Skit: The Great Gatsby in the Roaring Twenties
I.Context:
Over the past several weeks
we have been examining the 1920's
through reading The Great Gatsby,
reading about the social and cultural
issues of the decade. To bring this
decade to life, you will be participating
in a culminating group project.
II. Product:
Your group will recreate and
perform a scene from The Great
Gatsby. You will also demonstrate
knowledge of the decade by
incorporating props, backdrops, and
costumes into your skit. The
performance should be a minimum of 5
MINUTES LONG.
III. Audience: Your American Literature Class
IV. Assessment:
This project will be scored according to The Great Gatsby skit scoring guide.
V. Point Value:
Points will be earned in the following manner:
Daily participation in skit creation and design (individual assessment)
Script quality--10 points (group assessment)
Costumes, props, etc.--15 points (group assessment)
Skit performance--25 points (individual assessment) Individuals must be
present on performance day.
Scenes
Scene I: The party scene at Tom and Daisy Buchanan's described in Chapter One
--beginning with Nick arriving at the Buchanan's house
--ending with Daisy saying, "sophisticated-God I'm sophisticated!"
Scene II: Party scene in New York City described in Chapter Two
--beginning with "the puppy scene"
--ending with the narrator waiting for the four o'clock train
Scene III: The first party at Gatsby's mansion described in Chapter Three
--beginning with the narrator searching for the party's host
--ending with the butler announcing a phone call from Philadelphia
and the host leaving his guests
Scene IV:
The scene where Nick and Gatsby drive into New York and meet Meyer
Wolfsheim described in Chapter Four
--beginning with Gatsby's car lurching up Nick's drive at 9:00 a.m.
--ending with Gatsby leaving the restaurant after meeting Tom
Scene V: The reunion at the narrator's cottage described in Chapter Five
--beginning with the narrator phoning "an invitation to tea"
--ending with "the shirt scene"
Scene VI: The last party at the Buchanan's that moved into New York City described in Chapter
Seven
--beginning with "the kiss"
--ending with Daisy storming from the party
Day One: Reread the scene as a group and outline the key events. Then build a script using
dialogue from the novel and the “slang” handout. Before you actually start creating anything,
write a detailed list of props, costumes, and backdrop ideas. (A good idea is to create a
backdrop on PowerPoint). Assign someone to type the script and make copies for the group.
Day Two: Practice!
Day Three: Perform!
The Great Gatsby
Skit Grading Form
1.
Script Quality (group)
_______/10pts.
2.
Costumes, props, backdrops, etc. (group)
_______/15pts.
3. Skit performance: knowledge of lines, eye contact, voce projection, blocking, portrayal of
character (individual)
Names of students/roles
a._________________________________
b._________________________________
c._________________________________
d._________________________________
e._________________________________
_______/25
_______/25
_______/25
_______/25
_______/25
Total:_________/50
An excellent skit has:
 Well-rehearsed, memorized lines; no awkward phrases or "speed bumps."
 Clearly articulated, enunciated lines, plenty of volume, excellent eye contact
 Strong portrayal of characters
 Excellent blocking and movement of the actors; well-planned use of the stage
 Strong transitions between scenes
 Superior use of creative and original costumes, props, and backdrops
 Equal participation by all group members