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Arthur Schnitzler, an Austrian playwright, wrote a play titled Der Reigen (Hands Around in English). The play is about sexual encounters so we won't be reading it for class. But we will be using Schnitzler's format.

In Hands Around, character A has an encounter with character B. Then in scene two, character B encounters character C, then character C with character D, and so forth. Then in the last scene (there are ten), character J meets with character A to finish the cycle.

As our final class project (in addition to your final monologue), the class will write, rehearse and perform a play following the Hands Around format. The class with choose the theme/subject for the play. We will then determine the order of appearance. Each one of you will assist in writing two scenes and you will perform in two scenes. For example, if you are character C, will write and perform scenes 2 and 3 with characters B and D respectively. Each scene with be between 5 and 10 minutes long. While others are performing, you will be expected to run the spot lights.

Each student will produce a program for the play and the class will choose the best for mass production provided the performance warrants an audience.

You will be assessed for the written scenes and for your performance in each. The grades will count for both the last five-week marking period and for half of your final exam. Your monologue will constitute the other half.


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About Arthur Schnitzler
	The "Hands Around" Project Arthur Schnitzler, an Austrian playwright, wrote a play titled Der Reigen (Hands Around in English). The play is about sexual encounters so we won't be reading it for class. But we will be using Schnitzler's format. In Hands Around, character A has an encounter with character B. Then in scene two, character B encounters character C, then character C with character D, and so forth. Then in the last scene (there are ten), character J meets with character A to finish the cycle. As our final class project (in addition to your final monologue), the class will write, rehearse and perform a play following the Hands Around format. The class with choose the theme/subject for the play. We will then determine the order of appearance. Each one of you will assist in writing two scenes and you will perform in two scenes. For example, if you are character C, will write and perform scenes 2 and 3 with characters B and D respectively. Each scene with be between 5 and 10 minutes long. While others are performing, you will be expected to run the spot lights. Each student will produce a program for the play and the class will choose the best for mass production provided the performance warrants an audience. You will be assessed for the written scenes and for your performance in each. The grades will count for both the last five-week marking period and for half of your final exam. Your monologue will constitute the other half.