Post your final draft of your scene here. Describe in detail your ideal actor(s), set, costumes, lighting etc. for this scene. Post your scene and detailed response by 3 p.m. on Tuesday. Don't forget to respond to a classmates' post as well. Happy Posting!
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ReplyDeleteIdeally, my scene titled "Blazing Home" would star Robert Redford as Allen. This is because of his astonishing role as Jeremiah Johnson in "Jeremiah Johnson" (1972). He clearly understood how to act like a mountain man in that film because he showed his appreciation and familiarity with the outdoors. Robert would play Allen because Allen is the survivor who has a longer appearance in the scene.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, Tom would be played by Clint Eastwood. Clint Eastwood is a great speaker who could emotionally present Tom very well, as seen in some of his movies such as "Escape From Alcatraz" and "Dirty Harry."
Regarding the set, a snowy, wooded mural in the background will suffice. Casual winter clothing (boots, jacket) will be worn by the two actors. Lighting will be normal until the sun starts to go down. Only a dim light will be present then.
*Allen and Tom are both young boys. Robert Redford and Clint Eastwood are both much older actors. The scene would have the two characters portrayed as adults, not children. That is a minor change that doesn't have a dramatic effect on the scene's outcome and feeling.
Blazing Home
ReplyDeleteAllen and Tom walked into the woods after dinner on a cool, nippy night after parking along a Class 4 road. They covered three miles over a powdery foot of snow in their hometown of Greensbury, Vermont. Oblivious to the fact that it was getting dark, the two boys sat down in a hemlock grove to discuss how they would finish their biology project that was assigned a few days prior.
“That Schuey sure is one bad teacher!” declared Tom.
“How does she expect us to gain enough knowledge about the woods by merely walking through them?” replied Allen. After numerous degrading remarks directed towards their teacher, Mrs. Schuey, the boys realized that the sun was setting and that they would need to start their trip back to the truck. Allen nonchalantly started to walk back in the direction they had traveled. On the other hand, Tom was very nervous because the snowfall had picked up and their tracks were disappearing.
“We better move fast before the snow covers out tracks,” said Tom.
“There’s nothing to worry about, Tom. Relax,” Replied Allen.
Sure enough, Tom was right. After 15 minute of walking, their tracks were gone. Allen decided that they continued in that general direction. Soon enough, the boys found themselves at a ridge line. A blue mark on a large beach tree indicated a trail splitting into two opposite directions. The boys were slightly familiar with the trail, knowing that it spanned the ridge line roughly a mile in each direction. However, Allen and Tom were both unsure of which trail would bring them back to the road where they had parked Tom's 2008 Toyota Tundra. Fearing further exposure to the harsh Winter conditions which could lead to hypothermia, the boys had to make a quick decision. Should they travel right or left? A gut feeling emerged from Tom that the two should go left.
“I vaguely remember traveling left many years ago. It led to a pond near Maybree road,” said Tom.
“What the hell is Maybree road?” asked Allen.
“The road we traveled on and parked on, silly. Come on, let’s go. Time is limited!” replied Tom.
After miserably treading left along the ridge line for a mile, Tom collapsed. He was suffering from chest pains and had previously stumbled over obstacles that did not appear to Allen. Tom was hallucinating. Allen knew these were all signs of hypothermia. Barely able to speak, Tom thickly said,
"Continue without me. Call for help if this direction is the right way out."
Allen refused to leave Tom behind and picked him up with all the strength he had.
Allen carried him for about a minute before putting him down saying,
"I can't do it. I can't do it. I'll be back for you. I promise."
Using the remaining energy he had, Allen took Tom's keys and continued along the trail in the moonlit forest for another mile until he came across a road. Not just any road, but the road that the two had traveled along to take their hike. Tom's car was only 300 yards from where Allen emerged from the woods. Allen rushed back to his house and called 911 while driving. He explained the location of where they had parked and was told that a search team would be immediately sent out. While Allen bathed in hot water to relieve his frostbitten body, the search crew found a lifeless Tom holding a business card.
ReplyDeleteHe wrote on it, "Allen - you were a good friend. Thank you for everything. Thank you mom and dad. I hope you don't have to read this without me."
Tom's body was taken into the adjacent town of Woodsbury, where it was properly stored. Allen was notified of his loss as soon as the rescue team had finished their job. Allen realized that he owed his life to Tom. After all, it was Tom who made the decision to go left at that crossroads. Allen went on to visit the spot where Tom had perished every summer after. He set up a memorial in that area that would be visited annually by friends and family of Tom. Allen had lost a good friend on that cold, Winter evening, but continued a successful and commemorative life dedicated to Tom.
Jared,
DeleteI like what you've done with this scene. Adding more dialogue has really benefited your story. My concern is, what is a class four road and is it really necessary? We talked the other day about what information would be needed in a scene, and what would be more fitting in a short story or novel. I do like what you've done with setting and dialogue though. I now know where this scene is taking place and what the relationship is. I also like how you've set up the scene with the talk about Mr. Schuey, and added a little bit of foreshadowing in too. Great job!
~~Alexandra
This story is placed in the 1700’s. Adair Erien 17 is a wanted Irish rebel against the English King George II, sentenced to be hanged for treason. During his time in prison John Shrift, the hangman’s son, 19 became a close friend. Now John must take over his father’s job, and in the process hang his friend. If he fails, he will himself be accused of aiding the rebels and, will be tried for treason.
ReplyDeleteThe crowd, was large. The crowd was hungry. They smelled blood.
John: “ Here I stand now, under the gibbet. Old friend of yesterday, why have you turned into a loathsome thing? You have the look of a dead creature yet you stand, upheld by your life, or by the lives you claim from others?”
John: Moves to pat gibbet, recoils, places hands in pockets, continues with dolefully wistfulness
John: “Hanging… just a job, never before has it touched my conscious. I have a hood, I do not judge. The King needs a hand, I am a body. I know this the Crowd knows this, the Condemned knows this.”
(Adair called by nick name) Dair mounts the steps measuredly. Shivering in the October wind,(hair blowing about him). He looks up, half smile curving up the right side of his mouth, wile the (slightly scarred), left side of his face remains stone-serious. Speaks in Irish borough, light, airy, and calmly soft.
Dair: “Well…”
Gestures to the crowed, (which growled with hunger.)
Dair: “Well… let’s give them what they want shall we, mi friend? A short shrift, and a quick end, I think… yer rather te tall John Shrift, te fit the saying, pity. But ye’ll hang me just as well.”
John: stammers and cuts him off.
John: “How can I be expected to do this, it goes against the nature of friendship, and the very essence of humanity, I cannot kill you and remain a man! Dair, I can’t, they cannot make—“
Dair: Holds up a hand. Both stand in isolated silence, crowd mutters impatiently.
Dair: “Ye are the hand of the law, no longer mi friend, John. Ye are yer King’s hand,
Dair: turns to face the Crowd, raising his voice, with a slightly bitter, slightly provocative edge.
DeleteDair: yer’s not mine, mind, not even death will make me bow te him.
Dair: turns back to John, half-smiles quickly, briefly, as though they are sharing a joke.
Dair: “I have two things te ask ye as I leave this world.”
(Crowd is close enough to rock the scaffold)
John: speaks eagerly but slowly
John: “Anything.”
Dair: “First, send mi ring te mi family,”
John: slides a heavy ring out of his breast pocket and onto his finger when Dair mentions it.
Dair: with some calm rage, and hesitation, he also appears to feel slightly faint and sick.
Dair: “tell them how I was betrayed and how… how I died. Second make it quick. I’m no dancer, and I ‘d rather a jump and jerk, than… steps on air.”
Dair: shudders with bare perceptibility at these last words.
(The red-coated soldiers file around the outskirts of the scaffold, causing the tide of the crowed to sweep back. They have swords, rifles, and blankly grim expressions.)
John: nods, stands noticeably more stiff.
Crowd for once total silence. When John still does not move, and it is apparent he won’t or cant’, Dair clammy and slowly walks to the noose. He takes it in both hands, and slides it round his own neck.
Dair: Persuasively, drawing John steadily closer, though John is obviously reluctant and cautious.
