King Lear PROMPTBOOK INSTRUCTIONS
PROCEDURE:
DAY 1
1. Script Analysis: Your acting company should carefully read through and study your scene.
a. On the script given, circle any unfamiliar words and define them using a dictionary, the notes in your textbook,
or other resources provided.
b. Complete the “Company Report.”
c. You may choose to do your production with a traditional presentation (Elizabethan) or you may present your
scene in a different setting. Be sure to decide this before you continue!
2. Set design: Decide how you want to stage the scene and then draw the stage set including props, backdrop, etc. Make
one drawing, from the audience’s perspective,. For a finishing touch, write a key line from your scene under the set
design.
DAY 2
1. Blocking and Rehearsal: In the margins of your script:
a. Write your stage directions (movement) next to the appropriate lines for each character using the correct
drama terms (see additional handout). Don’t just note entrances and exits. Put notes for other types of
movements on the stage.
b. Make production notes for the way you need to portray your character. These notes should include how you
want the lines delivered, including: pauses, tone of voice, volume (shout, whisper, etc., who/what the character
looks at, gestures and facial expressions, etc.
c. Begin rehearsing your scene.
DAY 3 and 4
1. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse! Practice makes perfect!
TO BE COMPLETED AS HOMEWORK:
1. Character Analysis: Short essay on your individual character.
2. Costume Design: Decide how you will costume yourself for your role.
a. Provide a drawing or picture of your costume.
b. Write a brief justification (one paragraph) for why you think this costume should be in your performance. (If
you do the scene in modern dress or in another time period, describe the era and explain your reasons in a
second paragraph.)
c. Provide your own costume for your performance.
Please assemble your promptbook in the following order:
d. Cover (with a key line from your scene as the title and cast names.) Group assignment
e. Set design on computer paper (Group assignment) quote from scene at bottom
f. Costume drawing/description and justification, (individual assignment)
g. Script with notes (both stage directions and delivery of lines.) Group assignment (print scene from internet and
write on this)
h. “Company Report,” (group assignment)
i. “Character Analysis” (individual assignment)
j. Promptbook and performance Rubric.
Your Promptbook is DUE ON: ______________________________
Your Props, Scenery and Costumes are DUE ON: ___________________________________
Your Performance is DUE ON: _______________________________________
PROMPTBOOK Company Report and Scene Analysis
After you have read your scene aloud with your group twice, answer the following questions:
1. What is the name of your acting company?
2. What is a key line in your scene which will become the title of your scene
3. What happens in your scene? Outline the basic events (bulleted form is OK).
4. What do you think are the key purposes of your scene? (Keep these purposes in mind as you block
your scene.)
5. What are your reactions to this scene?
(What do you like about it? What is challenging about it? What emotions do you feel as you portray this
scene? What do you think the audience should feel as you portray this scene?)
6. How will you present this scene, traditionally (Elizabethan England) or in a different era and
location? Why?
7 Where does your scene take place?
8 What does your scene require in terms of scenery and who will provide them?
Scenery items:
Who will provide/make them:
9 What props does your scene require and who will provide them?
Props:
Who will provide/make them:
PROMPTBOOK Character Analysis ( 1-1.5 pages. This should be typed as a paper: 12 pt font double spaced.)
No matter how big or small the part, every actor needs to know the answers to the following questions.
Please address the following questions in a formal essay. These are questions to think about and put into a
structured paper. See format below:
5 pts. Intro
Introduce the name of the play (make sure it is underlined or in italics) and playwright. Briefly
summarize scene in one or two sentences. Introduce the character you are portraying and his
role/function in the scene.
5 pts First Body paragraph
1. What does your character want in this scene?
2. What is your character’s motivation for doing what he or she does
3. What obstacles stand in his or her way
4. What happens when your character confronts these obstacles?
5 pts Second body paragraph (or if appropriate combine in first paragraph)
What is your character thinking during the scene? (How does he or she react to the other characters
and events?
