Creative Projects for Romeo and Juliet

Directions: You need to choose one project from the following choices. Your project
should be thorough, complete, creative if applicable, and it needs to demonstrate a
thorough understanding of the play. This is will be due May the 11th. Your project will
be graded using the following rubric:

Romeo and Juliet Creative Project Rubric

1 2 3 Comments Score
Requirements The project The project The project
did not meet met some of met all of the
any of the the requirements
requirements requirements listed on the
listed on the listed on the assignment
assignment assignment sheet
sheet sheet
Accuracy The project The project The project
did not made some depicted
accurately mistakes elements of
reflect the regarding the play as
play elements of they were
the play explained in
class
Creativity The project The project The project
seemed required was
uninspired some creatively
creativity done
Effort/Presentation The project The project The project
seemed to seemed to seemed to
have have have a
required required required a
very little some effort lot of effort
effort

TOTAL

The final portfolio will include 3 parts

1 -one of the following topics, according to your choice
2- a recording of you reading a fragment from the play or a sonnet by Shakespeare in English
3- the presentation in the class gallery.
1 A Dramatic Reading:
For this choice you need to pick one of the soliloquies from the play and create an audio recording.
You will read the soliloquy, add any pertinent sound effects, and present the recording to the teacher
on a CD. You will be graded on your reading fluency, your pronunciation, your inflection, and the
overall creativity of your production.

2 Alternative Ending:
For this choice you need to write an alternative ending for the play. Your alternative ending should be
written in the same format as Romeo and Juliet. In other words, you should write your alternative
ending in dialogue with stage directions. You can choose to start your alternative ending at any point
in the play, but your new ending should be at least two pages typed or three pages hand written. You
will be graded on how well your ending fits within the structure of the play and the period it would
have been performed (having aliens kidnap Romeo might be a little far-fetched), how well-written
your ending is (are there grammatical or spelling errors?), the neatness of your overall project (make
sure I can read it and make sure you don’t spill your breakfast on it), and finally you will be graded on
the creativity of your project.

3 Web Quest:
You need to use the internet to look up different web sites on Romeo and Juliet. You need to find at
least 10 web sites that you think would be useful in our classroom. Try to find sites that have good
information about Romeo and Juliet or Shakespeare. Your 10 sites should be presented in an
annotated bibliography. For each entry you should list the title of the site, the URL of the site, and an
explanation (at least 5 sentences for each site) of the information that can be found on the site. You
will be graded on the accuracy of your project, the detail of your explanations, and your choice of sites.
Your final project should be something students can use in the future to research the play.

4 A Dramatic Performance:
For this project you need to pick an important scene from the play and perform it. You can choose to
act out the scene with some friends, you could create a puppet show of the scene, or you could use your
creativity to find some other way to perform the scene. Your final project will need to be recorded
onto a DVD. You will be graded on your skill in reading the lines (see the elements that will be graded
for the dramatic reading), your use of props, costumes, and the overall creativity of your project.

5 Set Design:
For this project you need to create a diorama that depicts one of the scenes of the play. You should use
an old shoebox, and decorate it as if you were creating a set for an actual performance of the play. You
will also need to create a one-page written description of your scene. You will be graded on the
accuracy of your set design, the appearance of your set design, and the creativity of your project.

6 Facebook Profile:
For this project you need to create a Facebook profile for one of the characters from the play. Romeo,
Juliet, Tybalt, Benvolio, Mercutio, Rosalind
You will present your profile on a poster. Your Facebook entry should look authentic. It should have a
profile picture, other photos that have been posted by the character, status updates, personal
information, friends, wall posts, and anything else that a typical Facebook wall profile would have.
You also need to include a one page explanation of all your choices. You will be graded on your
creativity of your choices, how well your project relates to the play, and the overall appearance of your
project.
7 Soundtracks:
For this project you need to choose 8 songs that you would include in a soundtrack for a movie
production of the play. You need to provide the lyrics to the songs (edit them for inappropriate
language), and you need to write a paragraph for each song that explains how the song relates to the
play and which scene in the film the song would most likely be played. You will also need to include a
CD that includes the songs. You will be graded on how well your project relates to the play, the
creativity of your choices, and your explanations for your choices.