Dair: “Yer not killing me. I would have died anyway, worn and broken by hard labor, or starving in debtor’s prison, on a coffin ship, perhaps bound to sink in American waters. I’ve suffered plague and weathered famine, I know those Death’s, felt their kindly deceiving hands caress my fevered brow. Ye John ye are saving me from this, ye are saving me from the slow death they call “Poverty” in mi country; where all mi folk yet peaceably dwell and think themselves content. They live as but husks, they are empty men.”
Dair: Softer
DeleteDair: “Ye give me death… ye save me from a fate so much more te be feared.”
Dair: looks first at John then at the Crowd, smiling.
Dair: “I forgive ye… Oh I forgive ye.”
John: turns white, seizes the rope violently and suddenly, a knife, which would cut the rope in one hand, the other on the leaver, which would drop the trap door.
Soldiers start up the steps, weapons ready, the captain who is closest raises the stock of his rifle, as though to knock John unconscious, all freeze as John delivers his final line
Dair: is looking up at John, his hands are clutching the noose, a look of horrified admiration, and gratitude is frozen on his face
Crowd: is silent
John: “Lord… help me!”
All following done as quickly as possible
Captain: strikes John
John: falls growing, lies stunned, as he falls, accidentally cuts the rope
Captain: raises rifle to hit him again
Dair: gasps, tears the noose off his neck and dives at John, and catches the Captain’s blow in his chest, falls away winded, tries to rise
John: jumps on his feet, bending over Dair
A shot is heard
Dair: just sitting up, falls back, clutching his chest, he has been shot, he clutches at John’s hand and dies
Slowly
John: stands, bows his head
Soldiers: bind his hands behind his back, stand on either side of him, holding his arms
Captain: crosses in front of John, bends over Dair’s corps and closes its eyes, folding the hands over the chest, looks up at John and nods solemnly
John: smiles
The scene ends
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ReplyDeleteFor my production I would like Ioan Gruffurdd to play John Shrift, and Jamie Bamber to play Adair Erien. I was introuduced to both actors in the BBC Hornblower series. Gruffrudd is very good art playing emotionaly distressed
ReplyDeletecharacters in dark settings. He is able to give spectrum to fear, anger, and self-doubt, playing scenes with negative emotion in a such a way that the emotions is realistic, but the scene is not disturbing or hard to watch.
John is not a dark character himself, but he is caught in a dark setting. He needs to be played by a strong but human and relatable actor, who can make him three dimentional and not flat.
Bamber plays sublte and understate roles very well. He is able to give the impression of strong emotion and deep methods without using the dialog or physical cues which would normally be neccery tools.
The captain could be played by any actor who is comfortable in mute roles. He has no lines and no more depth than any particular actor wants to give him. The Captain could be complex or two dimensional, but there is no one way I am looking for his role to be played.
DeleteFor my scene:
DeleteIt should open with low light and night sounds, the background is a painted backdrop of 1700’s London streets. The stage is set like a city square, carts, food stands… In canter stage is the scaffold (platform), four men our so are erecting the gibbet. Looking on are several tramps, beggars and shabby hangers on, speaking quietly.
The curtain comes down
The curtain rises. Bright gentle light, morning sounds. There is a small crowd, and people at the carts in the square, the crowd steadily gets larger, until everyone in the square is standing around the scaffolding. As people mill around John enters from stage left and weaves through the crowd. He is wearing a black hood, many pat him on the back or shake his hand, but John is reluctant to get near them. He mounts the steps and stands by the gibbet.
He stands staring at the audience, then removes his hood and begins to speak. The sounds die down.
Dair enters with the soldiers from stage right.
John sees him, looks shocked and drops his hood somewhere in the crowd.
Dair and the soldiers continue through the crowd, as John speaks, Dair appears to speak with the Captain, and is allowed to join John on the scaffold, alone. The soldiers take their time about setting up on the steps of, and around the scaffold.
As Dair and John continue the scene the weather becomes rainy then stormy, but the sound remains quiet enough to hear the actors. The lighting darkens and becomes more grey, it shits lighter and darker, as though clouds are moving overhead.
The crowd react to the rain when it starts, but no leaves, and they soon ignore it.
Dair and John ignore the rain.
DeleteThe storm grows very loud during the dialog-less end of the scene starting after John’s last line, and continuing. Lightning flashes now begin and remain.
The lights dim, but light the scaffold, John, Dair and the Captain as John gives his last line. Right after he has finished speaking the lighting continues, but the stage is black except for a red light on the Captain, gold light on John, and a blue light on Dair. These lights remain until Dair’s eyes are closed.
After Dair’s eyes are closed the lights come up just enough to see the people and background. The on Captain, John and Dair, change to normal and are noticeably brighter than the background light
After John smiles the lights black out on the Captain, then John then Dair, and the curtain descends.
Costumes:
The soldiers wear traditional English military uniforms, red coats, white cross-bands, white britches, stockings, and black boots.
There are some well dressed people in the crowd, but most are in peasant clothes.
John is all in black including black leather gloves. His make up makes him look pale, and worried, like he’s been crying.
Dair is all in white, his hair is about shoulder length like all the men, but his is lose instead of in a low pony tale, like the rest; it is windblown and slightly tangled. Dair’s shirt is lose and white, his britches also, lose around his knees and flowing. Dair wears no shoes or stockings. He has dark circles under his eyes and is very pale and haggard. Dair looks worn out and slightly starved.
The title of this piece is "In Spite of All"
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ReplyDeleteI have settled on the title "Will I Ever Tell You?" for my scene. This is also the title of a wonderful song from "The Music Man" which is sung at counterpoint with "Lida Rose". The song is about Marian (female protagonist, local librarian) and her indecision about telling Harold Hill (male antagonist, travelling salesman/con-man) that she has fallen in love with him. This compares to my scene because Alice (female protagonist) is trying to decide if she will tell Andy (male antagonist) lies or the truth. Marian and Alice are both at a cross road that has to do with love, and that's why I picked "Will I Ever Tell You?" for my title.
DeleteAs far as actors, I think that for Andy, I'd cast Darren Criss. Andy is a sweetheart who's attention has been misdirected. He's the kind of guy you'd want as your older brother. Christina is your typical popular pretty girl type. Her goal is to steal Andy away from Alice. Whether or not that has been her intention the entire time or not, she certainly wants all eyes on her all the time. I'd cast Kristin Chenoweth, with all her experience being Galinda, she'd be perfect for a shallow character like Christina. Alice for me is a canundrum for casting. Without knowing it, I wrote her as an Éponine type character without even knowing it. Hence the Les Misérables reference during Alice's first monologue. I'd cast Lea Salonga for the role (Dream Cast Éponine, Disney Legend) because of her stunning work as Éponine, the unloved, ignored girl in love with someone (Marius Pontmercy) who is in love with someone else (Cosette), just like Alice. Sparky is a lovable dog, owned by Alice. I would cast either a Cocker Spaniel (Lady, from Lady and the Tramp) or a golden Labrador or Labradoodle.
Costumes for this show would be modern and simple. Andy would wear dark khakis, a dress shirt or polo, and dark sneakers. Christina would wear Andy's jacket over a short and tight red halter dress wither matching red stilettos. Christina's hair would be in a high pony tail fastened with a red hair band, and she would have a flower (from Andy) in her hair. Alice would wear dark jeans, ballet flats, a pastel pink blouse, and a navy cardigan. Alice's hair would be down, with a hair clip to keep her hair from falling into her face.
Lights for this show would be simple as well. Since it takes place at night, the backdrop would be lit a dark blue, there would be a soft spot light, which almost resembles a street light on Alice. There would be a gobo of a cresant moon at the upper left of the cyc. The playground would be lit also as if a street light was miraculously pointed in the direction of Christina and Andy.
Set: Soccer Field is shown by a strewn soccer ball downstage right, and a goal set up down stage right as far right as possible. The soccer field area of the stage would be painted green to look like grass. The Playground is downstage left, in front of the proscenium, shown by chalk work on the floor and the ladder up to some playground device of no consequence in front of the proscenium. ANDY and CHRISTINA will be leaning on the ladder in an embrace. There would be wood chips strewn in the playground area, to further solidify the idea.
Scene: ALICE is 22, and is starting a career in psychology at a medical center in their town. She has received a wonderful offer from a school six hours drive away, are it’s an offer she almost can’t refuse. Her one problem, she can’t bear to loose her best friend ANDY.
