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By Violet

A character development writing exercise

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I am…  funny, and scary.

I wonder… why people are afraid of me.

I hear… people whispering about me.

I see… their smiling faces... and their scared faces.

I want… to see the people smiling at me– not frowning.

I am…  funny, and scary.

I pretend…  to be a clown when I am really a person like everyone else.

I feel…  sad sometimes like I don't belong.

I touch…  my fuzzy red hair.

I worry…  that no one will like me for who I am.

I cry…  because I am all alone– but I don't want to be.

I am…  funny and scary.

I understand…  I am not normal.

I say…  that doesn't matter.

I dream…  that someday, someone who sees that, will like me.

I try…  to be truly me.

I hope…  that I find what I am looking for.

I am…  funny and scary.

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The playwriting students read select scenes from SCENES FROM A QUARANTINE, a short one-act "vignette play" by Lindsay Price.

One scene is a monologue written from the viewpoint of a student quarantined at home due to COVID-19.  Students were asked to create their own quarantine monologues from the viewpoint of an invented middle school-aged character:

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By ABBY

ANNABELLE:

Quarantine day 1.
I hate this. No friends. No school. No Life. What's the point of living if I can’t do the things I love?  I wish this can all get better all ready. Everyone is saying it is going to get worse before it gets better.  I hate that!  I hate this.  I hate life.

Quarantine day 7.
I could get used to this. Sleeping in.  Hiding from my parents in my bedroom.  After hiding in my bedroom for hours on end I take an afternoon drive and cuddle with my cat and dog.  Life is slow.  Life is good.

Quarantine day 14.
This is boring.  I ran out of things to do.  How much Netflix can a girl watch?  My pets won’t leave me alone!  I’ve finished Grey's Anatomy and that's 15 seasons of my life I will never get back.  Still airing by the way.  I want my friends back.  I want my life back.

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By VIRAAJ

Easy Peasy

DAN:
Pfft, quarantine really?  Is that the best you got?  I expected more.  You think quarantine is a big deal.  You get to stay home all day and play video games.  No school, HECK YEA.  This should be a life.  Stay home all day, watch Youtube, and play Fortnite. This is nothing.  I am going to get to level 100 in FORTNITE.  YEA!  THIS IS GONNA BE AWESOME!  This is gonna be easy.

Day fifteen of quarantine:
I got to level 100.  I have gained 100 pounds and I can’t move my muscles.  My head hurts but this isn’t so bad. It’s easy peasy. I’m fine.  I just gotta keep my head down and focus on this game.  I’ll try my best to stay calm.  It’s getting a little bit hard but I can do it.  Just gotta believe...

Day fifty of quarantine:
OH MY GOD, I CAN’T TAKE THIS ANYMORE. I’VE BEEN IN THIS HOME FOR FIFTY GOD DANG DAYS! THE MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY IS STUPID! I’M DONE WITH QUARANTINE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST STUPIDEST THINGS I’VE EVER DONE.

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By TAYLOR

Quarantine Journal

EMMA:

Day 1

So far quarantine is fun, my parents don’t yell at me or tell me that we have to go on a walk.  I basically just stayed in my room all day on my phone.

Bye!💋

Xoxo Emma

Day 3

Today we went to the grocery store the first one we went to had a line outside the door to get inside so we left, the second was kind of crowded but we still went in.  Today was also my parents first day of work so I was on my phone most of the day.

Bye!💋

Xoxo Emma

Day 5

Today was my first day of online school, it was kind of fun.  Sometimes it gets boring, being on your phone all day and that's it.  I was inside all day.

Bye!💋

Xoxo Emma

Day 7

School is pretty boring. It's just like a bunch of homework so that's annoying.  I went on a walk today because my mom made me.

Bye!💋

Xoxo Emma

Day 9

Online is SO boring, I can't believe I ever thought this was gonna be fun!  I mean, I guess it's good that you can look up answers for homework and tests.

