Setting: an acting studio at the Madame Rastinovina School of Acting in a small New England town. Bare stage. There might be mats or cushions.
Characters are between 16 and 25 years old; except for Kyle, all are students
Kyle: 25, average looking, hair pulled back, wears glasses, very serious, Madame’s assistant. May be either gender.
Bruce: an 18-year-old jock, very confident and self assured
Glenna: 19, short, a bit squat, doesn’t shave her legs, armpits, or pluck her light mustache out of principle, and purposefully wears shorts and sleeveless tops
Matt: a chubby 17 year old, somewhat spotty with light acne
Camilla: an intense 16 year old, light brown hair, slender, pretty in a delicate way
At rise: all are seated on the floor; there may be mats or cushions, or they could be on the bare floor. Kyle is instructing; the students’ eyes are all closed. They are concentrating very hard, Camilla and Glenna a bit more successfully at being focused than Matt or Bruce
KYLE:
Let’s try again. Think back to a time when you were frustrated, and somebody you didn’t expect to prevented you from doing what you wanted. Remember the space. See the space.
(Bruce raises his hand)
Yes, Bruce?
BRUCE:
What if we can’t remember where it took place?
KYLE:
Don’t worry about that. If you can’t remember the space, remember the emotion. How you felt.
(They all concentrate harder.)
Who was stopping you? See that person. What do they look like? Do they know how much they’re frustrating you?
(Glenna starts breathing loudly, taking in short gulps of air, throws her arms up in the air; others react visually to the hairy armpits)
Glenna, are you OK?
GLENNA:
Yes. I’m just reliving what it felt like when Mr. Abernathy—
KYLE:
(Cutting her off): No details! These are private recollections! Just for you.
GLENNA:
Oh. Sorry. I forgot.
BRUCE:
Mr. Abernathy, the English teacher?
GLENNA:
Yes! He…
KYLE:
Glenna! Please! Bruce! Concentrate on your own memory—
BRUCE:
Sorry!
KYLE:
Again. Focus. Recall the weather, the atmosphere in the space, what you were wearing—
MATT:
Oh, shit.
BRUCE:
What?
MATT:
My mother threw that shirt out! It was my favorite shirt!
KYLE:
Please! Silently! These are personal memories, not to be shared.
CAMILLA:
Not even with our class?
KYLE:
No! Private! For your use only! Madame R says they won’t work if anyone else knows what they are!
CAMILLA:
Oh.
KYLE:
That’s the point of sense memory work. It’s private, only you can tap into the power of the memories. If you share the memories, they’ll no longer have the same strength, the same emotional meanings.
CAMILLA:
Of course. Sorry.
KYLE: Now, again, focus. (But the students' concentration is broken. Matt frowns, Bruce looks puzzled, Glenna scratches her armpits. Only Camilla is fully involved. Kyle sighs. ) Perhaps we should shift to a different exercise. This time, recall a feeling of great joy, of elation, when you were the happiest you’d ever been in your life—
(students focus. Smiles slowly spread on the faces of Matt and Camilla; Glenna frowns, concentrating; Bruce looks puzzled)
KYLE:
Bruce, is there a problem?
BRUCE:
I can’t remember being happy. Except when I’m in a game, and we’re winning, and I’ve just scored.
KYLE:
So use that.
BRUCE:
Oh. I thought it had to be something outside of sports.
KYLE:
It can be anything.
(Bruce concentrates. A self-satisfied, almost smug, smile appears on his face. Glenna throws her arms up; others react)
KYLE:
Now, what, Glenna?
GLENNA:
Sorry! Just remembering when….
KYLE:
Private, Glenna! How many times do I have to remind you? Now, everybody, explore those feelings of joy. How do you feel? What does joy do to your body? Do you feel lighter?
(Camilla and Bruce continue to smile. Matt starts to lose his smile. In fact, he starts to frown)
KYLE:
Matt, is there a problem?
MATT:
I don’t feel lighter. I feel heavier.
KYLE:
Then go with that. Whatever you associate with joy.
BRUCE:
(stage whisper to Glenna) I’ll be Matt’s joy is chocolate cake!
MATT:
I heard that, jock breath!
BRUCE:
Did you say something, fatso?
KYLE:
Guys, please! These are supposed to be private memories. And remember, in this class, you’re in a safe space. Nobody makes fun of anybody else, and nothing that’s revealed here leaves the room.
MATT:
(sarcastically). Right. That’s how the whole school knows what I dreamt about Paris Hilton.
GLENNA:
Oh, please. Talk about living in fantasy world.
BRUCE:
Like a nerd should even fantasize about someone classy like her.
GLENNA:
Classy! Are you nuts? Talk about dumb jocks—that’s as stupid as zitsface here. Why’s a dumb jock taking acting in the first place?
MATT:
So glad we’re not stereotyping.
BRUCE:
I’ll need something to fall back on when my professional sports career is over.
GLENNA:
Something reliable and secure like acting! Good thinking!
KYLE:
People! Concentrate! Stop the chatter! Madame R will be really upset if she hears about all this backbiting. And you know what happens to your grades is Madame R gets upset…
(silence. All work hard at concentrating)
That’s better. Is everyone concentrating on feelings of joy?
(quick nods. They concentrate. Suddenly Glenna’s arms shoot up again)
Glenna! What are you doing?
GLENNA:
Reaching for that extra piece of cake at my sixth birthday party, when I was so . . .
KYLE:
Glenna! Private! Private! Private!
GLENNA:
Sorry! I guess I just want to share so much with everyone.
MATT:
Maybe some things shouldn’t be shared.
BRUCE:
Yeah. Maybe some of use don’t want to share your hairy pits.
GLENNA:
What was that?
BRUCE:
You heard me. I don’t want to have to look at your hairy pits every time you get excited about something.
GLENNA:
You macho pig! You show off your hairy armpits every time you play basketball. You ever think some of us might not care to see your hair?
KYLE:
That’s enough! Let’s move on. Think now of something sad, the saddest thing that ever happened to you, something you could use to help when you’re doing Shakespeare or the Greeks.
(they concentrate. Camilla starts sobbing, quietly at first, then slowly becomes more and more upset, until she’s virtually out of control. Glenna tries to comfort her.)
KYLE:
Let’s stop here. Sense memory can be a powerful tool, but we have to learn to control it. Camilla, try to think of something positive. Matt, would you get her a glass of water? We need to stop here anyway--time for your class in T'ai Chi--got to get your physical instruments supple! Oh, and remember, auditions for The Cherry Orchard are tonight at 7, in room 50. Tryouts for Strange Interlude will be tomorrow, same time, same place.
(end)