ReplyDeleteALICE is standing in a soccer field (Center Stage, aligned with Proscenium) opposite a play ground. She is standing in the middle of the soccer field, staring at two people at the playground. ANDY, her best friend, and CHRISTINA, his girlfriend. ALICE has a backpack on, and car keys in one hand. The other hand holds two letters, one in a red envelope, one in a white envelope, both addressed to ANDY. One contains lies, the other, truth. Her dog SPARKY stands at her feet, ready to carry a letter to ANDY.
Alice (as an internal monologue): So this is it. I have only two options, leave, or stay. Be honest, or lie. Loose him...or...(as external monologue) loose him. (sigh) It could go either way. If I leave I escape with my dignity, my honor. If I stay, if I give him this letter, (looks to red envelope), I could have him. My best friend, my secret love.
(picks up speed) But what if he doesn’t believe me? What if he thinks I’m lying? But why would I lie to him? He’d never think that I would lie, would he? He’d think (stops, then slowly)...that I’m too good a fried to lie...but, if he does break up with her, would he love me? He’s been ignoring me for her. Always her. I never get to see him anymore. I’ve been home for two months, and I’ve yet to see him without Christina attached to him. I always feel like a third wheel. The ignored and unloved third wheel. Ugh. I’m always the Eponine, never Cosette. He obviously cares about her way more then he’d ever care about me. (she quotes the white letter) “I’ll always be your second favorite girl. But no matter what, I’ll...be your friend. Always.”
(starts getting faster again) I have to go. I can’t hurt him. I’ll move on, I’ll go get my own boyfriend. I’ll go get my masters...(slows) and a life. I’ve been trying to hold on to him for too long. She won, and she’ll never know how lucky she is. I could end her relationship with one command to Sparky. (Sparky looks up) Though I would love to break her heart...and her in general...I can’t break his heart. (volume dangerously rises) I can barely go without talking to him for two days, for crying out loud! I’ve never had anyone like him. He’s my best friend, my confidante, my...my...love. Why can’t we be together? I love him...(a choked cry escaped from her lips, she then suddenly drops to the ground in a crouch, realizing that her noise could have gotten the attention of the playground love birds.)
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ReplyDeleteANDY turns his head away from CHRISTINA towards where the heartbroken cry came from. He recognized the voice, ALICE was never the most quiet or graceful crier.
DeleteAndy: (tentatively first, then stronger) “Alice...Alice! Aliiiiice! (His girlfriend gives him a look) Hold on darling, this is important. Alice! ALICE!...Okay, here comes the pet name...Allypoo! Allypoo! Come on Allypoo, I know you’re hurting. (no response) ALICE! I KNOW YOU’RE THERE!”
Christina: “Ahem.”
(Silence)
Andy: “Just a moment, muffin. I have to call her.” (He pulls out his phone, severely ticking off his girlfriend, the phone rings, and Alice’s answering machine message is heard)
“Hi. you’ve reached Alice Covington! I’m terribly sorry I missed your call-Andy! Stop trying to talk to me, I’m doing something!(laughs)-Anyways, please leave your name and number at the tone and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Ciao!”
Andy: (clears throat) (silence) (clears throat again) “...Alice...it’s me...I...hope you’re okay...maybe we can go get some coffee tomorrow (Christina reacts, scoffs) and talk. Call me...”
Christina: “Are you really going to do that? I thought we had a picnic planned!”
Andy: “I’ve been neglecting my friendship with Alice, okay? I thought you liked Alice!”
Christina: “(dismissive)Of course I do...(sweet, cheeky) hold me buggy, it’s cold...”
(Andy rolls eyes)
Alice: (internally) “Oh...my...god. My message...I can’t believe he recognized my cries...I can’t believe he cared...coffee with Andy tomorrow? (girly sigh) But I can’t stay, I ticked her off. I could tell by her posture and the scoffing on the message. DRAT! I’ve started destroying them without even trying! No...no...(monotone, realizing, external) it’s time to go.”
ALICE proceeds to pin the white letter to SPARKY’S collar. She stands, ready to leave.
Alice: “Sparky, go to Andy, do NOT STAY. Come back to the car as fast as you can.”
The dog ran. ALICE rips the red letter, the letter of lies, to shreds, and runs as fast as possible to her car, packed for a trip. SPARKY came quickly after, the letter delivered. ALICE runs away, tears streaming down her face, as she leaves up stage right with SPARKY.
Andy: “Why was Sparky here? Was I right that Alice was here? What’s in this letter?”
Christina: “If you open that letter, we’re done.”
(silence, followed by the sound of paper ripping)
Christina: “Well then, if that’s how you want it!” (she pouts and struts away)
Andy: (reads, finishes) “Oh...oh no...Alice...”
Betrayed
ReplyDeleteCamilla and Beatrice have been best friends since preschool, but over the school years their friendship has been complicated by envy and jealousy that Beatrice has for Camilla because of her excellence in school. Beatrice comes from a well-to-do but culturally poor family, while Camilla comes from a culturally rich and intellectually gifted working class family.
Now in high school, the two girls have gone to different schools; Beatrice goes to the less challenging private high school, and Camilla to the prestigious public classical high school.
An interscholastic contest was held for writing an essay about the Holocaust, and it was mandatory that everyone in Beatrice’s class participated.
(Beatrice is talking to a classmate): I’m never going to be able to write this essay on the Holocaust alone! I should ask Cami to write it for me. Not only would I get an A, but also, I might even win the contest and the money!
FRIEND. Totally against the rules. How are you ever going to get her to agree?
BEATRICE. Don’t worry, I’ll think of something… She never says no to me.
The scene is the Piazza dei Signori in front of the Town Hall in Padua, Italy, on the 27th of January, The Holocaust Remembrance Day.
At the ceremony the Mayer, the School Committee, and the main Italian professors from all different high schools were present. Around the Piazza are milling hundreds of high school kids waiting to hear the results of the contest.
Camilla and Beatrice were anxiously but happily awaiting, arm in arm.
BEATRICE. You know, I forgot to tell you something…
CAMILLA. What is it?
BEATRICE. I found out that there could be only one author for each essay, and so I put mine on because I needed to bring my grade up for extra credit, and you didn’t. I hope you don’t mind too much.
(Unhooking her arm from Beatrice’s, she looks straight ahead. There are a few moments of stunned silence.)
CAMILLA. Whatever.
(The ceremony starts, and the Mayer steps up to the podium.)
MAYER. We are happy to announce the winner of the essay contest, which was written with such depth and sensitivity, we’ve decided to publish it in the National Newspaper. The incredibly gifted writer who should be so proud of her outstanding accomplishment is Beatrice Galeazzo.
(Roars of approval, whistles and claps from the crowd.)
Before we have her on stage let’s listen to this amazing essay read by Professor Rossi.
(Camilla freezes with this news, and looks aghast at her Italian teacher who was about to read the composition that she wrote, in the name of Beatrice. She doesn’t know whether she wants him or doesn’t want him to recognize her unique writing style.)
(The Professor reads it).
(Great clapping and shouts from the crowd).
The two friends get separated as Beatrice makes her way through the crowd to the podium to accept the 350 Euro prize.
Camilla listening to her best friend taking credit for her essay, moves to the back of the crowd, and then walks to her bike, headed home. Beatrice runs to catch up with her, the prize money in her hand.
BEATRICE. Wait, Cami, wait! Can’t you be happy for me?
(Camilla turns with a frozen, pained and incredulous expression on her face.)
In the softest and saddest voice she replies, searching Beatrice’s face for any sign of her old friend, lost forever.)
CAMILLA. Congratulations, Bea.
(She unlocks her bike, rides away quickly down the cobblestoned street, and leaves Beatrice standing there alone with tears in her eyes, still clutching the envelope with her prize money).
Set Design and Cast
ReplyDeleteI would like Emma Stone to play Camilla as she has the perfect mix of intelligent pretty features and can play the likeable underdog very well. Dakota Fanning could play Beatrice as she has a pretty but sharp face, and I think she has the potential to successfully pull off the entitled, superficial character necessary for this role. The other actors in the cast are all secondary to the main theme of the play and so could be played by character actors.