( Pause. In an quieter voice: )

Don’t tell my mom that I said that, but everything else is so bad it's like school minus the friends!  And we all know that the only reason people actually show up to school is friends or maybe strict parents too.  Anyways for some reason my eyes are a little blurry and my thumb hurts.  It's probably just from blue light and typing... maybe I should get those blue light glasses.

Bye!💋

Xoxo Emma

Day 11 (or maybe 137)

Because of lack of social contact I have lost eyesight in my left eye and movement in my right thumb.  Today's events were the “your room has better wifi then mine” massacre of 8:55 AM, the “I should get the living room for my meeting” battle of 10:15 AM, the “my meeting is more important than yours” clash of 12:05 PM, and the “I’m doing work right now, make me lunch” assault of 1:30 PM.

Bye

Xoxo (Please send help.)

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By NOLIA

Quarantine Life

(Brooke is at home quarantined with her older brother, older sister and her parents. She decides to write a journal every day to take her mind off of things.)

BROOKE:
Day 2 of quarantine: This is actually not that bad.  I thought I was going to be super bored, but I’m actually not. I’ve spent the whole day baking this cake.  If it doesn’t turn out good I’m actually going to be so upset.  Later I’m going to take my dog Stevie out for a walk.  He’s been out in the backyard, but hasn’t gone for a real walk.

Day 12:  Okay so now I’m getting a bit bored, but not terrible.  I’m doing a 30-day workout challenge to get abs, it better work. Today was my first day of online school.  It was weird, but it wasn’t bad.  I do like regular school better though. Last night the whole family watched a movie.  That was fun.  Except dad spilled the popcorn everywhere.  It was literally such a big mess. After we watched the movie we went into the hot tub.  It was so nice because it was late at night so it was cool outside, but warm in the jacuzzi.

Day 30:  Oh My God.  I think I'm going insane.  I dyed my hair last night.  The highlights look good.  I gave myself a mani pedi.  I think I did pretty good, considering it was my first time.  I had to give my dog a haircut because it was getting too long.  He wouldn’t stop moving so it took 3 hours.  Oh well... it's not like I had anything better to do.

Day 45:  Okay I got so bored that I redid my entire room. Literally.  I got all new furniture and I painted.  I think it looks so good!  I’m honestly really happy that I did it.  My mom has been making themed dinners.  Last night it was the 80s.  My dad came out in roller blades. It was kinda scary.  Anyways, I hope this ends soon.  I wanna see my friends and be able to go to camp.

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By FRIEDA

A character development writing exercise.

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I am bored but at peace.

I wonder if I could just relax for one more minute.

I hear the trains sprinting towards the platform.

I see nothing, my eyelids are glued to my face.

I want to sleep forever.

I am tired and alone.

I pretend my mother is holding me tight.

I feel a warmth here.

I touch the cold metal that i sit on for relaxation.

I worry about the stress that drowns me outside this train.

I cry about lines that fill my forehead.

I am depressed and hurt.

I understand life isn’t supposed to be calm.

I say it should be.

I dream I never wake.

I try to not get off at my train stop.

I hope my feet don’t pick me up.

I am back in reality.

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By ELIAS

A character development writing exercise.

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I am a high schooler that is talking to my friend through online school.

I wonder if corona is going to end.

I hear my teacher's voice telling me to finish an assignment.

I see my friend through the computer.

I want Covid 19 to end and go back to school.

I am a high schooler that is talking to my friend through online school.

I pretend to have fun but I miss seeing my friends.

I feel excited to start online school but sad because I miss seeing my friends.

I touch the mouse and the keyboard.

I worry that I have too much work.

I don’t cry.

I am a high schooler that is talking to my friend through online school.

I understand I'm living through a pandemic.

I say everything is gonna be fine.

I dream that Covid 19 is fake.

I try to act calm and funny for my friends.

I hope that corona will go away.

I am a high schooler that is talking to my friend through online school.

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By ABBY

A character development writing exercise.

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I am… intelligent and knowledgeable.
I wonder… if I will ever escape from my mind.

