I. DISCUSSION: Answer ALL of the following four (4) questions, and label your answers. Write about 200 words for each answer:
A. CHEKHOV’S THE PROPOSAL: You have now read “The Proposal.” Now, let’s have a discussion on ‘The Engine of the Story.’ Every play has some stylistic technique, a trick, a gimmick, a plot twist, that makes it work, that keeps what is happening on the stage interesting for the audience. I call this the ‘engine’ of the story. In each case the ‘engine’ of the story is something different. Can you identify what it is for this play? Talk about what the ‘engine’ of the story for “The Proposal.” What is it that drives The Proposal, and makes it so interesting from moment to moment? Think about this, because there is one ‘thing’ that is at work in this play, and that keeps us interested. What is it?
B. IVES’S THE PHILADELPHIA: You have now read “The Philadelphia.” Let’s return to ‘The Engine of the Story.’ Regarding The Philadelphia, what is it that drives this play. It’s a different thing than what drives The Proposal. Can you identify what it is?
C. HEARTBREAKER: We usually expect the main character in a story to ‘change’ by the end. But although Vuthy seems to be the main character here, it does not seem to be Vuthy who changes in any way, but rather his sister Ra. Discuss the change in Ra, and whether you think that makes her the main character?
D. COME INTO THE GARDEN, MAUD: There is something about this play that threatens to derail it from reaching its destination, which is to satisfy the audience. What is it about this play that is frustrating when you read it? What is the thing that makes the play difficult to believe? (Hint: It has to do with a simple question that neither of the characters asks.)
II. PROMPT: Chose ONLY ONE (1) of the following, and label your choice:
A. DRAMATIC SCENE: MISUNDERSTANDING: Write a dramatic scene based on some kind of misunderstanding. Some examples:
-Wrong Person (Mistaken Identity)
-Wrong Place
-Wrong Day or Date
Let your characters discover the misunderstanding through DIALOG.
-OR-
B. DRAMATIC SCENE: PERSUASION: Write a dramatic scene in which a character (or characters) must persuade another character (or characters) to do something they absolutely DO NOT want to do.
-OR-
C. DRAMATIC SCENE: TWINS: Twins who have been separated since childhood are reunited: how might this come about? Write the opening scene to this play (which will include only one of the twins, but not yet the other). How would you do this?
The readings are attached