The set is the front of an 18th century municipal building in Padua. Two huge columns that look like stone would be on either side of the stage. In the middle, a giant mural could depict the building’s facade. Two big simulated stone lions are in front of the columns. The floor could be made to look like cobblestones with some kind of painted canvas. On raised staging, between the two columns is a rectangular table for the professors to be sitting at, and a podium. In front are some cafe tables and chairs placed here and there and a fountain to the right, made of cardboard or fiberboard.
The square is milling with teenagers dressed in hip, fashion conscious teenage clothes.
The lighting is bright to simulate daylight.
Easy to understand clear, and realistic. The fact that this is a true story is something I cannot wrap my poor aching head around. It does, however play well as a "fictional" story (meaning it works without audience needing to know it is a real story). Your stage directions and setting are fitting and certainly more easy to understand than mine :)
Delete(The scene opens in a small room dimly lit by a few lamps. There’s a bed against the upstage wall along with a bedside table. The bed is unmade and a table is strewn with an assortment of pencils, papers, and small change. Along the stage right wall there’s a desk, which is even messier than the bedside table. Clothes strewn on the floor in rolled up in balls, and there is a closet door between the bed and the desk set in the back wall. The walls are painted red and are covered with posters that range from magazine cutouts to 4 x 2 posters of rock ‘n roll bands. Along the stage left wall there is a door. And on one of the bed posts is hung a graduation cap. There is also a suitcase open on the bed. All in all it looks like a normal teenager’s bedroom. A teenager enters from the stage left door. He is dressed head to toe in a superhero costume complete with tights, fake abs, a mask and cape. He marches to the bed and takes off the cape folds it up and holds it over the suitcase and takes a pause.)
ReplyDeleteBoy–You can stop hiding in shadows I know it’s you.
Voice–So are you thinking of giving up?
(A tall man steps out from a closet. He’s wearing a tightly fitted suit, but nevertheless looks slightly untidy and rough around the edges. There is a scar over his left eye and his face is twisted into a knowing smile.)
Man–You should really clean up this place. It looks like the rat hole not that rats are all that bad but you don’t want your mother to have to do all the work when you’re gone.
Boy–I don’t need your advice.
Man–I was just saying…
Boy–I know what your saying
Man–Well no need to get all defensive quite yet.
Boy–How did you get here?
Man–I have my ways and at any rate I wouldn’t miss this for all the cash in the world. It’s the big day, right?
Boy–Yes
Man–Well I knew that already. What I really want to know is are you going to bring that cape?
Boy–(says nothing just stares at his toes)
Man–You’re thinking about it aren’t you? Wouldn’t that be a laughingstock? (Boy whips his head around in anger.) As soon as you get out of the car and you’re wearing that cape you’re life will be over. It will start off with the disbelieving wide-open mouth of every single person that sees you in the hall. You’ll have a few admirers in the beginning who think your trying to make a statement, but when they realize you’re just doing it because you think you’re a real superhero, they will abandon you just like all the others. Eventually, one of your teachers will report you to the school psychiatrist. You’ll have to sit through hours of dull useless garble spewing out of some quack with a certificate who will eventually diagnose you with some crazy mental disorder picked at random from an encyclopedia probably called “endo-caner-toomo-stisya” or “ fertin-bat-o-dorminya”. You will eventually get addicted to the drugs he prescribes for your psychiatric problem. And you will die of some horrific side effect that is associated with the drugs that gave you the illusion of happiness in your last few days of life. And all the while this is happening, everyone who sees you will whisper under their breath, “ There goes cape boy. Bet you think you can fly cape boy.”
Boy–Be quiet.
Man– How’s it feel cape boy.
Boy–Stop it.
Man–It’s a miracle you made it through high school wearing that underneath all your clothes. I bet it got really hot.
Boy–Really shut up.
Man–You’ll never have a girlfriend.
Boy–Who said I was bringing it anyways?
Man–So you’re not.
Boy–I might not.
Man–Well then, I win.
Boy–What?
Man–You heard me. It’s like I asked you in the beginning, “Are you giving up?”
Boy–I’m not giving up.
Man- You leave that cape behind and you are. I remember the day you got that. It was your seventh birthday and you decided that that year’s theme would be superheroes. You invited all your friends and there were superhero games, a superhero piñata, the superhero cake. Then it was time to open presents. And what do you gess your first present was a cape made by Grandma. When you unwrapped it you exploded from your seat screaming at the top of your lungs, ”I got a cape! I got a cape! I got a cape!” It was then that I noticed the ever-growing dark blotch spreading across your pants. I hoped that I was the only one who noticed that. My hope was in soon abated by the high-pitched yell of one of the other kids, “Look he pee- peed his pants.” All the kids scattered, screaming. You were left standing all alone still smiling from ear to ear with your new cape in hand and urine dripping down your leg.
DeleteBoy- what dose this have to do with anything? (man ignores him)
Later that day after your mother got you cleaned up, you came to me wearing your brand-new cape and you asked me, “Do you want to play thuper-heros with me?” I replied “ Sure what do I do?” “ You can be my arch nemethith.” “ What’s my name?” “ You’re the bad guy of course.” “ And who are you?” “ the thuper awethome thuper-hero of awethomeneth and I will defeat you with the powerth of truth, juthtice, and the American way!” From that day forth you and i have had the most incredible adventures that we could imagine. There was a time you had to retrieve the amazing orb of super funness from evil weird old man’s backyard of doom. The time you had to bike faster than the speed of light so you could be the first to watch the new Spiderman movie. And the one time we teamed up to go get super dog Bonnie from the pound. Something about the imaginary world you created fascinated you for 11 years. You endured the names people called you, the jokes made at your expense, the loneliness of having no one to talk to you but yourself, all for this world… And now you think it’s time to give it up.
Boy–Truth and justice and the American way is that what you think I believe in? You’ve been out of the loop for a long time. Look at these walls. I believe in the American way about as much as I believe in math or history. And well truth and justice are important, I guess, but cool cars and hot girls occupy a much larger span of my attention than either of those things.
Man- Are you saying that you don’t care?
Boy–I suffered through four years of high school gym trying to hide my cape under a jersey and those ridiculous shorts. I don’t think I could just stop caring. I’m going away now and there’s no point to a superhero without a super villain.
Man- Then have you decided that now you want to put your whole superhero life behind you.
Boy–I’m not putting it behind me, I’m just going to hide for a while trying to discover the next dastardly plot that my arch nemethith has cooked up, but I can’t risk anyone finding out my true identity.
Man–Sounds like a plan.
(They pause looking at each other. The knock comes on the door)
Boy– Come in mom.
(A woman opens the door and steps into the room.)
mom- I cannot believe the mess in here. Have you started packing? OH ( sees the man) Charles what are you doing home so early?
Man- My boss gave me a few hours off so I could come visit my boy on his last day home.
Mom–Well it won’t be his last day if he doesn’t get packed up and you distracting him is no help. Now son, I think some of your clean clothes are downstairs in the laundry room.
Son- Okay mom on my way
Dad- wait what about this? (holds out cape. Son reaches out and talks the cape. Charles chuckles as Son heads for the door. As he reaches it he turns around and says)
Boy-Thanks.
Dad–Just you wait. You haven’t seen the last of me yet! (Throws down a smoke bomb, and jumps out the window.)
Son – I hope not. (exits)
All set, costumes, ect are described in staging
DeleteIdeal actors would be-
Boy-Michael Cera
Dad-Matthew Broderick
Mom-molly ringwald
Please go to this link to view my scene. Final Edit 9:23 March 12, 2012
ReplyDeletehttps://docs.google.com/a/hanovernorwichschools.org/document/d/1rWQaMT9l4FniwWzpqUw4xWtCCHoNPeEDFtDuf_nvSAM/edit
matt, I thought that this concept was great from the start but i think that with your lighting and staging ideas it would really come to life. the idea of making little kids sinister is absolutely terrifying. i think that the minimalist staging is a good idea considering they are little kids living in a supposedly simple world. However, you say that it is important that Jon stays joyful, maybe when the lights are changing over matt there could be another spot on jon that stays the same so the contrast is more obvious.
DeleteI like the changes that you made. My problem with the earlier draft was the age of the children, because five year olds do not talk like that. I can totally envision two third graders having that conversation, which makes it come to life. I agree that the minimalist set and staging is a good idea because it is such a simple decision and anything more could be overwhelming. It's very nice and all the changes you made were good ones.
