I just wanted to update you on what I've been doing.
People I've contacted:
- Mackenzie Larsen
- played Henry in the Henry V production we saw
This Review gives it a thumbs up. I personally don't fully agree with it.
http://utahtheatrebloggers.com/14699/henry-v-at-byu-stays-faithful-to-shakespeare
I am waiting for a response:
- Megan Sanborn Jones
- directed same show.
- Kisten Leinbach
- actor in the show:
Loosely, my paper is on the effectiveness of child targeted Shakespeare productions. Should I stick to Henry V? Or broaden it to history plays? Idk. Obviously, I've been terrible with bringing in ANYTHING from the primary text. I want to wait to formulate a rigid thesis after I ask what there goals were or their productions. I want to see if these shows were a success or a flop first.
I think it would be interesting to track down some teachers at the schools they went to and ask them what their kids thought of it/ if they learned anything from it. Of course the actors and production team are going to defend their work.. so I need an even audience/argument.
I think it would be interesting to track down some teachers at the schools they went to and ask them what their kids thought of it/ if they learned anything from it. Of course the actors and production team are going to defend their work.. so I need an even audience/argument.
After Asking my homie and roommate Merridee "So, do you think that Child Targeted Shakespeare plays are successful?:
"No. Kids don't really pay attention. Kids don't really know much about Shakespeare to begin with so it makes it harder. I saw Richard III when I was 12. I had no idea what was going on. The language didn't make sense. I didnt know the plot to begin with. I was super confused. All I remember is that he was a 'disfigured man'." (This was at the Ashland Shakespeare festival in Oregon.)
There you go. I feel like there's a good argument here.
I think the next thing I need to figure out is this:
"If I were to put on a production of Henry V targeted toward a child audience...":
There you go. I feel like there's a good argument here.
I think the next thing I need to figure out is this:
"If I were to put on a production of Henry V targeted toward a child audience...":
- What specific themes would I want them to understand?
- What scenes in particular would I feel important that they understood?
- St. Crispian's Day
- Execution of Gray, Cambridge, Scroop
- Execution of Bardoff
- How would I accomplish these things?
That's all for now.
Whether or not a child relates to a performance of any kind depends on a lot of factors, such as how much attention they're paying and whether or not they can relate. I think you should spread out if possible, but I think you could at least use the BYU Henry V as a case study for your paper.
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