Design+questions+JL

1. What is meant to be the relationship of the performers to the audience? Don and Dawn have no relationship with the audience. The audience is merely viewing the classroom and what happens within it. 2. Are the performers and the audience meant to occupy the same room? No, the audience members merely observe the classroom. There is a definite fourth wall in place. 3. What is the period of the dramatic action? How does that affect the movement? There really is no specific period, so the movement can be however the directer sees fit. I interpreted it as being in the 50's or 60's, judging by the cultural references that younger audiences might not catch onto. 4. What is the geographical location? 30 East Seventh, Room B, The School of Unamunda. The actual city is never mentioned. 5. What time of day is it? It is never mentioned, so that is up to interpretation. 6. How are the personalities of the characters reflected in the set, lights, costumes, and music? It all depends on in what direction the directors, costume designers, and lighting designers take the show. I personally envision an old-fashioned classroom with a green chalkboard and desks. The lighting is soft because the scene ends romantically. 7. What is the weather? Is it hot or cold? Bright or dull? The weather does not much matter in this scene because it is all inside this classroom. 8. What is the socioeconomic status of the characters? Dawn does not have much money, but she is willing to pay $500 to learn "Unamunda", and Don cannot be too well off if he is scheming to take people's money using an elaborate hoax. 9. What are the occupations of the characters? Dawn is a word-processor, and Don apparently schemes to take money from strangers. 10. How old are the characters? Dawn is in her late 20's, and Don is in his 30's. 11. What are the character's relationships with one another? Dawn is seeking Don's help to learn a language other than English so that she can communicate with others without being teased. Don is at first out to take Dawn's money, but as the play progresses, he starts to have feelings for her. 12. Which characters are to be emphasized, to be subordinated? Neither. Both characters are to be equally emphasized. The young man at the end is not really important, however. He is more like a prop than a character. 13. Where are the entrances and exits? At the beginning, Dawn enters. Then Don enters. Neither leaves until the end. A young man enters very near the end. 14. What are the furniture and property needs of the play, and how do they reflect the characters and their actions? Chairs are needed for the "chah-chah-chah" bit. A few props are needed for demonstration purposes (a small book, a large book, a rose, etc). The furniture neither defines nor reflects the characters. The characters stand for themselves, and the set is pretty bare-bones.