JPDesign

“Sure Thing” Design Questions Jenna Pallansch

>>> The play is representational; the audience does not participate in the action but instead passively watches the actors. The actors are portraying a realistic scene to the audience even though a bell signifies multiple restarts of the same scene throughout the play. The audience is meant to observe the action and to recognize some of their own failings in the beginnings of relationships throughout the many mistakes Betty and Bill make. >>> Considering that there are only two characters, the positioning of the audience is rather flexible. Bill makes multiple exits throughout the play and Betty's position at the table is stationary, so the audience could not be on all sides. However, the play could be shown in a black box theatre, as the more intimate setting would allow the audience to better read the facial expressions and cues of a play that has few actions. >>> The time period of the dramatic action is modern but isn't specified. The reference to watching early Woody Allen movies suggests that the action of the play occurs sometime after the early 1970's. The dramatic action is the entire conversation between Betty and Bill. The movement is found in the multiple restarts and frequent exits of Bill, but most of the action is simply sitting and talking. >>> The geographical location is not stated in the play. The setting is supposed to be a café in a suburban or urban area somewhere in America. Specific landmarks, local slang, or other identifying features are not mentioned. The generic setting is likely to try and make all audience members feel a connection with Betty and Bill's multiple attempts at the right chain of answers to form a relationship. >>> The time of day is unspecific, but it is sometime Friday night. They discuss seeing a movie after and are at a restaurant, so it is likely sometime between 6 and 9 o'clock at night. >>> The character's personalities are flexible; the same is true of the set. Betty and Bill are as generic as their names and change their opinions and backgrounds across scenes. Likewise, the restaurant is generic, the book Betty is reading is a classic, and the costumes are not mentioned. Betty would be likely dressed in jeans with a sweater or blouse. Bill would be similarly casual, but clean-cut. Based on their dialogue, the reader envisions the same kind of casual and unremarkable dress of both characters. The lighting would most likely be similarly simple. Harsh or surrealistic lighting would serve no purpose to the characters or plot of the play; the lighting should be slightly dimmed to give the feeling of night time. The music would be soft and typical to a cafe. This play is trying to create a very realistic setting and scene in order to establish the image of the trial and error, the happenstance, of love in daily life. >>> Because there is no mention of weather among a long list of topics, its assumed that the weather is mild. There are many attempts at conversation, so the lack of dialogue about how cold or hot it is, suggests that the weather was completely unremarkable. This would only show up in the character's costumes or possibly with a background that included painted windows. The characters do not leave the restaurant for the duration of the play. However, the street should look well-lit outside of the window to create a slightly cozy and romantic atmosphere. >>> The socio-economic status of Bill and Betty is likely middle-class. The success of their conversation relies at one point on Bill not only attending college, but a prestigious one. There is no mention of work or money, but both have clearly had higher levels of education towards the end of the conversation. >>> The occupations of both Betty and Bill are not mentioned. Betty is likely still a student, while Bill has a more secure, 9-to-5 job. >>> Bill and Betty are in their late 20's. >>> Bill and Betty are two adults in their late 20's that meet for the first time in a restaurant. They have no previous relationship with each other, and the connections between their personalities shifts throughout the play. >>> There are only two characters, so they are both emphasized equally. Both Betty and Bill change personalities and convictions multiple times throughout the performance; neither one is singled out in any way. >>> There is only one entrance and exit to the restaurant that Bill uses multiple times and both Betty and Bill use at the end of the play. It would be stage right with the table and chairs at center stage, but because the play and set is so simple, it's precise location is very flexible. >>> The play needs a cafe table with several chairs. The table should have a white cloth or at least a vase with a flower to suggest a nicer and more intimate setting. Silverware and napkins should be placed on the table, and perhaps a second set for the man Betty claims to be waiting for in the beginning. She should have a glass in front of her as well. A book is needed for the actress playing Betty as well as a watch. This suggests that she was currently not with someone when Bill approaches, and the fact that she was reading Faulkner suggests that she is smart and has slightly more sophisticated taste than if she had been reading a romance novel or magazine. No other props are mentioned, and nothing else is specified about the set. The simplicity creates a very generic scene so that any person in the audience can connect to some part of the performance. A bell is needed offstage to signal restarts.
 * 1) What is meant to be the relationship of the performers to the audience?
 * 1) Are the performers and audience meant to occupy the same room?
 * 1) What is the time period of the dramatic action? How does this effect the movement of the play?
 * 1) What is the geographical location of the play?
 * 1) What time of day is it?
 * 1) How are the personalities of the characters reflected by the set, light, costumes and music?
 * 1) What is the weather?
 * 1) What is the socio-economic status of the characters?
 * 1) What are the occupations of the main characters?
 * 1) How old are the characters?
 * 1) What is the relationship of the characters to each other?
 * 1) Which characters are to be emphasized?
 * 1) Where are the entrances and exits?
 * 1) What are the furniture and property needs of the play and how do they reflect the characters and the action?