5 pts Third body paragraph
Mention any distinctive elements in your character’s way of speaking and how they help reveal
character. Do his or her lines contain imagery? Does character speak in verse, blank verse or prose?
How do the specific lines or words support your character’s personality? Mention irony, conflict, and
epiphany when appropriate. Discuss tone.
Make sure to include two specific quotes for this section.
No Need for Conclusion in this
5 pts writing is clear and quotes incorporated correctly. (1.4.34) (act.scene.line.)
25 pts total________________
Costume Design: One drawing or picture for each character
Name of Character:
Cast Member:
Acting Company:
Explain your choice of costume. How
does it fit your character in this scene?
Company Members:
Title of Scene:
PROMPTBOOK Scoring Sheet
Completeness
Company Report
15
Set Design Drawing with quote from scene
10
Production Notes on Script (stage directions and
delivery of lines,
20
Costume Drawing/Descriptions and
Justifications
10
Character Analysis
25
Effort/Correctness/Appearance/
10
TOTAL _____/90
Comments:
PERFORMANCE Scoring Sheet
Points
Possible
To what extent does the performance show:
Actor finds variety in delivery of lines that show understanding of the lines
and language. Good energy and focus during scene.
15
Well planned movements, use of props, costumes and scenery
15
TOTAL
Something Extra (memorization, sound effects, elaborate props, etc.)
Comments:
30
10
Points
Earned
Suggested Scenes.
• 1.1 35-213—Lear divides property
◦
Lear
◦
Goneril
◦
Cordelia
◦
Regan
◦
Kent
1.1 lines 214-310
Lear
Burgundy
France
Cordelia
1.2 Gloucester and Edmund
• 1.4—first half Kent rejoins Lear, Lear doesn’t like treatment at Goneril’s 1-192
◦
Lear
◦
Kent
◦
Fool doubles with Knight (borrow someone for Oswald)
◦
Knight
◦
Oswald
◦
• 1.4—194-370
◦
Lear
◦
Fool
◦
Goneril
◦
Albany
• 2.1—Edmund tricks Edgar into leaving, Gloucester orders Edgar killed, Edmund joins forces with Regan
◦
Edmund
◦
Gloucester
◦
Regan
◦
Cornwall
◦
Edgar
• 2.2—Kent fights with Oswald and Cornwall, put in stocks
◦
Oswald
◦
Kent
◦
Cornwall
◦
Regan
◦
Gloucester
• 2.4—Lear fights with Regan and Goneril 1-140
◦
Fool
◦
Lear
◦
Kent
◦
(Borrow a Gloucester)
• 2.4—Lear fights with Regan and Goneril, rushes out into storm 142-328
◦
Lear
◦
Regan
◦
Goneril
◦
Borrow Cornwall
•
• 3.2—Lear in the storm
◦
Lear
◦
Kent
◦
Fool
• 3.4—Lear and Kent meet disguised Edgar, Gloucester decides to help them
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Lear
Fool
Kent
Edgar
Gloucester
• 3.7—Regan and Cornwall blind Gloucester
◦
Gloucester
◦
Regan
◦
Cornwall
◦
Servant
Note: Could be done with 3 actors with lots of cutting
• 4.1—Edgar leads Gloucester to Dover (for this scene, whoever plays old man could analyze would either Edgar or
Gloucester)
◦
Edgar
◦
Gloucester
◦
Old Man
• 4.6— lines 1-205 Edgar pretends to aid Gloucester in suicide, meet Lear, Edgar kills Oswald (Gentleman/Oswald)
◦
Gloucester
◦
Edgar
◦
Lear
◦
4.6 225-315 Edgar kills Oswald
Gloucester
Edgar
Gentleman/Oswald
◦
• 5.3—end of play—195-394
◦
Edmund
◦
Lear
◦
Albany
◦
Edgar
◦
Kent