sunday. Parris asks John a lot of questions about why he hasn’t been to church lately. Both men are suspicious of each other – Parris knows about the affair, but Proctor doesn’t know this!
Extension: • Now play the same scenes again, using the same dialogue, but as though the affair hasn’t happened. What changes will you make?
Evaluate: • How well did they stage the SUBTEXT – Make a comment on; • Use of space, • Voice, • Body language • Gesture.
- Slides: 9