1. Selecting Your Monologue or Dialogue
- Choose a monologue or dialogue from any Shakespeare play (e.g., Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet) that you connect with emotionally or intellectually to deliver an authentic performance.
- Watch professional performances on online platforms like YouTube for inspiration. Reflect on what you admire in these performances and how you can add your unique interpretation.
Examples: - Your monologue or dialogue must be 1–1.5 minutes. Use a stopwatch during practice to ensure it fits within 60–90 seconds.
- Read the full play or a detailed summary to understand your character’s motivations and the context of your monologue or dialogue. For example, know whether your character is scheming, grieving, or declaring love.
2. Preparation
- Memorise your lines thoroughly to deliver them confidently without hesitation.
- Practice 15–20 minutes daily, refining vocal delivery and movements. Record yourself to identify areas for improvement.
- Perform for your teachers, friends or classmates and ask for specific feedback on clarity, emotion, and pacing.
- Use a Shakespeare glossary (e.g., shakespeare-online.com) to understand archaic terms like “thou,” “hath,” or “wherefore.”
3. Vocal Delivery
- Enunciate clearly to ensure judges understand every word, especially complex Shakespearean language.
- Vary pitch, pace and volume to reflect your character’s emotions—e.g., slow and sombre for Macbeth’s despair or lively and quick for Puck’s playfulness in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
- Emphasise key words to highlight meaning and maintain the rhythm of iambic pentameter (e.g., “Shall I com-PARE thee TO a SUM-mer’s Day?”).
- Analyse rhythm breaks (e.g. deviations from the ten-syllable pattern) for clues about your character’s emotional state, such as hesitation or intensity, and adjust your delivery accordingly.
4. Performance
- Use purposeful movements (e.g. clenched fists for anger, open arms for pleading) that align your character’s mood. Avoid random or excessive gestures.
- Use facial expressions to show emotions (e.g., raised eyebrows for surprise, furrowed brow for worry), but avoid overacting.
- Stay in character throughout, even during pauses or transitions.
5. Bringing the Character to Life
- Understand your character’s goals — e.g., is Hamlet contemplating life and death, or is Lady Macbeth seeking power? Reflect this in your delivery.
- Show the character’s feelings (anger, love, despair, joy) through vocal inflection and body language. For example, a trembling voice can show fear.
- Take creative risks with your interpretation (e.g., a unique gesture or vocal emphasis), but ensure it suits the character and play’s context.
6. Tips for the Video Submission
- Record in a quiet room with no background noise. Use natural or bright lighting to show your face clearly.
- Position the camera at eye level, capturing your face and upper body (from chest up). Ensure you are centred in the frame.
- Test your audio quality. Use an external microphone if your phone or camera’s built-in mic is unclear.
7. Preparing for the Live Final
- Rehearse in a large space, like a school hall, to mimic the stage at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong. Get comfortable performing for an audience of 50–100 people.
- Wear simple, neutral clothing or a subtle costume that suggests your character (e.g., a scarf for Juliet, a cloak for Macbeth) without distracting from your performance.
- Practice deep breathing (inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds) or visualise a successful performance to stay calm.
- Prepare for a larger stage by practising broader but controlled movements. Ensure gestures are visible to judges seated 10 – 20 metres away.
Additional Online Resources:
We are excited to see your creativity and talent in the Shakespeare Drama Competition. Break a leg!
