PRE-SHOW ACTIVITIES
HOW DO PLAYWRIGHTS WRITE MONOLOGUES EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF HISTORICAL TRAGEDIES ON DIVERSE CULTURAL GROUPS?
(Common Core Code: CCLS W11-12.3b)
This writing activity prepares students to listen to a debate central to If I Forget about how the Holocaust continues to shape Jewish identity today.
DISCUSS
Read and discuss Trauma in Collective Memory (page 16) and American Jews and the Holocaust (page 6) in this Upstage. How do diverse cultural groups experience the legacy of past tragedies and oppression? In addition to the Holocaust, American slavery, and the Irish famine, you may also discuss defining events for other cultures.
WRITE
Imagine a character who survived one of these events (or another event that impacts their culture), speaking to someone younger who was not alive during the event. Use the prompts below to compose a monologue (a speech for one character). Write in first-person, from the character’s point-of-view: • What major event(s) did you experience? When did it happen? • What is a personal memory you have of the event? • How has this experience impacted the rest of your life? • Why is this event important to your culture or ethnic group?
SHARE REFLECT
You may have students research the event and challenge them to be historically accurate. Invite a few students to read their monologues to the class.
Why is it important to know the history of your own culture as well as other cultures? Why do traumatic or tragic events have lasting impact on cultures who experienced them?
HOW DOES A COSTUME DESIGNER REVEAL A CHARACTER’S SOCIAL CLASS AND PERSONALITY?
If I Forget explores the life of three adult siblings, each of whom has a distinct perspective on the personal and financial issues surrounding caring for their elderly father.
CHOOSE READ
Choose one character to design a costume for: HOLLY (40s, an aspiring interior designer), MICHAEL (40s, a college professor), SHARON (40s, an elementary school teacher)
Read the quotes from that character HERE. What do they reveal about the character’s financial status? Personality?
DESIGN
Design a costume for that character. How does their occupation affect their clothing choices? Their social class or financial status? Their personality?
SHARE
Share your designs. What are the similarities between designs of the same character? The differences? Why did each designer select those particular colors, textures, and silhouettes?
20 ROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANY
FOR EDUCATORS
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24
