Macbeth Creative Project
Choose one of the following projects to create. Be prepared to not only present your project, but also to be able to give a detailed explanation of your project and how it shows your understanding of Macbeth.
In addition, you will write an essay (about 3 pages double-spaced) that explains how your project shows your understanding of Macbeth. It should include quotations to support your argument as well as specific examples from your project. Your thesis should include both your project and the play: (This project demonstrates ______in Shakespeare’s Macbeth by ______). Use all of the same good essay writing skills you used in your last essay (you might even want to refer to the assignment sheet for some happy reminders).
Note: if you have a group project, you need to write your essay individually.
- Videotape a scene (5-6 minutes). You should consider sound effects, lighting, and other staging details. The scene you choose cannot be the one you rehearsed earlier in class. Please make sure that your DVD or cassette works on my player before you present. (You may work in groups of up to four for this one)
- Create an audio performance (using GarageBand or other Audacity or other program) of a scene (5-6 minutes). Think about how to use music, voice and sound effects to help create the mood of the scene. (Group or individual)
- Atmosphere is very important in the staging of Macbeth. Imagine that you are directing a production of this play. What atmosphere would you want to create and what theatrical devices (sound, lighting, costumes, make-up) would you use? (Individual)
- Rewrite an important scene as it would be done today. Use contemporary language and situations. Do not just paraphrase and put in modern language—really rework the scene so that it is a plausible situation in today’s world (i.e. probably not sword fights or thanes) (Individual)
- Draw, paint, sculpt (or use any other medium) to depict a scene in Macbeth. Do not choose this project if visual art is not a vehicle for you to truly express yourself. (Individual)
- Write and perform a piece of music to be used in a movie version of Macbeth. Do not choose this project if performance art is not a vehicle for you to truly express yourself. (Individual)
- Find a piece of music (any genre from any time period that is school appropriate) that has similar themes, characters, and ideas to Macbeth. Use the song like a poem and help us understand the play through the song. Type out the lyrics; include the artist, title, album, and year. (Hint: many students have done a 2 column presentation with lyrics on one side and passages from Macbeth on the other—it’s worked well.) Also bring the music to listen to in class! (Individual)
- You have been asked to make a soundtrack for the new movie version of the play Macbeth. Choose music that would be appropriate for each major scene in the movie/play (appropriate for school) and bring to class to listen to. Type out the key words from each song if there are lyrics. Burn on CD so that we can skip quickly from piece to piece. (Individual)
- Create another option and get it approved by me (dance, poetry, monologues) before you start.
Due ______
Pomerantz
Honors English II