DeleteMatt I loved this play already, but now knowing your choice of characters, I don't think you could possibly come up with a better person to play Jon. I love the movie "UP" and I have a much better sense for what feeling you are trying to get across. This all came together really well.
DeleteStage: 3 men sit in a semi circle stage right. Mr Keller sits in the middle in an old faded arm chair with wooden claw feet with the cloth becoming thin in the arm rests. A faded lap quilt is over his lap. Stage right of Mr. Keller sits his Grandson in a straight backed wooden chair, to his left sits the reporter. The set behind them is of white washed walls with a window through which can be seen a porch and garden. Lighting is a rosy gold as if to suggest late afternoon. Center stage and stage left is a bigger set. This shows the facade of many houses lining a street. The houses have small gardens in front of them and the roads are dirt. Far stage left (within the houses) is the interior of the Goldschmit house. There is a small dining table, a door and a small couch. Center, left and far left stage are all dark at the top of the show.
ReplyDeleteCostume: Mr. Keller- An old hunched man with a dark brown sweater, kaki pants and sheep skin slippers. His hair is pure white and whispy.
child Keller- as a child: a brown paige boy cap, knee length shorts, and a white shirt. Navy socks and brown scuffed shoes.
Young Keller- kaki uniform and cap, shoulder bag, army boots, brown belt, hitler youth haircut
Nils- at dressed like young keller but with looks more formal, more clean cut
Lotti- green dress, brown shoes, braided hair, uniform later
Mother- hair in braids pinned up, simple dress
Grandson-gray business suit, glasses, black shoes, tie
Reporter- tan dress pants, glasses, longish hair, blazer thrown over a wrinkled collard shirt
Cast:
Mr. Keller- Ian Holm
Child Keller- Jamie Bell
Young Keller- Michael Cera
Nils- Rob James-Collier (but much less british)
Lotti- Michell Dockery
Mother- Sue Calloway
Grandson- Christopher Meloni
Reporter- Josh Fadem
Lights come up on Reporter Ryan, a young freelance reporter trying to find a story he can sell, Mr. Keller a cantankerous old man and his grandson, a middle aged slightly balding man sitting in chairs in Mr. Keller’s house. The house itself is old and destinctly masculine with an obvious lack of feminine touch.
ReplyDeleteRyan: First I’d like to thank you so much for doing this Mr. Keller. I’m sure this is very hard for you.
Mr. Keller: I’m going to die soon and I need to confess to my sins. I need to tell you everything that I’ve done.
Grandson: Pop, you’re not going to die any time soon.
Ryan: Right, so over the phone your son apologized for not being able to make it. I am aware that this is a very hard topic for you to discuss so feel free to stop at any time. Is it ok if I use a recorder? Now I’d like to start by asking about your childhood. How did your family feel when-
Mr. Keller holds up a hand to stop him
Grandson: Pop, you agreed to do this. At least let him ask one-
Mr. Keller: Hush, don’t interrupt. I want to tell this my way.
Ryan: Of course. Whatever you wish. Take your time.
Mr. Keller: (as he speaks lights come up on center and left stage, characters left stage are silently moving around the house and street illustrating what he is saying. ) Lets see. In Germany it was just my mother, my older sister Lotti, Charlotte to you, and myself. We were by no means rich but we lived comfortably. My father died when I was still quite young in a fire at his job. Then our name was Goldschmidt. We weren’t Jewish but had that name because somewhere in the family someone had been a gold smith. I remember when Hitler came to power. So many families with children in the Youth… We lived near a Jewish neighborhood and had a good deal of them in ours. Sometimes my mother would do her shopping in that neighborhood. She would have the old grandmothers watch my friend Nils and I while she visited the market. We would play in the street with the little Jewish children. At that age it didn’t matter if you were gentile or not. But then came the Hitler Youth. So many of my friends went into it and soon the streets were empty of children to play. The Jewish children would be herded inside if their parents saw anyone on the street, once I tried to talk to a little girl and her mother rushed up as my mother approached. The women said “She wasn’t doing anything wrong. She wasn’t bothering him.” before pulling her daughter into a nearby house. I remember asking my mother why the lady had looked so scared. She just sighed and didn’t say anything. Soon after I noticed my mother beginning to look tired all the time so Lotti and I started eavesdropping on her whenever she had visitors and we started noticing a pattern. Whenever other mothers were around the conversation would always end up talking about the Hitler Youth. The visits always ended when the visiting mother raved about how proud she was of her son and then would look around and ask why Lotti and I hadn’t joined yet. My mother would gently show them the door. My mother was a kind person who would never be able to bear hate towards someone so she preferred to stay as neutral as possible about the Jewish situation. Nils’s mother was the same way.
At school all of the boys and girls would show up with their new haircuts and look at me and ask why I wasn’t at the Youth meetings. This went on for a couple of weeks until I couldn’t stand it anymore and told my mother I wanted to join the Hitler youth. We had a huge fight that night and she refused to let me join. I resented her but at least I still had Nils who’s mother had also kept him out. But soon he joined and got the haircut and showed me his uniform. He told me that if I still wanted to join he could help with that. That night, very late that night, there was a knock on our door. Lotti opened the door and outside stood two uniformed men. I remember Lotti hurrying me into the other room and we sat in silence.
After the uniforms left my mother informed my sister and I that would we would be joining the Hitler youth the next day. She looked so sad when she said that and Lotti’s face looked so much older than she really was.
ReplyDeleteRyan: Are you alright Mr. Keller?
Mr. Keller: Yes, of course. Oh, I was so excited. The next day I showed up to my first meeting after school with my new haircut and Nils congratulated me on joining. The things they told us…
Ryan: Um, I was told there was a specific event you needed to tell me?
(child Keller exit, Young keller enter)
Mr. Keller: Hush you, I’m getting to that. In the Youth we were taught to be good citizens. Lotti learned to take care of a house and I was trained for the military. As you can see I am not a big man and the years have taken their toll. When I was in 19 or 20 I was given a messenger job. I was honored, I was given a special uniform and my own bike. Nils was also made a messenger even though he made it clear he would rather be patrolling the streets. Soon we were carrying packages as well as paper deliveries. We were never told what was in them, we were only given the address and who to give it to. Soon I began noticing all of them were for women. Usually I would wait in the street while Nils walked to the door but one day we were told he was reassigned to street patrol. That was the first day I made the deliveries on my own…
Ryan: Mr. Keller?
Mr. Keller has started to shake
Grandson:Pop? If you want to stop we-
Mr. Keller: forcefully No! No. I delivered 3 packages the first day. A woman would answer the door and I would tip my hat and leave. I did this for a while. So many packages. Then one time as I was walking away from the door I saw a little boy with dark curly hair and huge dark eyes watching me. He reminded me of me when I was that young except for the hair color so I stopped to talk to him. I was just showing him the buttons on my uniform when I heard screaming from within the house I had just left. The little boy pulled away from me with such fear in his eyes. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that horrified expression. At the next house I am ashamed to say I stayed around after giving her the package. A few seconds later I heard a crash from inside and a girls face framed by dark hair briefly appeared in the window before pulling the curtains closed.
I still had two more packages but my curiosity got the best of me. I stopped in a nearby park before the next house and opened the package. Inside was a wooden box. The top flipped up and inside was a fine gray chalky powder. I sifted through it and-
Mr. Keller shudders and begins to shake again, choking on his words
And, I- I found a wedding ring.
Grandson: Pop…
Mr. Keller: completely breaking down I was delivering their Husbands. Every time I delivered a box I was handing someone their husbands remains. I had turned into the messenger of death. I left the last box on the doorstep. I couldn’t bear having to face the unknowing widow.
I went looking for Nils. I wanted to know if he knew what we had been doing. He was my closest friend and I never dreamed he would have kept such a thing from me. I caught him walking with some of the other patrol men at the end of their shifts.
Young Keller: Nils! Nils, I need to talk to you.
Nils:Can’t it wait?
Y Keller:No. (grabs Nils’ arm sharply, Nils turns and glares, keller takes a step back)
Nils: Make it quick. (glances and companions)
Y Keller: (whisper) Nils, did you know what was in those packages we delivered?”
Nils: does it matter?