I hear… the sounds of the woodpeckers digging their faces into the trees.

I see… the window as it stares back at me.

I want… to leave this house.

I am… intelligent and knowledgeable.

I pretend… that I don’t know anything.

I feel… the tension arising.

I touch… the wooden desk against my cheek.

I worry… that I may never leave.

I cry… for someone to take me away from the place I call home.

I am… intelligent and knowledgeable.

I understand... that I may never leave.

I say… that I need help.

I dream... for me to leave and go to a place far away.

I try… to have hope.

I hope… to leave.

I am… intelligent and knowledgeable.

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By ENZO

Students were asked to select a portrait and create a character study of the person in their chosen painting or photo.  Students were then asked to create a performance monologue in the voice of that character.

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(The scene opens on a woman in a wet wedding dress sitting on a seat in an empty subway car.  She is tired and worn out, shy and generally sad. It’s hard to believe she’s only 18.  Her wigged head is held in her hands. She lifts her head, revealing a face riddled with laugh lines. She has bags under her eyes. She rubs them and pinches the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes and exhaling sharply.)

CHANA:

I’ve always known.  Known I would have to do this, get married to a man I barely knew because my parents wanted me to. That was the reason for everything I did. My parents made me marry him.  No, it wasn’t my parents, it was their parents, and their parents' parents and so on.  I ran from him because of them, the pressure they bestowed upon me. I don’t love him, I’ve never loved him, and I never will. And they made me love him.

(Chana hits the side of her head with the heel of her hand.)

I’m talking to myself again. Rambling, ranting, speaking without meaning about the stupid mistakes I’ve made. I’ve always known I’d have to ruin my life by marrying a random man, but I didn’t dare confront it until it was too late. And now I’m crying about it.

(She scratches her head in a frustrated manner, sighs.)

This isn’t who I am. I’m not a sad girl who never got what I wanted. I got everything I ever wanted. Except for the chance of independence. No, that was never an option, and even now, I can't shake the feeling that I will never truly be free. Elijah’s face and Bubbe’s tears and Mama’s anger will chain me forever to that moment. The moment I said no, I realized I’d never be able to leave that memory behind.

(She furiously pulls the wig off her head and throws it behind her,
revealing a shaved head.)

Stupid wig. Stupid parents. Stupid me!

(Banging the seat next to her with each word.)

Stupid, stupid, stupid…

(Sobbing.)

...stupid, stupid, stupid!

(She calms down and buries her shaved head in her hands.)

(Muffled, and quiet. Through her hands:)

Stupid, stupid…

(She hits the seat next to her with her fist half heartedly and weak.)

(Whisper:)

Stupid.

(SCENE.)

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By HUDSON

Students were asked to select a portrait and create a character study of the person in their chosen painting or photo.  Students were then asked to create a performance monologue in the voice of that character.

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(It’s a small apartment. We see a a messy room: an unmade bed, clothes on the floor, pizza boxes, and bottles of water that are half empty. Chris, our main character, sits on the edge of his bed getting ready for his first interview in a while. He’s clearly nervous but determined. He’s wearing a nice suit and tie.)

CHRIS:

Alright Chris, this your big day, don’t you mess this up.

(He says quietly, yet aggressively.)

I finally have a chance for my voice to be heard.  All I do is smile and listen, wait for my chance but it never comes. I want this job as a photographer so my voice can be silent but strong.

(He puts his face in his hands and sighs.)

Maybe I’m acting too big for my boots.

(He slightly loosens his tie.)

Maybe this whole interview will be a whole waste.

(He runs his hand through his hair.)

Why would this interview be any different? They don’t want me, I’m not special.

(He pauses.  He jolts up and does his tie back.)

What nonsense am I speaking?! I’m gonna do this interview, and I’m gonna make sure I’m the best person I can be.

(There’s positivity and energy in his voice now.)

I need to stop being such a sorry coward, and go for my goals.

(He stands up, his fists clenched.)

I will be heard.

