Translation/Playwrights
The translation group is responsible for translating the original text of the York Crucifixion play from Middle English into a more reader-friendly modern text. This group will have to do dramaturgical work in researching not just the definitions of the words in the text of the York Crucifixion, but also re-appropriating the language so that it holds similar meaning to a modern audience. The group will then create a script of the text that members of the class will perform. Along with the above, the translators are also responsible for designing printed and electronic forms of publicity to promote the performance of our play (this includes e-mailing, posters, radio announcements, newspaper articles etc.) and for recording our production on digital video.
Members: L-R. Greg Fulton, Siobhan Young, John Curtiss, Michael Pollack, Stacy Krajewski
Because the costume group was responsible for designing the course webpage, they wanted to get everyone's input. They sent out a questionnaire for everyone to fill and here's what some people in our group said about their work as members of the translation group:
What has your creative process been like? Have you done many rewrites?
We had to do a rewrite because our first script took the play out of its context and linguistically as well out of the time. The first version was more funny and Jesus had a larger speaking role. It was more vulgar and the characters truly were mobsters. Problem was that Jesus too would be implicated as being in a group of hit men and, the parallel doesn't work. Too blasphemous. Our first draft had very little elements of classic medieval drama (no lament, no cross etc) or classic religious elements, so that needed to be changed to make the play be about Jesus' last days. We wanted to make it as funny as possible without getting too far away from the actual story. As a result, our first draft had references to popular movies and these were the "stuff" that the audience found to be comedic. The second draft felt like more of a copout, but it was necessary to include the historical aspects of the play.
What kinds of publicity are you planning on doing?
We did an article in the Gettysburgian newspaper (see below), e-mailed the digest, sidewalk chalking ( see links) promoting the band and our personal favorite Curtiss' sheet sign.
These guys came up with the script...a mobster style crucifixion of Christ:
As well as the following PR items
Sheet Sign here
Gettysburgian Article
INSPIRATIONS FOR THE PLAY
"Bada Bing! Bada Boom! Let's start!"
DIRECTION GROUP HELPFUL LINKS
Boss: the head of the Family who runs the show. He decides who gets made and who gets whacked. The boss also gets points from all Family business; also see don, chairman.
Whack: to murder; also clip, hit, pop, burn, put a contract out.
Find out more at: Mob Speak
