Before the Show
OBSERVE: The Set
- Of all the items you see on this set, what one item do you find the most curious? Take a moment to point out that item to someone else, then guess its history!
- Based on what you see of Sam's house, what state of mind do you think he might be in at the beginning of the play?
- What do you anticipate might be the central conflict or challenge in this play based only on knowing that this homeowner's daughter is about to arrive?
REFLECT: What stuff is important?
- Is there emotional significance to the material things in our lives?
- How do our possessions reflect aspects of our identity or past experiences?
- What is an object in your home that might inspire someone to wonder about its history? What would other people think if they encountered the object without knowing its backstory?
DO: Show and Tell!
Take out something you have on you right now that carries some importance or meaning. Show it to the person sitting next to you and have them try to guess why it’s important to you. After they guess explain the actual story behind it. Now it’s their turn!
After the Show
RECALL: Your Experience of I Need That
- How did the set change throughout the production? What feelings did each different look of the set invoke in you? What did the look of the stage tell you about the story?
- Did you realize Foster’s secret before he revealed it to Sam? If so, how did you feel knowing information a character didn’t? Have you ever known something you couldn’t tell someone? How did that feel?
- Think about Sam’s final action – stepping outside. What does this symbolize? Think of a time you may have experienced a similar event in your own life. How did it feel?
REFLECT: The Characters’ Journeys
- How did Sam's journey throughout the play demonstrate his ability to manage stress and adapt to change? How does his final conversation with Amelia reflect his own journey?
- Were you surprised by Sam forgiving Foster? What do their actions throughout the play say about their friendship?
- How did the revelation or confession of each character’s secret allow for the character’s personal growth?
CONNECT: You, I Need That, and Your World
- If you were helping Sam to unclutter his apartment, what objects would you encourage him to throw out and which ones would you encourage him to keep, and why?
- What was one thing in this play that surprised you or made you think in a new way?
- What is something – a material item or a trait/characteristic - you had passed to you from a parent, guardian, adult family member, or sibling? What does it feel like to share that? How did receiving this item or realizing this shared trait affect your relationship with them? What lessons, stories, or advice have you learned from this person?
DO: Time to Clean Up
Choose a space that you feel some ownership over. It can be as small as a purse or drawer or as large as a bedroom. You may also choose to do this as a group in a classroom or shared communal space. Clean and organize the space with the following things in mind. If you’re doing this activity as a class, you will have to answer these questions as a group.
- What is important because I/we use it regularly?
- What is important because I/we have a sentimental attachment to it?
- What is that attachment?
- Can I keep that feeling or memory without keeping the item?
You may decide to keep everything, or you may end up getting rid of some things. Either is okay! Once the organization and clean up are complete, engage with the following discussion questions.
If you completed this as a solo activity, discuss with a friend, sibling, or parent:
- What did it feel like to go through these things?
- Did you part with anything? Was it hard or easy?
- Did anything remind you of the person you’re talking to? Share that memory or feeling with them.
If you’re doing this as a class, consider the following:
- Was someone attached to an item that surprised you? Did their explanation change how you felt about the item?
- How did it feel to talk about these physical items with your classmates? Did it bring up shared memories?
- Is there anything that was both important because you use it regularly and because there is sentiment attached to it?