Play Guide [1.2MB PDF] - Arizona Theatre Company

2) Have each student return to his or her original memory and have each of them use
those memories to guide them as they creatively decorate the lid of a shoe-box. Now that
the students are familiar with the concepts of linear and non-linear, ask them to consider
whether their memories lend themselves better to literal or non-literal interpretation.
Students can write a poem, draw a picture, graffi ti the box, write the lyrics to a song, etc.
Their decoration can be as realistic or abstract as they like, but each student’s box lid
should be a personal refl ection of his or her memory. Students should use this activity to
develop their thoughts and ideas just as Tom did when he wrote the poem on the shoe-box
lid in The Glass Menagerie.
3) Optional Presentation of box lids, allowing each student to tell the class what their
memory was and how they represented it.
3) Debriefi ng Questions
- How was creating a visual or poetic interpretation of your memory different from
creating a dramatic interpretation of the same memory? Which was easier for you?
Which did you like doing more?
- Can you think of other art objects, books, plays, or songs that use memory as their
inspiration? Do you fi nd yourself drawn to art like that? Why or why not?
- What did you learn about yourself through this project? How do you think that
artists use their art to work through memories or life events?
Text Analysis and Character Development Lesson Plan
Exploring The Glass Menagerie 2010
The following activities are designed to help students explore the text of The Glass
Menagerie by Tennessee Williams in order to gain a better understanding of the story
and characters, and to relate the story to their own lives. Students will read and analyze
specifi c scenes from the play as they look for cultural references about the 1930s and
search for clues that let the audience know more about the characters in this story. This
process will continue as the students see the play, and the residency will culminate with
each student taking on a contemporary version of one of the four characters, creating a
modern look at a classic text. Students will see how text can transfer to a new setting and
time period but retain its original setting. All of the activities can be modifi ed depending
upon curricular needs.
Materials you will need
Copies of The Glass Menagerie script or scene
Paper and pens
Space to move/ a small performance space
The Glass Menagerie
Arizona Theatre Company Play Guide 33