Drama/Play Scene Practice

From Sundiata: Lion King of Mali

Sogolon: (sad, weakened) My husband, the king, has died and the council of elders has paid no attention to his wish for Sundiata to ascend to the throne. He has even spoken his first words!!!

Sassouma: (boastful) My son is the ruler now. It would seem that a walking boy is better than a crawling lion. (Sogolon begins to cry)

Sundiata: (To Balla, the advisor, looking for help) Go to the master smith and fetch me an iron rod. (Balla returns with a rod)

Narrator: Sundiata grabs the rod with both hands and pulls himself to his feet with all his might. He's standing on his own!

Crowd: (cheers/applause/encouragement (shake maraca)

Balla: (clearing the crowd) Make way! Make way! The Lion is walking!

Q1: What do the stage directions and Sassouma's dialogue suggest about her?

• Sassouma would do anything to make her son king.

• Sassouma doesn't believe a crawling lion is fit to be king.

• Sassauma is filled with extreme pride that her son may be king.

• Sassauma wants to steal the throne from Sundiata.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.5.10

CCSS.RL.6.7

From Sundiata: Lion King of Mali

Sogolon: (sad, weakened) My husband, the king, has died and the council of elders has paid no attention to his wish for Sundiata to ascend to the throne. He has even spoken his first words!!!

Sassouma: (boastful) My son is the ruler now. It would seem that a walking boy is better than a crawling lion. (Sogolon begins to cry)

Sundiata: (To Balla, the advisor, looking for help) Go to the master smith and fetch me an iron rod. (Balla returns with a rod)

Narrator: Sundiata grabs the rod with both hands and pulls himself to his feet with all his might. He's standing on his own!

Crowd: (cheers/applause/encouragement (shake maraca)

Balla: (clearing the crowd) Make way! Make way! The Lion is walking!

Q2: What do the stage directions at the end of the scene imply?

• The crowd approves of Sundiata as the next king.

• The crowd like to have fun.

• The crowd is confused that the Lion can walk.

• The crowd is anxious to crown the new king.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

From The Dead Rising

Scene 1 Exeter, Rhode Island: Halloween 2019

Stage Director1(SD1): Jacob, Sophia, and Ethan, dressed in costumes, walk up to the door of a small house and ring the bell.

SD2: A grinning jack-o-lantern flickers on the porch.

SD3: A moment later, an elderly woman opens the door.

Jacob, Sophia, & Ethan: TRICK-OR-TREAT

Mrs. Ainsley: Well, aren't you all adorable? (to Jacob)

Jacob: (removing his vampire teeth) Thanks ma'am.

Mrs. Ainsley: (to Sophia) And what are you, young lady? Some kind of disco singer?

Sophia: I'm a 1980's pop star.

Mrs. Ainsley: (to Ethan) And oh, you must be a kitty cat!

Ethan: Well, sort of...I'm Black Panther.

Q3: What does the dialogue in scene one suggest about Mrs. Ainsley?

• She likes cat costumes the best.

• She's unaware of current pop culture.

• She's confused why the kids are knocking on her door.

• She thinks the kid's costumes are childish.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.5.10

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.7.10

From The Dead Rising

Scene 1 Exeter, Rhode Island: Halloween 2019

Stage Director1(SD1): Jacob, Sophia, and Ethan, dressed in costumes, walk up to the door of a small house and ring the bell.

SD2: A grinning jack-o-lantern flickers on the porch.

SD3: A moment later, an elderly woman opens the door.

Jacob, Sophia, & Ethan: TRICK-OR-TREAT

Mrs. Ainsley: Well, aren't you all adorable? (to Jacob)

Jacob: (removing his vampire teeth) Thanks ma'am.

Mrs. Ainsley: (to Sophia) And what are you, young lady? Some kind of disco singer?

Sophia: I'm a 1980's pop star.

Mrs. Ainsley: (to Ethan) And oh, you must be a kitty cat!

Ethan: Well, sort of...I'm Black Panther.

Q4: How are the stage directions important to the play?

• The stage directions help to explain what the characters look like.

• The stage directions show that Mrs. Ainsley doesn't know what the kid's costumes are.

• The stage directions show why it's important to trick-or-treat in groups.

• The stage directions explain how to knock on doors safely when dressed up for Halloween.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.5.2

From This is What Courage Looks Like

Stage Director 1(SD1): The bus starts to fill up.

