Punctuation Guide
Materials: Shakespearean text for each actor. A large open
space for movement.
Grade: K - 12
Goal(s): To discover the emotion and inner life of a character through movement and text.
1. Choose a short piece of Shakespearean text. See sample below. Distribute
the text to each actor.
2. Ask the actors to recite the text while walking through the space in character.
3. Each time they encounter any punctuation in the piece they must stop and
quickly change direction before continuing to speak.
4. After the text is read, ask the actors how it felt to change direction,
and how this might effect their character's emotions.
Suggested Variation:
For beginning actors, review punctuation and vocal interpretations of words
followed by particular punctuation. Review the text for pronunciation and
meaning.
For advanced actors, explore the text while working in pairs. Add the challenges
of speaking in unison and maintaining physical contact with their partner.
Raising The Bar:
Assign specific movement or gestures for each type of punctuation (a hop for
a "."; a jump for a "!"; a shimmy for a "?",
etc.). Have one actor share his/her text and movement but without speaking
the text.
Sample Text:
O, what a noble mind is here o'erthrown!
The courtier's, soldier's, scholar's, eye, tongue, sword,
Th'expectancy and rose of the fair state,
The glass of fashion and the mould of form,
Th'observed of all observers, quite, quiet, down!
And I, of ladies most deject and wretched,
That sucked the honey of his music vows,
Now see that noble and most sovreign reason
Like sweet bells jangled, out of time and harsh,
That unmatch'd form and feature of blown youth
Blasted with ecstasy. O, woe is me
T'have seen what I have seen, see what I see!
Hamlet (Act 3, Scene 1)
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