ReplyDeleteY Keller: (voice cracking) It was the ashes of men. We were delivering their ashes to their families.
Nils yanks away
Nils: They weren’t men, they were only Jews. Of course I knew what was in the boxes! The camps send them home to their wives and brats. Your mother protects you too much. Haven’t you noticed people disappearing? We’ve been shipping off the rats for weeks now.
Y Keller: (takes a step back) Stop it
Nils: I’ve been asked to help. It’s always the same when we come for them, some of them try and fight us, some go quietly, some even cry. The women always cry and beg us while the brats scream in the corner. We cram them onto busses and then their none of our concern.
Y Keller: Stop it!
Nils: Don’t you want to know what happens once they get to the camps
Y Keller: Stop! (shoves Nils away)
Nils: (grabs kellers shoulders hard and brings face close, whisper) We are purifying humanity
Everyone sits in a frozen silence
Mr. Keller: That very night I went to someone who could make me fake papers.
(we see Y Keller silently walking through the street on a dark night and meeting with some shady characters)
I was told for the right amount of money I could have them in a week. That week was hell. I couldn’t tell anyone, not Lotti, not my mother. If someone came asking about me they couldn’t know anything. Finally I got the papers and hid them under my mattress. Every night I would count my money and take the papers out and look at them thinking about what they meant to me. I could use them to escape this hell and run to another country. But I would be leaving friends, or at least those I had once called friends, and everything I’d ever known. But hardest of all would be leaving Lotti and my mother. The women who had raised me to see clearly. But staying meant living in hell and delivering it into the hands of innocents. It meant living with the knowledge that people I had known since childhood were being forced from their homes and taken somewhere I cannot even imagine.
As you can guess I ran. I cannot imagine why I was so excited to join that cult, I suppose I was young and impressionable.
(we see the set change into a country background and Y Keller hiking, lights fade on stage left)
It pains me that I couldn’t even leave a note for Lottie the night I disappeared. I traveled by train and walked in heavily patroled areas. There were several close encounters but as you can see I survived it….
Mr. Keller sits back as if to say he is done talking
Ryan: Have you ever returned to your town?
Mr. Keller: No, never and I have no wish to.
Ryan: And your mother and Charlotte?
Mr. Keller: (sadly) I do not know what became of them. I did not dare write until much much later. An old neighbor woman wrote back and told me they had moved away soon after I left. I suppose it was for the best. I would hate to think what would happen if they were suspected in helping me leave… May we stop now?
Ryan: Oh, of course. I thank you so much Mr. Keller.
Blackout
Cans and Choices
ReplyDelete((There are a number of options for this scene. It can be conducted as a monologue, without any props, leaving it to the imagination. Or, you could do it more traditionally, as a standard scene, set in a isle in a supermarket. A third option would be a hybrid of the two, with one actor reciting the monologue, and three people performing the scene in pantomime.))
My personal dream cast:
Him: Woody Allen/Edward Norton
Him: I stare at my options furiously, sweat beading on my brow, raw desperation in my eyes. Two choices. Both equally compelling. So much alike, and yet so fundamentally different. No going back, once the choice is made.
Girl: “Um....excuse me?”
A voice snaps me out of my struggle. I look around, mentally cursing the voice for interrupting me.
Girl: “Um...excuse me? You’re...kinda in my way.”
Him: A teenage girl, all short skirts, long limbs, and self-conscious self-obsession pushes past me, and casually, easily effortlessly grabs a Dr Pepper. Lucky girl. As she walks away, she gives me a glance usually reserved for homeless people, people with contagious diseases, or large, possibly rabid animals. I can see her mouth form the word “Creep.”
Him: I pretend not to notice, turning away quickly. The two soft drink cans, Coke, and Pepsi stare back at me, taunting, mocking, daring me to choose...and risk eternal damnation.
Him: Coke, or Pepsi. Both have merits. Once wrapped seductive red smoothness, the other in an alluring azure curves. Nearly the same taste, same formula...but a world of difference.
Him: I should probably explain at this point that I don’t normally leave the house. Ever since an incident involving a box of Crayola Crayons (52 colors of lifetime neurosis!) I’ve been terrified of choices. And the world is just filled with choices. Terrifying, maddening, painful, tiny, endlessnaggingtorturousgnawingagonizingchoices!
(He takes a deep breath)
Him: However, today’s special. Today, I’m going to do something different. I’m going to turn over a new leaf. I’ll be bold, confidant, suave, smooth, and completely in control. I’ve got this. Really.
Him: It’s judgement day. I have to do it. I have to end this. Damned if I do, damned if I don’t. Catch 22. Either way, I suffer for my choice. There’s only one want to end this, however. I start to reach out. My hand shakes. My eyelid starts to twitch. My hand draws closer...closer...I’m panting with effort. Sweat runs down my face.
Him: My hand closes around cold metal. I gasp, then scream, a raw, primal howl of triumph, a caveman standing of the battered corpses of my enemies. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a little old lady, with hair, fluffy pink sweater, fall over, clutching her chest and gasping in shock. Not important. Causality of war. It’s the law of the jungle, baby. I shuffle toward the checkout, stepping over the little old lady as she convulses on the ground. Someone’s screaming for an ambulance. I don’t care. I have my soda.
Him: As I check out, I don’t even look at the label on the soda can. I don’t want to know. I squeeze, my eyes shut as the man at the checkout rings up my drink. When I open my eyes, the cashier is holding out his hand.
Cashier: “Cash, or Credit?”
((End Scene))
A scene in Best Buy, a guy, Paul and his best friend and roommate in college, Mike. Paul is ponding whether to buy the cheap vacuum cleaner or the expensive, but more powerful one.
ReplyDelete"Awe.. I don't know dude, its just hard, I mean, the cheap one is only fifty bucks, but seems like it'll broken after half a year using it. The expensive one seems powerful, like it can suck up your carpet, but its gonna cost me half my part time salary."
"Oh common, its getting late, and we've been here for like…(look at his watch) what!? One hour!" says Mike, shockingly.
"Alright man, Im sorry for taking so much time, you pick one, and were outta here."
"Its ok, well, just pick the cheap one, who cares if it break down, well just buy a new one then, even doubling the price, its still cheaper than the expensive one."
"Yeah, think it makes sense, yeah…yeah, well just..(reaches out his hand to pick up the vacuum cleaner) (pauses when touches the cleaner) Yeah, I understand what you're saying but…. what if its too weak to suck up the tiny things or the things stuck in the corner? Or, or, or the chips stuck in the couch? Our front door mattress?"
"Alright then, pick the powerful one so there will be no regrets."
"Yeah… two hundred bucks…. darn thats four shirts, or shoes, dude, I can buy a PSVita with two hundred bucks!"
"Just pick it up and go to the god damn counter!" says Mike furiously.
"Alright alright alright! sorry man, its just so hard to spend half of your salary! or four shirts! or a PSVita! I just need more time to convince myself that this is worth the money!"
"Five minutes, thats all you've got"(turning his head away)
-FIVE MINUTES LATER-
"Alright man, Ive decided, I'll pick the expensive one"(picks up the vacuum cleaner completely) (they both walks down the aisle, and there is a vacuum cleaner on sale on the bottom of the aisle)
"Holly god, man, did you see that!? Its on sale! it seems to be a powerful one and its only a hundred and fifty bucks!"(excitingly)
"Turn your head back and keep walking"(indifferently)
"Common dude, I don't want to waste any money, I don't care, Im gonna take a look."(rushes to the vacuum cleaner)"See!? 4500 rpm! same as this one! this is a bargain!"
"Alright alright, pick that one and snap"
ReplyDelete"Yeah! Awesome!"(super exciting with a huge smile on his face)"But uh… why do you think its on sale? I mean, theres got to be a problem with this one, I mean, I mean, maybe it sells bad, no customers! Why it there no customers? Maybe its not as good as it was supposed to be!"
"You know what? Im done! Im sick of you being picky, Im sick of spending an hour and a half picking on vacuum cleaners! ITS JUST A VACUUM CLEANER!!"(a volcano erupting in his head)
" "Only" a vacuum cleaner!? "only"? Its vacuum cleaner! Weather you live your life easy or not, it all depends on this vacuum cleaner! and I don't want to waste money, its money we are talking about! Cant believe it."