Eddie: We have to move. That white lady wants our seats.

SD2: Claudette looks up and sees the woman.

Bus Driver: I need those seats!

SD3: Claudette's classmates get up. But Claudette does not move.

Bus Driver: Why are you still sittin' there!

SD1: Claudette sits quietly.

Bus Driver: Give up that seat!

SD2: Claudette stares straight ahead, steadfast.

Bus Driver: Don't make me get the police.

Claudette: I paid my fare.

SD3: At the next stop, the bus driver summons the police. Two officers get on.

Officer 1: (to Claudette) You gonna get up?

Claudette: No, sir.

Officer 2: It's not a choice.

Claudette: I paid my fare.

Officer 1: (shouting) Get up!

Q5: What do Claudette's actions imply about her?

• She is disrespectful to the police officer.

• Her violent response to move seats causes the police to be called.

• She is brave to stand up for what she believes is right.

• She just wants to be left alone.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.2.6

From This is What Courage Looks Like

Stage Director 1(SD1): The bus starts to fill up.

Eddie: We have to move. That white lady wants our seats.

SD2: Claudette looks up and sees the woman.

Bus Driver: I need those seats!

SD3: Claudette's classmates get up. But Claudette does not move.

Bus Driver: Why are you still sittin' there!

SD1: Claudette sits quietly.

Bus Driver: Give up that seat!

SD2: Claudette stares straight ahead, steadfast.

Bus Driver: Don't make me get the police.

Claudette: I paid my fare.

SD3: At the next stop, the bus driver summons the police. Two officers get on.

Officer 1: (to Claudette) You gonna get up?

Claudette: No, sir.

Officer 2: It's not a choice.

Claudette: I paid my fare.

Officer 1: (shouting) Get up!

Q6: What do the lines of stage director 3 suggest about Claudette's classmates?

• They're afraid to defy authority and stand up for what's right.

• They always follow the rules.

• They believe violence is wrong.

• They would rather stand on the bus.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.7

From The Fire-Breather

The Golden Fleece was a symbol of kingship and was believed to bring prosperity. Aeetes gave a dragon the job of guarding it.

Jason: (whispering) He's just a grizzled old man. This shouldn't be too hard.

Heracles: (whispering) His eyes are fierce like a leopard's.

Jason: Good King Aeetes, I bring you greetings from the land of lolkos, in Greece.

Aeetes: (coldly) You are far from home, boy.

Jason: Great sir, I am no boy, I am Jason, the rightful king of lolkos.

Aeetes: (thundering) AND I AM THE SON OF GOD!

Jason: I mean no disrespect. I was sent here by my uncle, King Pelias. He swears to make me king if I bring him the Golden Fleece.

N2: Aeetes tightens his fists.

Jason: The Fleece belonged to my ancestor. It should be kept safe from Greece.

Q7: What do the stage directions in the beginning imply?

• The Golden Fleece needs protecting because of how valuable it is.

• Possessing the Golden Fleece will make you a king.

• Greece is the rightful protector of the Golden Fleece.

• Aeetes must protect the Golden Fleece from Greece.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

From The Fire-Breather

The Golden Fleece was a symbol of kingship and was believed to bring prosperity. Aeetes gave a dragon the job of guarding it.

Jason: (whispering) He's just a grizzled old man. This shouldn't be too hard.

Heracles: (whispering) His eyes are fierce like a leopard's.

Jason: Good King Aeetes, I bring you greetings from the land of lolkos, in Greece.

Aeetes: (coldly) You are far from home, boy.

Jason: Great sir, I am no boy, I am Jason, the rightful king of lolkos.

Aeetes: (thundering) AND I AM THE SON OF GOD!

Jason: I mean no disrespect. I was sent here by my uncle, King Pelias. He swears to make me king if I bring him the Golden Fleece.

N2: Aeetes tightens his fists.

Jason: The Fleece belonged to my ancestor. It should be kept safe from Greece.

Q8: Based on the dialogue in this scene, the reader can conclude ______.

• Heracles will have to fight for the Golden Fleece.

• Aeetes is impressed when Jason tells him he is the rightful king of lolkos.

• Jason believes getting the Golden Fleece will be easy.

• Heracles doesn't care who has the Golden Fleece.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.2.6