MEMORANDUM TO: All Shakespeare Participants

MEMORANDUM

TO: All Shakespeare Participants

FROM: Mrs. Ecker

RE: Shakespeare

DATE: January 3, 2017

This is . . . (almost) everything that you will need to know about our Shakespeare Monologue/Scene contest:

. All lines are to be memorized as of Friday, January 20.

 We have a coaching session arranged at the Pittsburgh Public Theater (also known as the O’Reilly Theater) on Tuesday, January 24. We will leave Boyce at 8:45 a.m. and return by 12:15 p.m. The purpose of the coaching session is purely instructional. The coaches are often also the judges, so their input is invaluable. Dress comfortably and casually. Pack a lunch! Bring your scripts and a pencil.

 Our competition date is Tuesday, February 7, 2017. We will leave for the Public Theater directly from Boyce at 8:40 a.m. When we are done at the theater, we will eat lunch at Bado’s in Mt. Lebanon after the competition; the cost of lunch is $14.00 (this includes gratuity). You may give your lunch money to Mrs. Ecker at any time prior to Feb. 7. If you do not wish to purchase lunch, you should pack a lunch that day and you may eat your packed lunch at Bado’s. (Your parents are welcome to come to the O’Reilly to watch your scene or monologue. However, your parents will need to provide their own transportation to the O’Reilly. Our competition time at the O’Reilly is 9:30 a.m. Usually Boyce is scheduled first, with Ft. Couch following us, followed by USC High School, and then we will go for lunch, probably somewhere around 12:15. Parents are also welcome to join us for lunch at Bado’s, same cost per person.)

 Please read the “No Fear Shakespeare” (or its comparable) for your play, as is linked on the Gifted website. It is also helpful if you watch a true version of the play you have chosen as the source of your scene.  Generic costuming in the form of a comfortable black outfit that can fit into virtually all roles is recommended for the competition. Props are discouraged; if needed, they should be kept to a minimum and are your responsibility to make or get.

 Please remember: no lines will be prompted for you at the competition. If you make a mistake, just go with it. If others are in your scene, you are to help each other so that it seems like everything was planned to be. If you are doing a monologue, just go along with your mistake, pause in character if necessary, and then resume where you need to be. These judges do not have scripts in front of them, and chances are that they do not know all of these lines word for word. Whether speaking or just standing, you must show that you understand your character and you must convey this character with Shakespearean flair and ease. Remember that all movement must have reason, and your voice must be heard. Act (and think) your character before you begin speaking. Be clear and loud, pause when effective; do not rush through this. (Judging criteria for both monologues and scenes are: understanding of text, emotional connectedness, character development, and physical and vocal performance.)

 In order for you to attend the competition as well as the coaching session, you must have a parent sign the attached permission slip and return it to me by Friday, Jan. 20. Without this slip, you cannot leave Boyce.

 I am continuing to schedule specific times just for you and your scene or monologue, but you may come to the Challenge Room to practice during any of the Shakespeare windows.

 SINCE THIS IS A WINTER COMPETITION and we never know what the weather will do, if there is a delay or cancellation on the day of the coaching session or the competition, check the gifted website for the most current information as to our plan. The competition and/or the coaching session are subject to change if we have a delay or cancellation of school due to weather, and I will keep our website updated for your information.

As always, if you have any questions, please see me or email me. (Please return this entire sheet to Mrs. Ecker by Friday, January 20. You are to keep the memo for your information.)

Permission Slip

______has my permission to participate in the

Shakespeare Monologue/Scene Contest sponsored by the

Pittsburgh Public Theater.

My signature indicates permission to participate in the coaching session on Tuesday, January 24, 2017, and the competition on

Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, both at the O’Reilly Theater. I understand that the

District will provide transportation.

______Parent’s signature Parent cell phone contact :______