Questions from

the Play

A Thoroughly Incomplete List of Just a Few Questions to Consider, To None of Which Does Your Dramaturg Have the Answer

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Click to download this as a pdf.

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For each scene

• What time of day is it?

• How much time has transpired since the last scene?

• How much time has transpired since the last time we saw a particular character?

• What have characters been doing in the meantime?

• What are characters doing who do not appear in the present scene?

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ACT ONE

 

Scene 1

• How long have Daniel and Miriam been in Kingdom City? When did they arrive?

• What is Daniel teaching at Lancaster?

• How has Miriam been spending her time?

• What was the last production Miriam directed or worked on?

• If Daniel is renowned for his short story from years ago, how has he remained viable enough to receive this prestigious residency?

• Did Daniel have a dedicated space to write in back in New York?

• Where did Miriam and Daniel live in New York?

• Where did they originally meet?

• How long have they been married?

• Where are they originally from?

• How did Kingdom City High School hear that Miriam is a director?

• When Miriam talks about reminder herself who she is, what plans does she have to do so?

• What was Miriam’s day job in New York?

• What plays did Miriam bring to read? Where did she get them? Are they published playscripts or manuscripts?

• When Miriam refers to locals bashing New York, has she witnessed this, or is she making assumptions?

• What assumptions have Miriam and Daniel had about Kingdom City?

• What interest does Miriam have in teaching generally? In mentoring young artists?

 

Scene 2

• What classes do the teens take?

• What do the teens do for fun in Kingdom City?

• What do Katie and Matt do on a date?

• How did Crystal become interested in acting?

• What do Matt and Katie think they’ll do after graduation?

• Why is Crystal so desperate to leave Kingdom City?

• Why did Katie’s mother leave?

• Katie tells Crystal Matt won’t kiss her anymore; how intimate has the couple been?

• Katie is wearing her mother’s top; how much of her mother’s belongings does she have?

• How does Matt know How much of a theatre nerd (you know what I mean) is he? And Katie?

• Katie cooks dinner for her father? How dependent is he on her? Or how dependent does she think he is on her? What does he do for a living? How many siblings does Katie have, and how old are they?

• Do we know why Katie’s mother left?

• How much does Matt’s pulling away from Katie this have to do with the purity pledge? How much does it have to do with his attack? How does he consider the difference?

 

Scene 3

• What do the characters think about performing in a “cafetorium?”

• How has Crystal learned about theatre? Warming up? The classics like How supportive is Ms. Hummel about Crystal pursuing acting? What kinds of drama classes does Ms. Hummel teach? What were some recent productions she directed, and what roles did Katie, Matt, and Crystal have?

• At least eighteen students are auditioning for Miriam; how many students participate in the drama club? How large is KCHS?

• Why has Miriam chosen to do an improv as an audition?

• What plays does Miriam have on her short list?

• How much does Katie know about Joan of Arc?

• How well does Matt know , and was his interest in it initially because it was a musical or because of the religious subject matter? And just for fun: does he own the cast recording?

• What does Miriam mean when she says her being Jewish is “really more of a cultural thing?"

 

Scene 4

• How often does Daniel go out for a walk? Did he do so in New York?

• What does Luke know about the “teenage degenerates?” What were they doing in the storage shed?

• What was Miriam doing in Flo’s Diner when Luke saw her?

• What was Daniel’s award-winning short story about? What is his writing style? What is the typical content of works?

• Where has Daniel taught? What has he taught? What is his writing style? Why has he applied for this residency now?

• How did Luke come up with the idea of fixing the wall in this manner?

• Where did Luke go to seminary? Why doesn’t he have his own congregation yet? How bound is he to Kingdom City?

• What does Daniel mean when he says his being Jewish is “really more of a cultural thing?”

• How accurate is Luke in assessing whether “something else” brought Daniel to Kingdom City?

• Why does Luke read Psychology Today?

 

Scene 5

• What Is Miriam and Daniel’s homelife like? What do they do in the evenings? Who cooks? Do they cook together? What about weekends?

