English 1B

Zapata

Latino/a Drama: Performance Project

For this assignment your group will be leading class for the entire session. You are responsible
for putting together a presentation that incorporates lecture, performance, and analysis of your
assigned play. You will be utilizing the "Analyzing a Play" handout for your presentation. You
should touch upon most of the elements in your presentation. However, do not move
methodically from one point to the next. There should be a natural flow to your presentation.
Your lecture portion may make use of the whiteboard. You may create a PowerPoint
presentation. Since you are running the class it's up to you how you will relay your lesson plan for
the day.
Part of your presentation should give some relevant biographical information on your playwright.
In order to present a clear understanding of your play you must put on a performance. How many
scenes you chose is up to you. Costumes and props are strongly encouraged. You don't have to
memorize lines. It must be clear to the audience why your group is performing a certain scene(s).
You need to set up your scene. It's up to the group how much to perform, but your presentation
must reflect a thorough understanding of the play.

You need to reserve the last 10 minutes of class for a question and answer session with the
audience. Audience members will be filling out a presentation evaluation that I will strongly
consider when factoring the grade. You will receive the evaluation forms (the audiences and
mine) before your presentation.

Group One: Luis Valdez Zoot Suit

Group Two: Maria Irene Fornes Fefu and Her Friends
Group Three: Cherrie Moraga Giving Up the Ghost

I will be assigning groups randomly.

Presentation: Your presentation must have clear structure, organization, order, and meaning. In
other words, it must move seamlessly from one speaker to the next from presentation to
performance. It should be clear to the audience that considerable prep work has gone into your
performance. Your group is the expert on your assigned play. You must be ready to field
questions.
Handout: In order to facilitate your presentation your group needs to create and provide a
handout for your classmates. You can think of your handout as your version of a playbill. It
should list the names of your group members, photos, and artwork. It should have a paragraph
titled: "Our Vision." The paragraph should sum up your thoughts on the play. Be creative! Here's
your chance to be artistic. You only need one handout per group. Bring a copy for everyone in
class.
Play Analysis: For your analysis you must answer the following questions in essay format: What
is the central conflict in your play? How does it impact the lives of the characters? This
assignment is to be done by each group member. You are being graded for this individually.
Length: 2 pages.

Worth: 100 pts total (70 points performance and presentation, 15 points group handout, 15 points
individual play analysis)