"Oh give me a break, depends on thi…."
(interrupts)"And dare you pick up the word ''picky'' no one calls me picky, we went through this! Last time you said I was picky, we had a month in slience! You want that!?"
"I don't care man, Im done, you drive yourself home, Im done here."(walks away)
"Don't you walk away from me, once you step over the line, we are done! for good!"
Mike(keeps walking)
Paul(throws the vacuum cleaner on the floor(the expensive one))
Best Buy staff''Hey kid, you've got to pay for that!"
END
Paul and Mike ''were'' choosing which vacuum they should buy, but when they had an argument, what they are really choosing is weather to pick the vacuum or their friend. They were too focused on choosing the vacuum cleaner that they overlooked their friendship, which is as known as, the adding value(of Paul's insistence to pick the vacuum and of Mike's decision not to continue to pick the vacuum)
Paul: Over weight, shorter than average, long hair, rusty voice, low pitch.
Mike: Medium weight, medium height, corn row, fast speaker.
Ideal actor: Paul: Martin Lawrence, Mike: Will Smith.
A Juggling Act
ReplyDelete(Johanna is in a soccer field where she has played for the last three years. The field is muddy and beat up and the lighting is cloudy and a little bit dark. A goal can be seen on the side of the field. Johanna is juggling the soccer ball and is quite impressive. She talks to her friend Lily who participates in the school musical every year. Any teenage actress, preferably unknown, can play Lily and Johanna so they can play the role innocently. They are dressed in casual school clothes. Johanna looks very sporty and athletic, wearing a team jacket.)
LILY: Why are you so determined to be the next big star of the soccer team?
JOHANNA: We have the potential to be the State Champions this year. With the array of talent coming up and I don’t want to miss out on something that big!
LILY: Johanna, last year you complained nonstop about not being able to play at all.
JOHANNA: But this year is going to be different. Sarah graduated. I might get to play this year.
LILY: Isn’t that the same thing that you said last year.
( Johanna stops juggling and catches the ball. She sits down and thinks for a second. She continues to fiddle with the ball, throwing it back in forth in her hands. The lighting gradually begins to brighten and Johanna takes off her athletic jacket as it appears to be getting warmer.)
JOHANNA: I guess that’s true…
LILY: Why don’t you try something new? Maybe branch out and meet new friends? You should do the musical with me!
JOHANNA: But I can’t dance… And I’ve never acted before.
LILY: Everyone has to start somewhere! I had never acted before my first production and I love it!
JOHANNA: But aren’t the dances really hard?
LILY: You’ll learn them. You won’t get it immediately but by the performance no one will be able to take their
eyes off of you.
JOHANNA: You’re just saying that because you want me to do the musical.
LILY: What if I am? You’ll have more fun than you’ve had in a long time with the soccer team.
JOHANNA: And you’re the only one I know doing the musical.
LILY: The best thing about theatre is the community that comes with it. It might be scary not to know anybody and to put yourself out there. But it pays off. By the end of the musical I guarantee that you will be twice as close to the people in the cast then you would be to your soccer team if you played soccer again.
JOHANNA: I only wish I could do both. But I guess, doing the musical doesn’t mean I can never play soccer again. There are always other teams and other years. I guess I’ll give it a try. Maybe meet some new people. Who knows maybe I’ll be the next star on Broadway!
(JOHANNA warbles the first verse to a song, hitting a number of wrong notes and showing no musical ability. LILY and JOHANNA both burst into laughter at her off-key solo. They stand up and Johanna punts the soccer ball into the goal and leaves it there as she and LILY walk away from the field.)
Sally a 14 year old girl has just moved to town and was invited to a neighborhood BBQ. The time has come to decided what to eat. Hot dog? Or Hamburger? This decision could make or break her relationship with the neighborhood kids.
ReplyDeleteOh no, it's almost my turn. What do I do? If I choose the hot dog, they will think I'm graceful, picking that thin, perfectly shaped meat perfectly placed in a nice little bun. But If I choose the hamburger, they might think I’m manly. At home, all the biker chicks ate them. I used to watch the meat fly from their mouths as they tried to talk while eating. But if I choose the hot dog, they might think I’m boring. Its just so simple and there isn't much risk. But isn't that what friendship is about, taking risks? If I don’t take risks, maybe I’ll never make friends. So I better eat the hamburger it is so deep, it has so much to it. The lettuce, the tomato, the pickles, the onion, ketchup, and mustard. There’s so much to it. But the hamburger is so messy. What if they think I’m a slob? The hot dog is neat.... but what if they judge me for making the easier choice? Okay hurry up.... make a decision.. There's only one person left. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH
"Hello, Sally. What would you like? A hot dog or a hamburger?"
I think that the perfect actor for my monologe would be Nathan. Even though the character is a girl I think that he could pull it off. He has the best senses of humer and sarcasm which is what im trying to get across in this monologe. I will have Sally (nathan) standing in the center of the stage with noises of children laughing and playing all around her (him). There will be a back drop with a sky and some grass, but there will be no props. At the end when Sally is asked what she would like nathan will become that character as well.
ReplyDeleteHalli Valentine
ReplyDeleteThis scene takes place on a warm summer day in the park. Joe is sitting down on an old stained wooden bench with black spray painted metal to hold the old wood together. To the right of him there is a large oak tree, so tall that it block the afternoon sun. In front of him is a paved path that connects the parts of the park together. Joe is also 18. He is wearing shorts, a navy blue t-shirt and sneakers.
Sally is 18 years old and she is wearing blue jeans, a light t-shirt, and sneakers. Her hair is up in a pony tail.
(Joe is sitting on the bench leaning over with his head in his hands trying to understand what just happened to and make sense of it. He starts whispering to himself.)
(Sally is walks over to the bench. She looks worried seeing Joe like that. She walked over to joe and stands in front of him for a few seconds before saying anything.)
Sally- Hey Joe....
Joe- Hi Sally.... I'm sorry for....for just running out like that..... it just that I was so surprised when you told me.
(Sally sits down next to him, while talking)
Sally- Yeah well so was I... I almost passed out when I found out!
(Sally giggled a little to try to make Joe feel a little better)
(Joe is still melancholy, but he smiles a little knowing what sally was trying to do)
Joe- Hmmmm
Sally- and I mean we both know will be ok..... Right?
Joe- Of course we will...
( Joe could here the worry in her voice and tries to comfort her)
(Sally put her head on Joe's shoulder)
Sally- Do you really think so?
(Joe sat there quietly, contemplating what it was he would say next)
Joe- I'm a 97% sure that we will be fine!
(Sally picks her head up and said in a sarcastic voice)
Sally- yeah well That Trojan condom box said that to..... And apparently that 3% is more effective then they say.....
Joe- Yeah apparently... But I have had that condom for 10 years, and what about you.....?
(Joe says in a promiscuous and snooty way)
Sally- (in a defensive tone) What about me? And why would you think to use a condom from 10 years ago? Are you mental?
Joe- (in a sarcastic voice)What about that turtle shell thingy that you use why didn't that thingy work? Huh?
Sally- What? What turtle shell thing? What the hell are you talking about?
(Sally frantically waves her hands in a confusing manner)
Joe- You know that half round squishy thing!.....
Sally- Oh my gosh you are such an idiot! (giggles a little) were you ever paying attention in health class? That half round squishy thing is called a diaphragm.
( sally rolls her eyes and laughs)
Joe- Oh psssh of course I knew that.... ( laughs nervously) I just wanted to make sure you knew that...
(in a stuttering voice)
Sally- Oh yeah ok!
(Looking questioningly at him)
( They laughed a little more then they both went silent for a few moments)
Joe- So what do we do know?
Sally- Well I guess its up to you....
Joe- What do you mean by that? Isn't it up to both of us?
Sally- I have already made my decision...
Joe- And what have you decided to do?
Sally- (in a low unswore voice) I'm going to keep it...
Joe- Oh.... Well
Sally- I mean well what do you think?
Joe- I.. I don't know
Sally- What do you mean?
Joe- Damn it Sally I love you, you know that. But I don't want a child. I'm not ready for that. My life is just about to start, maybe when I'm older I can deal with this, but not now. I mean have you thought about adoption?
Sally- No I'm going to keep it...
Joe- Well its me or the child Sally....