• Why is Miriam immediately suspicious of Luke, when she tells Daniel “He wanted to ‘win’ you?” Why is Daniel so ready to defend him?

• What does Daniel find compelling about Luke?

• Why is Miriam so appalled by “The True Love Waits Guide?”

• Why is she so irate about the principal’s email? Is she acting as a fierce advocate for freedom of expression, or is there something deeper going on?

• Why does Miriam “want to introduce those kids to a play they never would have heard of it weren’t for me. One that…like you said, change their lives?"

• Why does Miriam seem to do a 180 on so quickly?

• How supportive are Daniel and Miriam of each other’s art?

 

Scene 6

• How did the students learn of their casting?

• How often does Katie hang out at Crystal’s house?

• What classes did Crystal skip (ninth and tenth period)? Where did she go shopping? How did she get to the store?

• Why does Crystal ask Katie, “When did you talk to Miriam?” Why is she so interested in Matt’s reaction to his casting?

• Why does Crystal watch Daniel through the window? How often does she do that? Is this something she’s done before with other men?

• Was Crystal a virgin before the attack?

• How does Crystal know about “following your impulses?"

• Why does Katie mention hugging instead of kissing at the end of the play? Hasn’t she wished she and Matt could kiss as they did before the summer?

• Why does Katie mention Matt being slammed against the locker?

• What videos does Crystal search for?

• What makes Katie so uncomfortable all of a sudden?

• Why is it some important for Crystal that Katie “kiss him the way I tell you to!”?

 

Scene 7

• How genuine is Luke’s affect: his game-show style, his shout-outs, his “true dat?” Is this how he talks and behaves, or how much is he assuming he’s being relatable to the teens?

• When was Luke “saved?” Under what circumstances? He says “stuff like that [juicy parts in ] would have captured my attention;” how was his behavior before he was saved? What things did he to that he “deeply regrets?” Is he referring to himself when he says, “And feel so…ashamed, you yourself?” If so, how did he “sicken” himself?

• What’s in chapters five and six of “The True Love Waits Guide?”

 

Scene 8

• Why does Miriam seek out Luke?

• Why does Miriam correct Luke that Daniel prefers “Daniel?”

• Why does Luke consider it “awesome have Dan…iel on my team?"

• Why does Miriam consider Katie and Matt “extraordinary? Doesn’t she think Crystal is, too?

• Miriam says the teens are more mature than she was at that age; how does she consider her past in relation to the Kingdom City students?

• What does Luke mean when he claims the world wants kids to grow up too fast?

• Where did Luke get his copy of What was his experience like reading it for the first time? How long did it take? Where did he read it? On that note, where does Luke live?

• Has Luke read

• Why does Luke correct Miriam about calling Matthew “Matt?”

• What does Luke think he can achieve by sitting in on rehearsals? Does he really think Miriam would let him?

• Does Luke ever consider such an intervention may represent a lack of trust in Kate and Matt?

• Why does Miriam go on the attack with, “It’s a hell of a lot better than what you teach?"

• What does Luke mean when he says, “The play doesn’t worry me nearly as much as you do?"

• Why does Miriam decide to leave the argument when she does?

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Scene 9

• How did this meeting come about?

• It’s only an hour after Miriam has met with Luke; how has that exchange affected her approach with Katie and Matt?

• Why has she chosen the tactic of having the two read something they like from

• Why is Matt compelled by the “but naked now” line?

• Why is Katie compelled by the “bound to Satan” line?

• What makes Matt overcome his doubts and stay in the play?

• What answer does Miriam expect when she asks the two what to do about Luke?

• Why is Crystal feel put out that she’s not at the meeting?

• What was the process by which the principal decided to cancel the show? Did Luke go to speak with him since his conversation with Miriam?

• What does Crystal mean with “Do you want to end up like your mother?”

• What does Crystal mean with “Girls who are barely conscious?” What does Katie think she means?

• What has Sheri Wilner intercut these scenes (for the first time in the play)?

• “He fired me, Crystal. It’s over.” Does Miriam accept defeat easily?

