Embedded Files
Goals
Goals
- Experience a piece of theatre
- Deepen the experience through reflection, playwriting, performance, and art-making
- Explore the themes of soliloquy and set design
Scroll down for a video and corresponding activities. You can replay the link for reference as you experience the activities below.
Scroll down for a video and corresponding activities. You can replay the link for reference as you experience the activities below.
Performance Video
Performance Video
In this video, Druid Theatre Company actor Aaron Monaghan delivers a Richard III soliloquy in NYC's Central Park. Druid Theater Company is an Irish based theater company who also tour their productions globally. The company performed Richard III at Lincoln Center in November 2019 as part of White Light Festival. Richard III is a Shakespearean tragedy of Richard III and his rise to power.
Warm Up
Warm Up
Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola
First, let’s warm-up the face. Pucker your lips and then relax them. Gently massage the hinge of your jaw with small circles. Work the tongue by sticking it out and then up and down. Wiggle your tongue side to side.
Now, let’s warm-up the tip of the tongue. Repeat the following sound : “duh” several times. How high and low can your “duh” go? Do the same with the following sound : “tuh”.
Warm-up the sides of the tongue with the following short phrase : “yo-yah”. Perform this phrase in a whisper and then a shout.
Articulation is essential! Repeat the following tongue twisters slowly and clearly.
“Whether the weather be cold
Or whether the weather be hot
We'll be together, whatever the weather
Whether we like it or not.”
Reflection / Discussion
Reflection / Discussion
What do you notice about the actor’s physical performance?
How would you describe his movement?
How would you describe his varied facial expressions?
What is he wearing? Would you consider it a costume?
2. What did you notice about the actor’s voice?
How would you describe Monaghan’s vocal quality?
What emotions did he convey through his voice?
3. Look at the setting, Central Park.
How would you describe this setting?
Does the setting match the soliloquy?
If you could change the setting, where would you stage this passage from Richard III?
Playwriting
Playwriting
A soliloquy is a speech in which a character --alone on stage-- gives their concealed thoughts and reflections to the audience. Using Shakespeare’s text and Aaron Monaghan’s performance for inspiration, let’s craft our own soliloquy! You can write your responses on paper or print out the document below.
A soliloquy is a speech in which a character --alone on stage-- gives their concealed thoughts and reflections to the audience. Using Shakespeare’s text and Aaron Monaghan’s performance for inspiration, let’s craft our own soliloquy! You can write your responses on paper or print out the document below.
Activity Video
Activity Video
This video will take you through the extension activity below with a facilitator. You can choose to watch the video and do the activity along with it. Or, you can read the activity and participate by scrolling down.
Optional Extension Activity
Optional Extension Activity
Perform your soliloquy. Things to consider while you perform:
Perform your soliloquy. Things to consider while you perform:
- How are you using your voice to communicate your soliloquy?
- How are you using your body to communicate your soliloquy?
- Where will you choose to perform this piece? How can you, as an Actor, engage with your setting?
Art-Making
Art-Making
Supplies: Paper and Writing Utensil OR Collage Materials
Supplies: Paper and Writing Utensil OR Collage Materials
The performance video shows an actor performing in Central Park. However, this setting is very different than the Lincoln Center production set, which was very dark and industrial.
The performance video shows an actor performing in Central Park. However, this setting is very different than the Lincoln Center production set, which was very dark and industrial.
Set designers often make sketches or image boards as they imagine the setting of a production. Create your own sketch or image board. You can use original soliloquy or your version as inspiration.
Set designers often make sketches or image boards as they imagine the setting of a production. Create your own sketch or image board. You can use original soliloquy or your version as inspiration.
Example: I used the original soliloquy. I imagine the setting to be a grey winters day. I used materials around my house including magazines, patterned paper, and branches to express this.
Example: I used the original soliloquy. I imagine the setting to be a grey winters day. I used materials around my house including magazines, patterned paper, and branches to express this.
Explore More
Explore More
Extension Questions:
Extension Questions:
Do you have a favorite Shakespearean play? Why is it your favorite play? Do you have a favorite Shakespearean character? Why?
If you could write a soliloquy for anyone who would that person or character be? Why?
If you could design a set for any production what would it be? Why?
Additional Links:
Additional Links:
To learn more about Druid Theatre Company, click here.
To watch more videos from Lincoln Center at Home clips, click here
Share:
Share:
Tell us what you think! Email us at access@lincolncenter.org to share your thoughts on the activities and website. Post photos of your art projects using the hashtag #LincolnCenterAtHome.
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