8 Artifact Collection:
For this project you need to create an artifact collection from the play. You need to collect 8 items that
you feel are essential to the plot, main characters, conflict, symbols, or themes of the play. You need to
arrange your collection in a box or container of some kind and write an explanation of the importance
of each item (one paragraph for each item). You will be graded on how well your project relates to the
play, the creativity of your choices, and your explanations for your choices.

9 Flipbook
For this project you need to create a comic book for the entire play. Your comic book should have 1
picture and caption for each scene from within the play. Make sure to pick an important moment of
each scene, and include any dialogue that might be spoken in that scene. The comic books should be
creatively done and in color. You will be graded on how well your project relates to the play, the
creativity of your choices, and the overall presentation of your flipbook.

10 The setting of the play is fourteenth-century Italy, but actors in Shakespeare’s time would have
worn Elizabethan costumes. Make a costume book. Draw a minimum of one authentic (based on
research) costume for Romeo, Juliet, Mercutio, Prince Escalus, Nurse, Friar Laurence, Lord Capulet,
Lord Montague, Lady Capulet, and Lady Montague. Label each costume according to the character,
act, and scene. Include a brief explanation of each costume. Follow the teacher’s directions to include
either a Works Cited or copies of the sources used.

11 Create a model of the Globe Theatre (based on research). Label the various parts of the model.
Include the name of the source that was used. Write a brief history (two paragraphs) of the Globe
Theatre.

12 Design and sew a minimum of three costumes for characters in the play. Dress dolls in the
costumes and label each costume according to character, act, and scene. Base the costume designs
on research. Include a brief explanation of each costume. Follow the teacher’s directions to include
either a Works Cited or copies of the sources used.

13 Design five scenes from Romeo and Juliet. Display the scenes on a poster, on several posters, or in
shadow boxes (dioramas). Clearly label each scene according to scene and act. Arrange the scenes in
chronological order. Include an explanation of each scene (6-8 sentences). Base the information about
setting and costume on research. Follow the teacher’s directions to include either a Works Cited or
copies of the sources used.

14: Select and depict twelve scenes from the play for a multiple panel quilt. Make each panel out of
paper. For each panel of the quilt, create an illustration and write a caption which includes the act,
scene, and a quote. Create a border for each panel and tie or string the panels together to form a
large wall hanging. Acts and scenes must be in order.

15 Select a scene with a minimum of four characters from the play. Make puppets to represent all the
characters in the scene. Puppets may be made out of brown paper bags, construction paper, cloth,
felt-tip markers, and other household items. On a poster, draw the background that would be used
for the puppet show. Write two paragraphs that include the act and the scene numbers of the
selected scene and a summary of the scene. Present the show to the class. Put feeling and expression
and vocal variety into the presentation.

16 Individual performance. Memorize and perform two monologues/soliloquies. Write a

paragraph for each explaining what it means and its significance to the play.

17 Design a color illustrated comic book that tells the story of Romeo and Juliet. You may use the
words of Shakespeare, or you may write and illustrate a more modern version of the story. All main
points of the story must be included.

18 Develop a board game based on the story of Romeo and Juliet. Include all game pieces and
directions. The game should be enjoyable and educational. You will be expected to demonstrate the
game and show classmates how it works.

19 Write a song about Romeo and Juliet. Display the words of the song on a poster or scroll. Sing
the song to the class.
20 Create a Memory Book for Romeo and Juliet. The Memory Book must be six pages and
include diary entries, love letters, photographs, and/or other memorabilia. Be creative.

21 Diary Entries:
Re-create a page from Juliet’s or Romeo’s diary – What would Juliet or Romeo write in her or his
diary? Your project may include one long journal entry or may cover several entries. Must be one full
page in length, double-spaced. You will be graded on character personality references and plot
references (at least two of each).

