We had an interesting experience transferring the Shakespeare play into something of our own. I personally hate doing plays (The main reason I didn’t join drama) so this was horrific news when I found out about it (Oh yeah the reason why I hate it is because it makes me really stressed out and if you don’t me I am always stressed). Basically what we had to do was pick a scene from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, and modernize the script into how we are making it. At first we wanted to do stereotypical Starbucks girls, but that would have made people laugh and its supposed to be a tragedy not a comedy. So we quickly changed it to Highschool jocks. At one point we had to do Rock Paper Scissors over who got a part and I won so I got to be a homeless person, I was pretty satisfied with my role because I got to say “Beware the Ides of March” in modern language, Which is “Watch out for March 15th”, basically.
We worked hard on the script and thought up what the costumes were going to look like, I got to wear my super baggy hoodie that my mom hates, I don’t really care for the colour but it’s super comfy. We made good props and when the final day came we did pretty good and nobody forgot there lines which was good.
After we finished the play Ms. Willemse (If you don’t know, she’s our teacher) had this Idea that maybe we should do the plays in front of the parents which she thought was great but a lot of people didn’t like the Idea. We were going to do it but it got postponed for a while then she said we weren’t going to do it and everybody was relieved.
This is our script (I don’t expect you to read the whole thing or any of it for that matter because it’s over a 1000 words)
Act I Scene II
Setting: Sand Dollars
Sand Dollars
–
Characters:
Caesar= Julian Caesar= Alex
Brutus= Brock= Robbie
Antony=Anthony= Will
Soothsayer= Hobo= Ethan =Jim Prescott
Calpurnia=Cristina = Tatum
Cassius=Chuck= Angela
Props
-Empty can
-Coins
-Plastic coffee cup X6
-Toy cash register
-Counter or shelf (we could use a table from school)
-Table cloths that match the colours in the logo (Angela might be able to provide that)
Strong Visuals
-Creative Commons
-High-Res
-Edit/Improve the pictures
-Tell a story
-creativity➡️not generic
-coherence
-adds to the scene (theme)➡️destiny
GUYS IT WAS NOT ME ON VISUALS
Script
-Update language to modern
-Sense of theme➡️destiny
-Reflect original characters, tone
-Realistic
Script:
Welcome to a modernized version of a scene from William Shaskpere’s “Julius Caesar.” This Act one Scene two.
Starbucks.
Enter Julian,Brock, Anthony
start at top stage right, walk as group to centre stage
walk in quietly talking
Anthony : Shut up, guys! Julian is talking.
Julian : Yeah guys, listen for a sec. Where’s Cristina?
enter Cristina
Cristina : I’m here, sorry, my latte wasn’t vegan. Disgusting.
Julian : Guys, let’s go stand near the entrance, the Uber will be here soon to pick us up and take us to the basketball court. And Cristina, come here. I have to ask you something.
Cristina: Okay!
-Cristina walks over to Julian (front stage left)- Group walks towards front stage right
Cristina: What’s up?
Julian: You know the huge math exam coming up?
Cristina: Yeah, of course! I’ve been freaking out all weekend about studying!
When Brock takes the test, give him a cheat sheet or something with some wrong answers.
Cristina: A cheat sheet? What if he doesn’t take it?
Julian: Trust me, he’ll take it. He’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Anyways, we’re both up for team captain, and it requires top grades. If he fails the test and I ace it, I’m pretty sure I’m guaranteed to be the next captain.
Cristina: Okay, I guess I’ll work on it. I don’t think Brock will have a chance, but make sure you study hard because I’m not risking suspension if you don’t try to ace your own test.
Julian : Thanks. Trust me, I’ll be fine.
Julian looks to group
Julian: I think I see the Uber, let’s go.
-group walks out of Sand Dollars to top stage left.-
Enter Hobo centre stage.
Hobo : Hey, kids.
-everyone looks at hobo strangely, then ignores him and continues with their conversation.-
Hobo: Helloooo? Are your ears working?