(SCENE.)

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Students were provided with the opening moments of a scene– and the following instructions:

- Finish the scene!

- Provide 3 more escalating tactics.  These are actions Nicole takes in her effort to cut the lemon open, each one a BIGGER action (tactic) than the last.  The first 3 tactics (small knife / knife / cleaver) all fail, and each is a more forceful, "bigger" tactic than the last.

- The next 2 tactics you invent (tactics #4 and #5) must each fail.  Provide reasons why they do.

- The last tactic you invent (#6) can either succeed or fail- your choice.  It must be the largest, biggest, most forceful tactic Nicole comes up with to cut open (or not) the lemon.

- You can add characters, switch locations, etc.
- Use your imagination.  The scene you create can be comic, serious, crazy, epic-- whatever style you like.

THE LEMON SCENE

(The present. Noon.  A kitchen in an apartment in Brooklyn. There are long yellow curtains in the window. A large wooden table is at the center. The kitchen is messy. There is a lemon on the table. Nicole, a teen-age girl. She is smart and full of energy. She is wearing blue jeans and a T-shirt.)

(Nicole walks into the kitchen and looks around. She knocks over a can and opens the top drawer of the cabinet.  She get a small knife from the drawer and tries to cut the lemon.  The knife is too dull.)

NICOLE (Shouts)

What is wrong with this knife?

(She opens up a drawer and pulls out another knife. She tries to cut the
lemon.  It doesn’t work. This knife is also too dull.)

Maybe it's the lemon...

(She thinks for a minute. She goes into the drawer and pulls out a
cleaver.)

This time, I mean business…

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An Epic Conclusion by VIOLET

(The scene continues:)

(Nicole throws the cleaver up so high it gets stuck in her low ceiling, and
when she tries to cut the lemon it doesn't work.)

What the hell!?  How did the lemon not get cut?  Maybe it's because of the low ceiling, I can't lift it high enough. Oh well.

(She puts the cleaver aside, and decides to call her dad.  The phone
rings.)

Hello, dad are you there?

Dad

Hello who is this?

Nicole

Dad it's your daughter Nicole.

Dad

Oh really?   And how can YOU, whoever you are, prove that you are Nicole?

Nicole

Oh dad... I was born on April 11th, 2002 and you have five middle names: Herbert, Alexander, Roger, Perrie, Timothy.

Dad

NICOLE!  It's you.  I knew all along... so why are you calling me?

Nicole

Well I needed to ask you a favor…

Dad

Yes of course anything...

Nicole

Can I PLEASE borrow the bomber in Nevada?

Dad

What !?  You need the bomber AGAIN?  Why do you need it this time?

Nicole

I need to… cut open a lemon.

Dad

Oh. Okay!  I'll fly you over tomorrow!

Nicole

Thanks dad!  See you tomorrow.

(The next day Nicole's dad picks her up in his helicopter and brings her to
his bomber in Nevada.)

Nicole

Thanks dad!

Dad

No problem, I'll see you for dinner!

(Nicole sets up the bomber, places the lemon on the ground, and drops
a bomb on the lemon.  She gets out of the bomber plane to look at
the lemon. She faints at the sight of the lemon...)

Nicole  (Still a little woozy from fainting)
Wha- how, OH MY GOD.

(The lemon is still not cut, not even a scratch.  Nicole's face is confused
and a little wrinkled.)

Okay maybe it missed, but dad's out of bombs... maybe i should just try something else.

(Nicole goes home, thinking about what she's going to do next.  Then she
remembers that she has a friend from NASA that might be able to help
her!  She calls her friend Catinca.)

Catinca

Hi Nicole! How are you?

Nicole

I'm great, but I was wondering if maybe you could help me with something?

Catinca

I'm listening, what did you have in mind?

Nicole

I need you to smuggle me and a lemon onto a space shuttle so I can send the lemon crashing down to earth's surface.

Catinca

I think I might be able to do better than that.  Meet me here tomorrow at 5 am... we launch at 9.

