Activities

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Create a Character Write Your Poem Be an Expert 

CREATE A CHARACTER

Although the play Home has dozens of characters that help tell the story, it only has THREE actors! Sometimes the actors have a costume piece or a prop to help them change character, but other times, they just have themselves. In this activity you’ll explore:

How does an actor use their physicality to create different characters?

Step One: Set Up

First, create a fashion show runway. This can be anywhere that is long enough to take at least 10 large steps, and safe for everyone to walk back and forth.

Second, find at least three songs that everyone enjoys but are of different genres (think one upbeat pop song, one super-fast trance song, one slightly slow R & B song).

Step Two: Runway Walks

Turn on the music and walk that runway as yourself. Each person should take a turn alone down the runway. Don’t be afraid to be silly. In fact, the sillier the better!

Now, change the song and have everyone walk the runway again, only this time pretending you are your favorite pop star. How would they walk that runway? Do they take bigger steps? Do their hips move more? Maybe they like to skip?

Then, change the song again. Last chance down the runway for everyone. Pretend you are your favorite actor or athlete. How do they walk that runway? What’s different about their body movement? Do they lead with their knees (or other part of their body) instead of their toes when they step?

Step Three: Reflect

Gather in a circle. Discuss the following questions:

1. What parts of my body changed when I walked as a different person?
2. How did the change in music change my physicality?
3. In what way might I adjust my physicality to better tell the audience that I was a different character?

WRITE YOUR POEM

Playwright Samm-Art Williams uses poetic and lyrical dialogue to engage the audience of Home. Through his dialogue, the characters don’t just tell the story, they evoke the mood, place, and sounds. In this activity, you’ll explore:

How can a playwright use poetic language to create a sense of place?

Step One: Read and Reflect

Read the excerpted “poem” from Home.

The subway rolls.
Take it to the city.
Take it to the city.
Hot, wet, and sticky in the fields.
One hundred and one degrees in the shade.
Ain’t fit for a mule, freeman or slave.
Take it to the mighty, mighty.
The mighty city.
The subway rolls.
A train, E train, D train, B train.
The fast life. Hayseed. The fast life.
Moving so fast that your soul will burst.
The subway rolls, and rolls and rolls and rolls.

Step Two: Write!

Write your own poem by completing each line below with at least three more words on each line. Try to use your senses (taste, touch, sight, smell, sound) to add additional nuance to your poem.

Step 3: Share

Turn to someone near you and share. How different or similar are your poems?

BE AN EXPERT

Cephus Miles has recently completed a five-year sentence for draft evasion and is now embarking on a new chapter in "The Big City." While Cephus has a wealth of life experiences, he could benefit from insights and guidance from seasoned city dwellers.

Create your top five tips or recommendations for a newcomer in the city. Consider: navigating city life, finding opportunities, building connections, and overcoming challenges. What are some important things Cephus should watch out for as he settles into this new environment? Your contributions will be vital in equipping Cephus for success and ensuring a smooth transition to city life.