Julian : What do you want? Money? Sorry, I just spent my last dollar.
Hobo : I don’t want your money, kid. I’m just here to give you a warning, watch out for the 15th of March! -winks-
Julian: (laughs) I think you’re just crazy. Does somebody have a dollar for this poor man?
Cristina: Guys, I think that’s supposed to be a fortune or something. I saw something on fortunes on This documentary one time 3 years ago. It was weird.
Anthony: It’s not a fortune, he’s just weird. Let’s go.
Hobo: You’ll thank me later!
Brock : (throws dollar in Hobo’s cup) See you at school, I think I’m gonna stay behind. I saw one of my friends from the basketball team in there.
Anthony: Okay, see you later.
Exit, Cristina Anthony, and Julian
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Brock renters Sand Dollars
Enter Chuck
Chuck : Hey, Brock! Over here!
-Brock walks over to his friend, centre stage.
Brock : Hey Chuck.
Chuck : You studied for the exam? Apparently it’s worth like, 75 percent of our grade. Brock : Yeah, dude. I still have to cover a few concepts but I should be ok. You?
Chuck : I’m all good, that stuff comes naturally to me.
Brock: Wow, lucky. I have to study my butt off.
Chuck: Are you okay? You’ve seemed stressed since Julian became interested in being captain of the basketball team, and if you fail the exam, coach may not play you in the next big game, or consider you for captain.
Brock : I know, I know. And trust me, I’m not stressed about Julian. He’s only up for captain because of the popularity. If I look stressed, it’s not for that reason, I’ve just been stressed out about life lately. You know, parents and stuff.
Chuck :Wow bro, you’re deeper than the Pacific Ocean. I get it. You’re also smart, so don’t beat yourself up over whatever it is. You’re a good guy, bro. The team needs you. Ignore the stress, and just make sure you do well on that exam.
Brock : Yeah, my confidence isn’t all that great lately. My only accomplishments are through basketball and our team. I’m not smart or anything, I can only dribble a rubber ball.
Chuck : Stay positive man. You can do more than just play basketball. You need to gain some confidence.
—————————————————————————
Brock : What are you even talking about? I’m known as a dumb jock, that’s it.
Chuck : I can help you be more than that, we can study for the test together. I can’t promise a miracle though.
Brock: Thanks bro, you’re a lifesaver.
—————————————————————————
A basketball court.
Enter Anthony, Julian, Cristina clapping for Julian while he shoots baskets.
Brock : Why are they cheering? He’s shooting from the free throw line. Cristina could get that in.
Cristina: Hey!
Brock: Well sorry, but you’re not all that athletic.
Chuck: I think they decided to make Julian the basketball captain. Sorry bro, I know you didn’t want that to happen.
Brock : Already? Coach was supposed to decide next week! He’s not ready, he only likes basketball because it brings major popularity. He’s not passionate and doesn’t care about the school’s reputation like I do!
Chuck: Apparently Coach sent out an email. He said he thinks that Julian is the type of lead this team needs. What are you gonna do? He’s going to ruin our team. You have to figure something out.
Brock: Maybe, but I’m not sure. You know I would do it in a heartbeat if it would help the team, even if it means I’d be kicked off, but I don’t want to mess up my friendship with Julian. He’s a good guy, even though he’s selfish.
Chuck : I know that you would do anything for the team, so here’s your chance to prove it. Friends come and go, ball is life.
—————————————————————————
A public place.(The basketball court)
Chuck : You know, we’re not that different than Julian. Sure, he’s popular and now he’s captain, but I think he’s just a normal guy.
Brock: (laugh) Right. If we were equal, I’m sure you’d be captain, and he wouldn’t be so popular.
Chuck: We may not be the same as him socially, but basketball wise, we are, if not better. In fact, in the summer when we were at camp, I played a few games with him, one on one. He totally sucked, he played like a third grader. He took a free throw and the ball bounced back and hit him straight on the forehead. How does someone like that become captain?
STOP HERE.
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