Initial Impressions...

What is your initial impression of the play and scene?

I think that this play is quite unique and very different to anything that I have worked on before. I like the fact that there is a constant power struggle between John and Carol and it is interesting how well the Stanislavskian method incorporates the themes and events in Oleanna. I like how this play is very controversial and I have heard stories of audience members breaking into fights over which character they believe is wrong/right. That shows how compelling and truthful Oleanna can be and we hope to achieve this with our performance from Act 3. This is where Carol confronts John is his office and tension clearly builds throughout their conversation.

What questions do you have about the context, situation and characters?

The context of the play; set in an American university has aroused some questions as we have had to research the different statuses of professors, in order to understand the whole concept of a Tenure Council.  I also found an interesting website which explained the motives of the characters quite well, making it easier for our actors to make their acting believable. At this stage we are unsure as to whether we are going to have our actors speak in American accents. This would be true to the play however a faulty accent can be very distracting and melodramatic speaking, does not comply with realistic acting.

“The Student:  Mamet designs her character so that the most of the audience will ultimately loath her by Act Two. The fact that she interprets his touch on the shoulder as sexual assault shows that Carol may have some other issues that she does not reveal. In the final scene, she tells the professor not to call his wife “Baby.” This is Mamet’s way of showing that Carol has truly crossed a line, prompting the enraged professor to cross a line of his own.

The Teacher: John may have good intentions in Act One; however, he doesn’t seem be a very good or wise instructor. He spends most of his time waxing eloquently about himself and very little time actually listening.  He does flaunt his academic power, and he does unintentionally demean Carol by shouting, “Sit down!” and by physically trying to urge her to stay and finish their conversation. He doesn’t realize his own capacity for aggression until it is too late. Still, many audience members believe that he is completely innocent of the charges of sexual harassment and attempted rape. Ultimately, the student possesses an underlying deviousness. The teacher, on the other hand, is overtly pompous and foolish. Together they make a very dangerous combination.”

From http://plays.about.com/od/plays/a/oleanna.htm

What exciting performative choices can you imagine?

We are hoping to use a real incoming call from a cell phone because even if the smallest aspect within the play is unrealistic, it will draw the audience away from the performance. We are going to set the scene in an office by using a desk, chair and other paraphernalia so to create an accurate portrayal of the setting. We are unsure as to whether it will be wise to include the part of Act 3 where John is about to hurt Carol. We don’t want to draw away from the intellectual drama within the story by ruining it with violence, however if we can portray the fight realistically whilst not letting its melodramatic nature, dominate the whole piece, we may incorporate it.