22 Obituaries:
Write the obituaries for Romeo and Juliet. Include how old they were, their home town, how and
where they met, what happened between them, their deaths, the results of their deaths, etc. You may
write two separate obituaries or one that covers one character first, and then the other. This project
must be one full page in length, double-spaced. You will be graded on character personality references
and plot references (at least two of each).

23 Newspaper Article:
Pretend you are a reporter and write a newspaper article retelling the events of Romeo and Juliet’s
tragic deaths. This project must be one full page in length, double-spaced. You will be graded on
accuracy and plot references (at least four).

24 Advice Column:
Pretend Romeo and/or Juliet wrote to the advice /agony aunt column to ask for romantic advice.
Include their question and your advice back to them in the format of an advice column. This project
must be one full page in length, double-spaced. You will be graded on character personality references
and plot references (at least two of each).
25 Create an original drawing, painting, or sculpture of a character, scene, or theme from Romeo &
Juliet. You will be graded on your effort and presentation (materials used --no lined notebook paper--
and execution of ideas). Make this beautiful and/or really interesting.

26 Romeo and Juliet ABC Book:

Create an A to Z children’s book with illustrations and facts about Romeo & Juliet. You will be graded
on your effort and presentation (materials used and execution of ideas).

27 Poetry of your own:

Write a sonnet, following the English sonnet format: 14 lines with 10 syllables per line, with the rhyme
scheme ABAB, CDCD, EFEF, GG. You will be graded on following the format of a sonnet.

28 Writing Lyrics:
Imagine that a new musical adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is being created,
and you are chosen to be the lyricist. Using the Prologue, the plot synopsis of Romeo and Juliet, and the
lyrics to “Jet Song” (from West Side Story), write your own modified version of “Jet Song” but use the
situations and conflict in Romeo and Juliet, either from the point of view of the Montagues or the
Capulets. This will be one page, double spaced, and you will be graded on effort and execution of
ideas.

29 Short Film: Act out a scene from Romeo and Juliet with a classmate or more (depending on the
scene). You can speak Shakespeare’s dialogue or you can re-write the scene in modern English. Wear
costumes that add to the film! Film at least 5 minutes and no longer than 15 minutes and upload to
You Tube. You will be graded on effort and clarity of spoken dialogue. (I shouldn’t be watching and
wondering, “What just happened?”)

30 Write "After Romeo & Juliet" story and make up a literacy piece on what occurs after the death of Romeo
& Juliet(what happens to the family feud, who is to blame, etc). That would be a great chance to show your
writing skills.

31 Create a newspaper article of the death of the two lovers. It may be the editorial of the local newspaper the
day after the bodies of the two lovers were found

32 Write an article on other significant events in the play.(e.g the gossip column after the Capulets’
ball, presenting who was there, what they wore, what they did)

33 Rewrite a significant scene in modern language and act it out with costumes and props.

34 Make a timeline of the play. You must include multiple photos and it would show your knowledge of
the work.

35 Do a major CSI type portfolio on one of the main characters. That would display your knowledge
and you could get creative!

36 Make a giant poster advertising all the novel's themes with pictures and significant quotes.
37 Rewrite a scene from Romeo and Juliet into modern language. Explain the setting,the characters
and the stage directions for your scene. (60 line minimum)

38 Choose any scene/ set of lines in the play. Let them be the inspiration for your own writing: a poem/
a diary entry, a monologue, a short story. In addition to your creative writing, you must write at least
one full page (typed) explaining why the scene inspired you.

39 Graphic Novel- Create a graphic novel for Romeo and Juliet. Choose the most important scenes—
in your view—and tell the story of Romeo and Juliet. The quality of your project will be determined by
the following: the extent to which your graphic novel includes the entire story of the play, the
quality/effort put into the artwork, and the inclusion of an introduction in which you explain what you
tried to capture in your recreation of the play (e.g. “I wanted to emphasize Romeo’s and Juliet’s social
positions . . ..”) Requirements: graphic representation of the play, introduction with explanation.
Words should accompany the graphics. Must include at least 5 drawings with captions and an
illustrated cover. You may choose black and white or color.

