Wunderkammer

Wunderkammer is a play. Maybe we should start by talking about what kind of genre a play is. I think it's important to remember that plays are for performing, not reading. This makes it doubly a shame that the QCC production of this play was canceled. I generally only assign plays that are being performed on campus or have a video version. Unfortunately, this play is so new that there are no video versions. That means we'll have to imagine what it would be like if we performed it.

A good way to think about a play (or a script for a film) is to think about it as directions for how to put on that play. There will always be some interpretation involved by the director/performers. So let's start: What would your version of the play look like? What actors--if you could choose any from the worlds of film/TV/stage--would you imagine that these characters would be played by? Why do you think Francesca Pazniokas has decided what the genders of the various animals are. Why is the bear either male or female? Why is the Kid "undetermined"? And, if they are undetermined then why does the playwright specify that this character should be played by "a female-identifying or gender-nonconforming actor"? Isn't this "determining"?

What does this setting look like? How would you transition between the stuffed animals and the live animals on stage? What music would you play for this production?

Look at the dialogue say, for instance, on p. 24. Why is it written this way? Most dialogue in plays is more like prose--it runs to the end of the line until it's over. For example:

 

But  Wunderkammer isn't formatted this way. It's broken up more like poetry. Why?

Other questions:

• What is the role of Dog Lady?
• Is this our world? Or is it some other world that looks like ours? Explain.
• Why doesn't Keeper stuff pets usually? 
• What do you think Kid's story is? What has happened to them before the story begins? (Note: "Them" has become the generally accepted term for those who don't identify with one gender.)
• Were you surprised that Keeper was killed at the end of Act I, less than half of the way through the play? Why or why not?

What other questions do you have?

For this week:

• Tomorrow (4/21), I will hold a chat session via Blackboard Collaborate Ultra during our regular class time (12:10-2 pm). This is completely optional. We will discuss the class, I can answer your questions, and we can talk about Wunderkammer. 
• Your next draft is due in Blackboard by 2 pm on Thurs. Reminder: You are required to respond to your group's drafts by the end of the day on Sunday. (Don't forget to read the responses by me and your group members.)
• The Public Writing Project is due next Thurs, 4/30. Your final collection is due the following week, on May 7th. Both of these documents must be uploaded to Blackboard. Do not simply email these docs to me. Note: I will accept all formal writing up until the last day of class, May 14th. But that is the final day, no exceptions. 

Let me know if you have any questions.