• Why has Daniel begun to read

• Why does Luke select this particular Bible passage?

• What does Daniel mean when he says, “It almost feels like I could do that here?"

• How did Miriam give the principal “New York attitude,” and what “foul language” did she use?

• What does Daniel mean when he says, “When I think of telling Miriam?" Tell her what?

• How is Daniel here to “help?”

• What does Crystal expect by giving Miriam her number?

• Why isn’t Miriam interested in doing the show elsewhere?

• It seems Crystal could blame many people and circumstances for the play’s cancellation. Why does she single out Matt?

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ACT TWO

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SCENE 1

• Why has Daniel decided to delete the files now? Is he concerned about Miriam’s reaction?

• Why doesn’t Miriam seem concerned with Daniel’s actions?

• Why didn’t Miriam pursue a more constructive conversation with the principal about the play’s cancellation?

• What does Daniel mean when he suggests Miriam is “scary?”

• Why does Daniel bring up “doing something different” at this very point?

• Why does Miriam assume Daniel’s is trying to “fool anyone?” Is he? Is Daniel genuine in his response?

• Neither Miriam nor Daniel seem satisfied with their artistic endeavors; do they ever put that together?

• Why is Miriam quick to assume Daniel has invited Luke over?

• What was Crystal’s phone call to the like? How was her tone in the interview? Hell-bent? Polite? Nervous?

• What does Crystal do to “mature twenty years in a less than a second?” Does Miriam recognize it?

• How legitimately agree was Crystal when she confronted the principal? Or was she just posing?

• How does Crystal know the black box at Lancaster so well? What has she seen there? Is that where she got the idea to become an actor?

• How accurate is Daniel when he claims Miriam is “scared of directing the play?” Does Miriam think he’s right? If so, what is she afraid of?

• Why is Crystal so aggressive about mounting the play (“I don’t give a shit if you’re scared. Fucking get over it.”)? Does she really believe it’s her ticket to Juilliard? Or does it represent something else/additionally?

• Does Crystal actually think Daniel would agree to play Proctor? Why does she want him to?

• Why does she reveal she has watched Daniel through the window? What is it about him that has appealed to her?

• In giving the manuscript to Luke, does Daniel seem to trust him more than Miriam? If so, why? What would be Miriam’s reaction if she witnessed the burning? What do we make of the fact that includes a book-burning scene?

 

SCENE 2

• Why has Daniel decided to build his own wall? Why in this location? What does Miriam think about it?

• We seem to have a hint about Miriam’s reaction to the manuscript burning? How did that conversation go? What does Miriam think about the fact that Daniel has effectively ended his writing, or at least that project?

• How much would Daniel have agreed with Miriam’s stance and rhetoric before they came to Missouri? Note his reaction to “terrifying resurgence” and how his “interpretation of events” seems to differ from hers.

• How long has Daniel held off telling Miriam she sabotages herself? Does Miriam agree with him? Does she have any inkling it may be true? Is Daniel misunderstanding her frustrations? Is he being hypocritical, having just given up on his manuscript?

• Why is it so important to Miriam that Daniel says she’s talented? Does Daniel think she’s talented? Has he enjoyed seeing her productions, and has she enjoyed reading his writing?

• How accurate is Miriam when she accuses Daniel of “trying to drag me down” because he can’t handle having destroyed his manuscript? Does Daniel agree with her? Does he have any inkling it may be true?

• Why is it so important to Daniel that they be “completely honest with ourselves” rather than simply offering support to each other?

• Has Miriam ever told Daniel to sleep elsewhere before?

 

SCENE 3

• Why is Crystal so aggressive with Katie about the article? What does she psychoanalyze her so quickly with “Because you need a mother?” Crystal seems to mention Mrs. Merkle quite often. Why is Crystal so insistent that Katie’s mother doesn’t want to talk to her?

• Crystal seems to admit that Katie is her only friend. Is that true? Who has Crystal hung out with, if anyone? What did she do with her time? Why wouldn’t she have more friends?

• Why does Crystal divulge the attack on Matt? Does she really believe Matt enjoyed the attack?