40Artistic Interpretation- Choose a few lines from the play that are meaningful
to you. Draw or paint a picture that conveys the meaning of those lines (also consider other art
mediums, like collage). Type a one page written explanation of your artwork. Your artwork must be at
least the size of a half sheet of poster board (although I would prefer it to take up an entire piece of
poster board) and your written explanation must be included on a separate sheet of paper (typed).

41Character Scrapbook- Create a scrapbook with a page for 5 different characters. The page should
be a representation of the character and what they value. You may add pictures of what you think the
character should look like.

42 The Mixed CD - Make a ten song mixed tape or CD for Romeo and/or Juliet if they were around
today. In a typed letter to Romeo and/or Juliet, explain why you are including each of the ten songs on
the mixed CD. Each song should have a one paragraph in-depth description as to why you think
he/she/they would like it, using evidence from the themes, symbols, motifs, and situations that the play
explored. Requirements: 10 songs (artist/song titles) on CD, at least one paragraph explanation for
each, lyrics of all songs included in final project, creative cover for mixed CD. You must include one
line from the play, linking your artistic choice with your explanation, in each of your paragraphs.

43 Ten Years Later - Write a piece of short fiction in which you return to Verona, Italy ten years after
the play ends. Try, as best you can, to replicate the unique voices and personalities of the characters.
You may set it in play format and use Shakespearean style language and diction or you may chose to
write it in a more modern format. Include the relevant secondary characters. Requirements: Four
page story minimum, typed.

44 Romeo’s and/or Juliet’s Scrapbook - Compile a scrapbook of memorabilia that Romeo or Juliet
might have collected or come across during the play. Every artifact must be captioned with where he
or she got it, its significance to her/him, and the Act/Scene and lines you found it on. Think of the
images that keep recurring in the novel, the places they go, and anything she/he might collect (it could
be something from a secondary character). This project will be assessed based on the amount of
memorabilia collected and its presentation. As a benchmark, expect to get at least ten pieces of
memorabilia for your scrapbook. You should include things from at least two other characters besides
the protagonists. Requirements: Scrapbook (presented as you see fit), 1-2 paragraphs on each item in
scrapbook with explanation of each.
45 Rewrite the Ending - If you did not like the way Romeo and Juliet ended, here is your opportunity
to change it. Rewrite a new ending to the play. Be sure to write in the style of the author (that’s
Shakespearean language, people!). Do not explain how the ending should be changed. Write as if you
were writing the story. On a separate page describe the original ending and the changes you made and
then explain why you made these changes. Requirements: A 3-4 page typed paper that begins at a
certain point near the end of the play. You must also include a short explanation of your changes (on a
separate sheet).

46 Write a song/ lyrics - Write music and perform for the class a song that incorporates one of the
major themes of Romeo and Juliet. You may use the music of a song that you know and change the
words. You must play your musical instrument for the class or tape yourself doing so. Requirements:
Your lyrics and music. A paper 1-2 pages long explaining why you chose the theme that you did and
explaining your choice of music. In order to receive full credit for this assignment, the entire class
must hear your work.

47 Photo essay - You will chose a theme or motif in Romeo and Juliet and take at least 15 black and
white photos (or color) that represent that theme. All photos must be accompanied by a 1 paragraph
explanation of the theme or motif in Romeo and Juliet. You must include at least one line from the play
in each paragraph linking together your artistic representation and Shakespeare’s play. Requirements:
Your photos and 1 paragraph explanations can be laid out any way you choose (poster board will
probably be your best choice). A 1-page paper explaining your artistic decisions should also
accompany your project.

48 Write an interview with either Montague or Capulet before and after they bury their children

49 Write the letter Friar Lawrence sends to Romeo in Mantua.

50 Write Juliet’s diary from the night she sees Romeo at the ball till the night she takes the potion
given to her by Friar Lawrence.