Nicole

Okay see you then!  Bye.

(The next day at around 5 am Nicole meets Catinca at the shuttle.  A
woman named Susan Mackary is getting on the space shuttle today.
Nicole and Catinca go find her.)

Catinca

Hey Susan... are you ready for today?

(Catinca gives Nicole a signal with her hands.)

(Nicole sneaks up behind Susan and puts a bag over her face, and ties up
her hands.)

Susan

Catinca!?  What is happening!  Where are you putting me?  Why are you doing this to m---

Catinca

Shhhh... don't worry.  Everything's fine now... be quiet, okay?  I will be right back.

(Nicole and Catinca step outside.)

Nicole

So... we just locked someone in a closet.  Now what?

Catinca

Now you will take her place.

Nicole

What!?  I can't fly.  I was kicked out of space training!

Catinca

I will guide you, don't worry.

Nicole

Okay I trust you– now I just have to put this suit on...

(It's now about 9 o'clock.  Nicole is in the space shuttle heading up to
space while Catinca is guiding Nicole. Once Nicole is in space, Catinca
says it's clear to launch the lemon.)

Catinca

And… LAUNCH!

(Nicole launches the lemon; it's plummeting down to earth and a ring of
fire surrounds it.)

Nicole

I think that this might actually work! Thank you so m…

(Suddenly Nicole realizes she spoke too soon... and looks to see that an
asteroid has disrupted the lemon from hitting earth.  She stares at the
lemon, just floating around in space.)

Nicole

WHY... NOOOOOOO.  Ugggggh... now what?

Catinca

That was not supposed to happen, it didn't show any asteroids... well we can't relaunch it.  Sorry I guess... you just have to go get the lemon and come back down to earth.

(Nicole tethers herself to the ship and gets the lemon.  She heads back
down to earth.)

Nicole

Thanks for trying to help Catinca... see you soon.

(On the way home Nicole decides to go to her last resort - to call all of her
friends from prison: Debbie Ocean, Daphne Kluger, Tammy, Nine Ball,
Constance, Lou, Amita, and Rose [they call themselves Ocean's 9, but
right now it's Mackintosh’s 9 because that's Nicoles last name.])

Nicole

Hey girls, we need to meet at the abandoned warehouse next to Poilane Bakery in Paris, okay?  We will talk then.

Debbie Ocean

See you there.

Daphne Kluger

I'm in!

Tammy

Okay,  just need to get a sitter for the kids...

Nine Ball

Yup I'll be there.

Constance

Imma skate there, see ya.

Lou

Count me in.

Amita

I'll be there first thing.

Rose

Alright!

Nicole

Great.  See all of you then.

(The next day all of them meet at the warehouse.)

Nicole

All of you are wondering why you are here- this is why:  I've been trying to cut open this lemon and nothing is strong enough so I decided that I need a big diamond because nothing can scratch a diamond and they are some of the sharpest things ever.  I don't have enough money to  buy a diamond, so we are going to steal the Regent Diamond from the Louvre.  Any questions?

Debbie Ocean

Only one: what are we all doing?

Nicole

I'm glad you asked. Nine Ball  hacks into Louvre's cameras, shuts them off for one minute in the Greek wing where the diamond is... Rose costumes– Tammy– get a fake copy of the diamond– Anita, I need you to keep the lemon with you at all times because when we get the diamond you need to cut the lemon.  Debbie and Lou– the two of you are going to distract the guards with questions while Constance pretends to turn on the alarm for the diamond... though she doesn't.   Finally, Daphne and i will be directing Debbie and Lou through the museum.

All of the Girls

Sounds like a plan to us!

(The next day Nicole's plan works out.  Anita has the diamond.  She starts
cutting the lemon.)

Nicole

Finally, it is cutting...

(All of a sudden the diamond shatters into pieces in Anita's hand, and the
lemon starts to shake. It come to life, throws all of the girls a quick
smile, says 'thanks,' and runs away... with the diamond.)

(END SCENE.)