Sally- (proudly says) I would choose the child....
Joe- (in exploding rage) You selfish wench!!!!
(Joe explodes and storms off waving his hands like a mad man)
Halli, this is really good. When most students write a scene, their dialogue is very choppy and not coherent with the overall scene. With you it's the opposite! Your dialogue's flow is excellent. I loved what crossroads you chose, and I exceptionally love the depth you gave each character. I also think the stage direction is this is very clear and precise. The way how you didn't blatantly say what the scene/big problem was about made it even better. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteThe Cross Roads
ReplyDeleteThere are these three guys. They were trekking Ural Mountains. It had been a good month of hiking and after seeing a small mountain town they decided they deserved some hot food and a soft bed. As they walked down the switchback trail a blizzard hit. The wind whipped at the three boys jackets and tore their faces raw. The sharp knife of the frozen western Russia air dug deep into their core and the warmth slowly dripped out of them like blood from a sharp knife that was just thrust through a throbbing heart.
The three friends stumbled on; eventually through the flying snow . . . a fork in the path appeared. The three hikers stood in silence, they had no idea which way led down to the village, and safety.
“This is not on the map” said Ben, muffled by the howling winds. Steve and Jack huddled in close as a shiver ran down the back of all three.
“let me see that” Jack said, his voice tense with fear and anxiety. A gap in the clouds appeared and through it glared the silver platter of a full moon; it flashed a glow of silver mist across the icy landscape, but vanished as quickly as it had come.
“Which way do we go?” Steve asked with fear dripping from his voice, he didn’t know why but is felt as though his very consciousness was touched by the freezing touch of the cold, as though it was a knife being dug into his chest. He felt it more than heard it but to him it seemed that a low growl hummed among the uncontrollable gusts of the demon like storm.
“The left fork looks like it goes the same way as the path on the map” said Ben, raising his voice above the din of the uncontrollable wind.
“No, let’s not go right” replied Steve, this time not with fear, but with a hint of conviction in his voice.
“Why not? You heard Ben it’s the same as on the map” jack said with some irritation.
“I just don’t think it’s the right way, we need to go right, I’m sure of it”
Ben was almost frozen and did not hide the anger in his voice when he replied: “shut up, were going left, if you don’t want to follow then you can stay here and die, or take the right fork and get lost and eventually die”
“Ben? What’s wrong with you man?” asked jack nervously
“Nothing . . . let’s go”
Ben started to trudge down the trail, scared and confused by their friend’s sudden outburst, jack and Steve followed in his foot prints. Ben was soon far ahead of them and his figure was lost in the winding and plunging snow. Jack and Steve walked slowly in his footprint
All of a sudden they ended, without a trace
The two turned in circles looking for Ben, as they turned around they saw a silhouette hanging in the whipping snow like a body bag.
It felt like a knife but it could have been a claw. . .
THE SCENE: john and donna are at another shop. Donna is currently changing into a pink ruffled dress while john is waiting outside bored out of his mind. Donna finally comes out.
ReplyDeleteDonna: so I think this dress is better than the purple one plus my mom says im one of the few people who can pull off this type of pink.
John : Of course dear you look beautiful in all of the dresses you wear but how about you pick one ?
Donna: well that is sweet of you but we’ve got time dear don’t worry about it it’s only 3 the movie starts a 7:20
John: I guess but what about you pick dress and then you can wear your new dress to the movie tonight does that sound good to you?
Donna: oh that is a wonderful idea! Ok so I think I want this one but I need to know something
John: yes, dear?
Donna: does it make me look fat?
(off to the side lights would go out on donna it would be a monologue thing)
John : it’s a trap! What ever I say will be used against me. DAMN I just wanted a nice night we would go see the movie go home and I would not have her nag at me for a whole week. If I say no she will think im lieing to her and that I have always lied to her BUT if I say that it does, and let’s face it she has gained a few pounds, then she will want to blow up in my face and not go out . I really wanted to see that damn movie. Wait she has a good sense of humour maybe she will not be so mad if I make a joke out of it . no that will never work so I guess I ether answer and im in hell for the rest of the night or I could walk out and go see that movie without her face the fire when I get back.
(lights come back up on an expectant donna tapping her foot)
John: honey I would just like to say……(inching toward off stage)
(john runs off stage)
Donna : JOHN!!!!!
LIGHTS FADE
Scene:
ReplyDeleteMort and Wes, two over-excited interns at a local hospital, open the door to they’re new apartment. The old, time worn apartment walls are bare and except for a 70’s style white shag carpet, it was empty. Gazing into the different tattered corners of the room, Wes notices a note on the table with small almost illegible writing on it. There is a small ceiling fan on low speed rumbling on the ceiling, and a dim white light is placed upon the set.
Costumes:
Mort: An old baseball cap, jean shorts, a size small black deep v-neck tee, a loose bow-tie, and aviator sunglasses.
Wes: Tattered overalls, a pale blue turtleneck, and a large gold necklace.
Wes glances at the note.
Wes: Mort, did you leave this here?
Mort: I don’t remember, I only came in here briefly before work today and i’m almost positive the room was totally empty.
Wes: Well someone left it here. Look, the signature at the bottom is certainly yours. (Wes holds the paper up to the light)
Mort: (grabbing paper) Well this is odd, that is my signature. You don’t think someone was going through my things do you?
Wes: I hope not, lets see what it has to say. (takes paper back and begins to read)
“If you want to live, look under the rug and choose.”
Mort: Thats weird..
Wes: (ripping rug off of the floor) Mort, you better have a look at this. Someone has etched something into the floor. (reaching under the rug) I’ts a picture, of you and I, but it has a heading.
“One must live, the other must go”
Mort: Is this some sort of joke?
Wes: You think I would joke about something like this? I just bought this place, little did i know I would end up rooming with a haunted doctor.
Mort: Look i’m sure it is just some sort of prank the landlord is playing on us. lets just put it down and set up our beds for the night.
(The light goes down, two sleeping bags and a few pillows are put out on the floor. A second light comes up with the table still in the center, a second note beside the first.)
Wes: (already awake, looking at the new note) Mort! Look, a second note.
Mort: Wha..What? Jesus Wes you scared me. You say another note?
Wes: Yes. Except...wait a moment. Thats...thats my signature on the back. (flips paper over) Thats my signature..
Mort: (snatches paper out of Wes’ hand) I don’t believe this. (Rips up note) “Tick-Tock”
Wes: This is getting ridiculous.
Mort: Your telling me....
ReplyDeleteWes: This is some sort of a gosh darn practical joke. Who the hell has a key to this house?
Mort: How am I supposed to know? As far as i’m concerned its just some kids trying to mess with our heads. Lets just forget about it and go to work.
Wes: You're right Mort, Lets forget about it.
(Lights go down)
(Lights back up, with a hooded man sitting in a rocking chair behind the table)
Wes: (Walks in, stage left.) Hello?
Man: (In a hushed tone) Hello Wes.
Mort: (Behind Wes) Who’s that?
Wes: Who are you?
Man: Who I am is not important. What i’ve come to do should be much more of your concern.
Mort: What do you mean? This is my home, and I suggest you leave before I call the police.
(Door slams)
Man: I don’t think you will be calling anybody. I suggest you sit down, Mort. I have come to do what you two seem incapable of doing. My client has put it on me to do a simple task.
Wes: You wrote those notes?
Man: No, not me. I am just a messa..well I am just a middleman. I simply complete orders.
Mort: Well I order you to tell me just what the hell is going on.
Man: The room you are sitting in right now used to belong to a very significant human being. Although he passed away several years ago, in this very room, no one has dared rent out the room. He still lives in here, just in a way so you cannot see him. He has many friends in the world he lives in now, and he has ordered a bounty on your heads. He has sent me here to ensure you that you can either turn to each other and do it yourselves, or let me do it right now.
Wes: (looks over at mort) Mo..
Mort: (glancing at the man) I’ll do it.
West: What?
Mort: Give me something to do it with.
Man: (Hands Mort a small pistol)
Mort: (trembling) I....(points the gun at himself)
Wes: No...
Mort: I’m sorry, but (points gun at man) I’ve chosen.
Man: No!
Mort: (shoots)
Man: (falls, only a robe is left, leaving no body in sight)
(Red light comes on)