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Playwright Discovery Award Teacher's Guide - The John F. Kennedy ...

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PLAYWRITING EXERCISE 4 continued<br />

PART 5 Repeat the Process by Exploring Other Disabilities<br />

Character and Disability<br />

“What If...?” Michael is deaf?<br />

Possibilities & Exciting Solutions<br />

How will he know when the Director is about to return if he can’t hear the conversation in the hallway?<br />

Michael might keep one eye focused on the door handle while searching the room. <strong>The</strong> second the<br />

handle begins to move he might spring into action and return to his seat.<br />

For example:<br />

4Michael’s gaze follows the Director as he exits and pulls the door closed behind him. Keeping<br />

his focus on the door—and its handle to be precise—Michael slowly rises from his seat and walks<br />

backwards to the other side of the Director’s desk. He keeps his hand along the desk so he can<br />

remain focused on the door handle. As he feels for each drawer and opens it, he searches by touch,<br />

watching the door handle as if his life depended on it.<br />

Character and Disability<br />

“What If...?” Michael has a form of autism?<br />

Possibilities & Exciting Solutions<br />

<strong>The</strong> Night Nurse on duty tonight checks in on each resident every 5 minutes. Michael uses his watch<br />

alarm to time his trip.<br />

For example:<br />

4It’s bedtime. <strong>The</strong> orphanage is dark. Michael rises from his bed. He goes to the hall and begins<br />

walking toward the Director’s office. He sees the nurse checking on each room. Freezes. He has<br />

to rescue his teddy bear but the nurse is near his room. He remembers his timer. He returns to the<br />

room and gets his timer/watch. Waits. <strong>The</strong> nurse passes his room. He sets the timer and heads<br />

toward the Director’s office. •<br />

ACT II: PLAYWRITING 33

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