Romeo and Juliet 2.0 Design Project Theatre I 9 th Grade

Project Explanation This is a research and design unit. In any sort of design process, the final outcome is based on research and synthesis of that research. It is never a pure work of imagination in that there needs to be a justification and a functional purpose for the design(s). You will be designing 2 costumes and 1 unit set for a play that will not be staged. This will be a work of theory and application of research up through the design idea. You will only produce sketches.

Project Expectations You are designing 2 costumes and 1 multipurpose unit set for the play Romeo and Juliet-One Act in a displaced setting. You are not to set it in a traditional Renaissance setting. NO COPYING THE LEO R and J. A displaced setting is defined as putting the action of the play in a new, unique, and justifiable setting. For example, setting The Wizard of Oz in 1970s Harlem. You will need to read/refer to the play more than once for the research purposes. You are to provide visual research for each of your designs that supports your vision and intentions for your designs.

Project Expectations You are to provide written justifications of your designs that is based on research, and conclusions drawn based on research. Your final design sketches are to be done by hand and fully colored. They are to be based on your research, but not copies of your research. Your final project will be done in a google presentation format, but all renderings are to drawn and colored by hand. Your renderings will be scanned into your google presentation. You will present your research, designs, and justifications to your peers as your semester exam.

Costume Design Expectations You may design 2 costumes for 2 separate characters or 2 costumes for the same character (if applicable and/or justifiable). You are to provide a minimum of 3 pieces of visual research per costume. You are to explain color choices/scheme for each costume. What do the color choices project about the character(s)? Your costume renderings are to be drawn and fully colored by you. Keep and include all rough drafts for your designs in your process journal. This is part of the design process. Your justifications (explanations) must be based on research and informed opinions.

Set Design The final design of your set should be multipurpose to serve all the locations of the script. CONSIDER HOW IT WAS ORIGINALLY STAGED IN SHAKESPEARE’S TIME. HOW DID THEY STAGE ALL LOCATIONS ON ONE STAGE? You are to provide a minimum of 5 pieces of visual research for the set and/or set pieces/props. The set and its pieces/props are to be necessary and have purpose in the final design. Your set design is meant to serve and meet the needs of the play. You can take an abstract approach if you justify it. Your set renderings are to be drawn and fully colored by you. Keep and include all rough drafts for your designs in your process journal. This is part of the design process. Your justifications (explanations) must be based on research and not opinion.

Snapshot of project A power point containing: A justification of how and why you chose to displace the setting of the script the way you did. 2 fully rendered and colored costume designs with visual research and written justifications. 1 fully rendered and colored multipurpose set design with visual research and written justifications. A use of a wide variety of properly cited resources.

Checkpoint dates Thursday- November 19 th - Statement of Displacement Due (How you plan to displace Romeo and Juliet and why it will work.) Share presentation power point with Mr. Peebles: Wednesday December 2- All visual and written research is due. Monday-December 7 th -All hand drawn and fully colored renderings on 8 1/2’ x 11’ paper due. Thursday December 10 th -Full power point presentation due by end of class.

Costume Research example It is the east and Juliet is the sun. Another tragic love story that was translated for the screen was Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, interpreted by director Baz Luhrmann, which was a modern day story that kept the dialogue from the original literature. Costumes were a key component in establishing the modern time period of the film, and were used to reference the social class of each character. The movie is set in present day, in the hip city of “Verona Beach.” Leonardo DiCaprio, who plays Romeo, is a tortured romantic. Wearing a Hawaiin printed shirt, with dishelved hair, he captures the interest of all the women watching him. His gang of friends, with their neon hair, brightly colored shirts, and oversized guns, look like trouble.

An interesting choice of historical costume reference takes place at the Capulet party, where Romeo and Juliet are wearing costumes from the original time period in which the story is set. The design adds authenticity to the original language in which the plot of the play was set, and is a pivotal point in bringing in a connection for audiences from both time periods.

The vibrant colors, fast movement, and intensity showed the ferocity of the love story and heightened the drama, which culminated in an intense, neon-lit double suicide. The movie was a visual translation of Shakespeare’s historical masterpiece, brought to life with a young audience in mind. Entertaining, creative, and unique, the costumes were a key component in creating the world and developing the characters’ social identities within it.

Costume Rendering Example (A more traditional Romeo) AVOID! "Romeo Costume Design." Deviant Art. Deviantart.com. Web. 15 Nov

Baz Luhrman’s R and J (His vision, what’s yours?) Romeo-Final Product (not a sketch) Tybalt-Final Product (not a sketch) "MCM: Romeo Montague." Fash Haus. Wordpress.com, 8 Sept Web. 15 Nov

Gatsby-Same Designer as R and J Inspired by R and J "MCM: Romeo Montague." Fash Haus. Wordpress.com, 8 Sept Web. 15 Nov

Set Rendering Example (Multipurpose Set)

Juliet’s Funeral (Baz Luhrman’s Vision) "MCM: Romeo Montague." Fash Haus. Wordpress.com, 8 Sept Web. 15 Nov

Abstract set example (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time) Benedict, David. "‘Curious Incident’ Sweeps London’s Olivier Awards." Variety.com. Penske Business Media, 28 Apr Web. 15 Nov

Abstract and Multipurpose set for Romeo and Juliet "Elements of Drama." Elements of Drama. Googlesites. Web. 15 Nov

The Rubric Criterion A: Knowing and Understanding: The student clearly identifies and explains the vision for their displaced setting based on the needs of the script. Criterion B: Developing Skills: The research (both visual and written) clearly identify the intentions of the student’s work using a wide variety of properly cited resources. Criterion C: Thinking Creatively : The final designs arehand drawn and fully colored and, along with the justifications, demonstrate a clear use of research, the needs of the script, and a creative use and synthesis of research.