DK+Concept+Universal+Language

Concept Statement for //The Universal Language//, by David Ives 1. The action of the play Dawn, who feels distanced from the rest of humanity because of her stutter, arrives at the ‘school of Unamunda’ to learn “Unamunda, the universal language”. Her instructor is the smooth, charming Don. Don claims to speak only Unamunda, no English, but is revealed to actually speak English perfectly. As Don teaches Dawn Unamunda, the two connect through the language and Dawn becomes a pro. At the end of Dawn’s lesson, she tries to pay Don, but he refuses to take her money, explaining that the entire ‘school’ is a scam. She refuses to believe him, insisting that Unamunda (and Don himself) has made her happy. She tells Don that she is in love with him and convinces him that the two of them can teach Unamunda to the world and spread their happiness to everyone. 2. Thematic Conclusion a. Communication is the key to happiness and successful relationships. If one in unable to communicate with others, they will feel cut off and unfulfilled. b. Forgiveness, both being able to give and receive it, is also an essential part of living a content life. 3. Production Objectives a. To underline the themes of the play. b. To present Dawn and Don both as characters to whom the audience may relate. 4. Design Objectives a. Emphasize Dawn’s hopeful naiveté in her belief that learning a new language will allow her to bridge the gap that exists between herself and the rest of the world. b. Create a sense of a school or classroom environment in the theater. c. Show the evolution of Dawn and Don’s relationship. 5. Design Objectives Related into Visual and Graphic Terms a. Possible use of fluorescent lighting initially, reminiscent of classroom lighting. b. Show development of relationship through lighting, with lights very impersonal and classroom-like when curtain rises. Then, as Dawn grows gradually more comfortable and relaxed, the lights would gradually narrow, until only Don and Dawn were illuminated as they reached the climax of the lesson, creating a small, personal space for them, separated from the rest of the world. The lights would come back up after the lesson ends, but maybe be softer or less intense than they were at the beginning of the play. c. When the other man wanting to learn Unamunda walks on, Dawn and Don’s soft light could grow to encompass him in their world, the universal world of Unamunda.