Brighton Beach Memoirs: Day 1; Play Reading tips; Bildungsroman

As a bildungsroman or coming of age play, note the following occurrences in your journal. divide your page into 4 quadrants. Use the 4 quadrants to take note of the 4 stages of the coming of age story.

The 4 Stages

REALIZATION -- changing, emotional and mental preparation, growing, physical changes

REMOVAL -- change of status quo or familiar environment; separation from support units (family, friends, social institutions), experimentation with "forbidden" issues/activities--testing the limits of support units/social institutions, breaking rules/laws or beliefs, etc.

CHALLENGE --- proving oneself; overcome a major problem or resolve a major conflict (killing the boss monster, growing mature, taking on responsibility, etc.)

REINTEGRATION - protagonist comes back into society; character undergoes a rebirth, new status, or new understanding or epiphany of his/her situation.

Nine Characteristics of a Coming of Age experience or story

1. Usually the protagonist is between the ages of 12-18, but can be younger
2. Adults are either "bad guys" or not important--they represent society or laws or rules--the natural order of things; in some stories a parent is missing, absent, or dead. Authority figures are often antagonists to the protagonist. (see below)
3. Usually involves a journey of some sort (this can by a physical, mental, or spiritual journey)
4. Protagonist must confront his/her fears or weaknesses
5. Conflicts with a parent /guardian/authority figure
6. Protagonist learns something important (usually about him/herself)
7. There are usually a series of tests or challenges that the protagonist must face and overcome
8. The ending may be bittersweet--there is often a loss of innocence as a protagonist matures
9. Scarification (there are often scars left--physical or/and emotional), but these "wounds" mark the protagonist as a hero--he/she has come through the "storm" and is "wiser" for the experience. Sorta like this class...

A memoir is a story about a memory. In essence the writer looks back on his/her youth and remembers a specific time period, or personal or historical event. In a MEMORY PLAY--a character does this remembering. He/she often breaks the 4th wall and speaks directly to the audience about what he/she remembers. Plays like this are SUBJECTIVE.

HOMEWORK: None. Start thinking about a specific time in your more distant (not this past year) past that involved a major conflict with your family (or you personally). Write about this time in your journal to get a head start on our next writing activity. More details to follow.

A few acting tips:

• Effective performances have ENERGY!
• Try to think about how you would react and what you would say were you in this situation.
• Empathize with the character you are playing.
• Match your tone of voice to the tone of the words.
• Speak loudly and clearly.
• Have confidence. If you make a mistake--own it. But keep going...

As you read Brighton Beach Memoirs out loud, practice your oral delivery. Those of you who are not reading parts should read along with the play script and take notes in your journal of each assigned element of the play:

Stage Directions 

Costumes/Props

Lighting/Set
Conflict (person v. person)
Conflict (person v. self)
Conflict (person v. society)

HOMEWORK: Film your human interest video footage!