LITR 3731: Creative Writing
Student Drama Submission 2003

Reani King

A Drama Assignment

Characters:

Dr. White

Robin

Reani

Laurie

Robert

Concept sentence:

A group of students speak out about their concerns on an assignment in a Creative Writing class.

Theme sentence:

If questions are not asked and problems not recognized, assignments will not get accomplished.

Scene:

The instructor has just given the class an assignment to write a dramatic scene. Many of the students are wary about the assignment, but none know how to approach the problem so no questions are asked. Finally, one student, after an embarrassing moment opens the floor to questions and concerns.

(Dr. White turns to the class, which is staring back at him with blank looks.)

Dr. White: Are there any questions or concerns about the assignment?

Reani: (bewildered) Where do I start? What exactly is expected?

Laurie: Is there a certain genre that we have to do?

Dr. White: The scene is drama; however, it can be any genre, even comedy. I just expect you to be creative, use at least three characters, and place it in the classroom setting.

Reani: (quietly, to herself) What does he mean write a drama about the classroom? I don’t even know these people.

(Robin nudges Reani in order to get her attention. Dr. White has just asked her a question, but all she heard was …

Dr. White: …individuality of character? Reani?

Reani:  (looking embarrassed for having been caught off guard.)  I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you. I must have zoned out. Can you repeat the question, please ?

Dr. White: (acting irritated that he was ignored by a student.) What is the importance of the individuality of character? Why are you not with the rest of the class?

Reani: I’m sorry, Dr. White. I’m just really concerned about writing a drama set in the classroom using students I don’t really know anything about. I don’t want to upset anyone or start a riot.

Laurie: (seeing Reani’s embarrassment) Yeah, Dr. White I’m having some issues with that as well.

Dr. White: Let’s get through the discussion and I will come back to the drama assignment. Reani, can you answer the question on character please?

Reani: Well, Minot points out that there needs to be something that makes each character memorable. He goes on to explain that through an original plot and vivid setting the individuality of characters is what makes them memorable to the reader.

Dr. White: Yes, exactly.

(after the discussion about character has ended Dr. White returns to the Drama assignment)

Dr. White: Okay. The questions about drama asked earlier were all good questions. Yes, the drama scene has to incorporate students from this class and although you do not know all the students, you are familiar with them through class. However, the characters do not have to reflect the true character of the student named in the dramatic scene.

Robin: How do we keep from hurting anyone?

Reani:  (interrupting Robin) Say for instance, we decide to write about a student being stalked by another student. Or…

Laurie: (interrupting Reani) What about a student turning into an alien or some other horrible creature?

Dr. White: Those are all good ideas.

Reani:  (looking at Dr. White) Okay. What if we write about you as a Dr. Jekyll /Mr. Hyde character, would you be offended? (looking at Robin) I don’t know if I would want to be written as a student being stalked by another (turning to Laurie) or an alien.

Dr. White: (seeing Robert walk in the class late) Robert, would it bother you to be written as a stalker or stalkee?

Robert: (looking stunned) Well, it depends on the circumstances of the scene. I wouldn’t want to be put in a situation with any other class member where I hurt anyone while stalking them. I just wouldn’t want my name associated with anything cruel or devious.

Robin: I realize it is all in the name of learning a craft, but why do we have to stick with class members?

Dr. White: I put the setting in the classroom to cut down on the amount of stage direction needed for the scene, and because you are all familiar with the students in this particular class.

Reani: I don’t mind being your guinea pig, but maybe, in the future you might consider expanding the perimeters of the assignment to the school not just the classroom.

Dr. White: (shrugging ) Well, look at the drama scenes I have posted on the web site. It is a little too late to be changing the assignment now; however, I may decide to change the criteria in the future.  Thank you for your questions and concerns.