• Consider the circumstances of the attacks: time of day, number of assailants, what the ball players were doing in the shed before Crystal showed up. How did Matt and Crystal respond in the immediate and not-so-immediate aftermath? What happened the next time they saw each other? Were either of them compelled to be friends with the other, in the wake of what happened? Does Matt blame Crystal? Is Crystal in any way grateful for Matt’s effectively letting her escape?

• Why does “everyone in this fucking town” think Crystal is “a piece of trash?” Is there something she did? Something about her family? Something about where she lives?

• What do we make of Crystal conflating Katie “staying a baby” and no one “giving a shit” about her?

• What was Katie going to say (“I–“) when Crystal cuts her off?

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SCENE 4

• Why has Matt decided to go to see Luke? Does Matt have a lot of friends?

• Does Matt really not know about the article?

• Has Luke used the “carrying the weight” exercise before?

• When Matt used to talk to Luke “about everything,” what did they talk about?

• Is Luke being honest when he tells Matt that he’s “done much worse” than whatever Matt has done?

• Why is Luke so insistent on finding out Matt’s secret? Is it really that important that he would betray Matt’s privacy by asking Katie? Is his fear truly about Matt pulling away from God?

• Is Luke equipped to counsel a victim of sexual assault, especially a boy?

• How have evangelicals churches and youth ministers responded to victims of sexual assault?

• Does Luke have any intention of pursuing Matt’s secret when/after the scene ends?

 

SCENE 5

• Has Miriam doubted her stance against doing the play, after she spoke to the

• What has Crystal been smoking/drinking/taking? Where did she get the drugs and/or alcohol?

• Where was Katie before she came to Miriam’s?

• Why does Katie want Miriam to go to the ceremony with her?

• Where does Katie go after she leaves?

 

SCENE 6

• Who chose the song Katie and Matt sing?

• What was their initial interaction like when they saw each other this morning?

• Who is in the audience? How frequent are these ceremonies? Does Luke always perform them?

• What was Luke going to say at the service before he decided to talk about the article?

• What are Luke’s true feelings about the article? How genuine is his reaction? How much may he be treating this as an opportunity to “audience” for his own congregation? His speech is quite lengthy, given the supposed focus of the day; why?

• What does Luke truly think about Miriam and Daniel’s attendance?

• What does he believe he’ll accomplish by having Katie read her quote?

• Is Luke being hypocritical with his “line we are drawing around our children?” About who gets decide where to draw the line when?

• How is Matt feeling as Luke quotes the Book of John and holds forth on confession? How close has he come before to reporting the attack?

• What makes Katie leave at this particular moment?

• Does Katie believe Matt has sins to confess?

• Where did the baseball team score their drugs and alcohol? Have they attacked anyone before? As a group or individually?

• Does it occur to Luke that Matt may be willing to say more in private? Or does he assume that didn’t work back at the wall? Does it occur to Luke that Matt may be more willing now that Katie has told him she knows?

• Why does Matt tell his story now?

• Does Luke come to regret how he has conducted the ceremony?

• What have Miriam and Daniel been thinking throughout?

• What does Luke assume about what the two would confess?

• Does their passion for each other surprise them?

• Where do Matt and Katie go from here? In their relationship? Do they redraw the line of what they’ll allow themselves to do physically? Do they fear repercussions from their families?

• When has Miriam realized she never takes “a spectacular leap?”

• How seriously did Miriam plan to return to New York? Did she buy a plane ticket? Did she pack? Did she just let Daniel think she was mulling it?

• Where is Crystal in the hospital? (There is a state hospital 10 miles south of the real Kingdom City.)

• What inspired Daniel to write this morning? What did he write?

• Miriam says she didn’t point to Crystal at the auditions “and every other time.” What does this suggest about her understanding of Crystal’s plight, being a teenager, etc.? She asks herself, “Why wouldn’t I help her?” Why didn’t she help her?

• How does Miriam know about the article on predictors of unhappiness?

• What plays does Miriam give to Crystal? Will they work together?

• Where is each character in five years?