Heard or Read?
[Activity #3 from “Performance Approaches to Shakespeare,” p. 45]
Purpose:
To demonstrate how Shakespeare’s plays were written to be heard and seen, not simply read silently.
Preparation:
Provide two two different and unrelated scenes
Process:
1. Assign one of the scenes to be read silently.
2. Each participant will then set aside the scene, and make a list of all of the details they can
remember.
3. Read the second scene aloud together.
4. Again, set aside the scene, and make a list of all the details they can remember.
5. Ask the following questions:
– In which scene was it easier to recall the most details?
– WHY?
Performance Approaches to Shakespeare 