Driving Miss Daisy Seminar/Discussion; Play Project Draft

This morning, please turn in your Driving Miss Daisy analysis (either in the in-box or in Google Classroom). We will conduct a discussion/analysis of the play:

There are two types of sets a playwright can prepare a script for:

A. a realistic set
B. a suggested set

A realistic set (like the set used in 'Night Mother or The Mountaintop) is a standard, realistic set that looks and feels like the actual setting of the play. It is more detailed and infinitely more expensive. Characters interact with props, costumes, and set pieces. It is not practical to change the setting or location in a realistic set.

A suggested set (like the set used in Driving Miss Daisy or Spic-O-Rama) allows actors to create the setting through actions (like pretending to drive a car--which would be impractical in a theater) or through dialogue. Setting is described, not built. We use our imagination. Ah, the power of words...

 

Driving Miss Daisy by Alfred Uhry. Sample discussion questions:

1. Pay close attention to the role of the dynamic triangle in this play. Explain how Uhry uses it effectively.
2. Examine the characters of Daisy, Hoke, and Boolie. 
• How are each of these character's connected? 
• What is it they want from one another? 
• How is each character an antagonist to another character in the play? 
• Why do you think Uhry built his characters this way? 
• What dramatic tension is inherent in the characters and how does this play out in the course of the play?
3. Plays deal with human issues in our society that are often overlooked, unsolved, or important. What are some human issues that Uhry works within this play? How are these themes and issues introduced, developed, and resolved?
4. What are some absolute truths (about society, human life, ourselves, each other, community, etc.) communicated to us in this play? Are these truths relevant or important in our contemporary lives? Why or why not?
5. Would you pay to see this play performed live? Why or why not?
6. Other*

Period 2 (or after our discussion...)

Continue to work on and write your play. So far we have written a draft (draft 1 that was 2-3 pages;) then draft 2, (we developed each character in your play draft with a monologue and provided backstory, allowing our audience to get to know who each character is a bit;) then draft 3 (which introduces us to the idea of the dramatic triangle, while deepening your character's beliefs (Absolute Truths and Lies and What a Character Believes/Where a Character Lives). A draft of your play will be due Thursday, this week, October 10.

HOMEWORK: Work on the finishing touches for your play draft. Play drafts are due Thursday, Oct. 10.