Raisin in the Sun Study Guide - Park Square Theatre

[Pages:38]ON STAGE AT PARK SQUARE THEATRE November 1--December 22, 2016

Written by LORRAINE HANSBERRY Directed by WARREN C. BOWLES

Study Guide

Cotributors

Park Square Theatre Study Guide Staff

EDITOR Tanya Sponholz* COPY EDITOR Marcia Aubineau*

CONTRIBUTORS Tanya Sponholz*, Theodore Fabel*, Jennifer Parker*, Craig Zimanske* COVER DESIGN AND LAYOUT Megan Losure (Education Sales and Services Manager), Alexandra Hatch (Education Assistant)

*Past or Present Member of the Park Square Theatre Teacher Advisory Board

Contact Us

PARK SQUARE THEATRE

408 Saint Peter Street, Suite 110 Saint Paul, MN 55102

EDUCATION: 651.291.9196 education@



If you have any questions or comments about this guide or Park Square Theatre's Education

Program, please contact

Mary Finnerty, Director of Education

PHONE 651.767.8494 EMAIL finnerty@

Contributors

Park Square Theatre Teacher Advisory Board

Marcia Aubineau University of St. Thomas, retired

Liz Erickson Rosemount High School, retired

Theodore Fabel South High School

Craig Farmer Perpich Center for Arts Education

Amy Hewett-Olatunde LEAP High School, EdD

Cheryl Hornstein Freelance Theatre and Music Educator

Alexandra Howes Twin Cities Academy

Dr. Virginia McFerran Perpich Center for Arts Education

Kristin Nelson Brooklyn Center High School

Mari O'Meara Eden Prairie High School

Jennifer Parker Falcon Ridge Middle School

Maggie Quam Hmong College Prep Academy

Kate Schilling Mound Westonka High School

Jack Schlukebier Central High School, retired

Tanya Sponholz Prescott High School

Jill Tammen Hudson High School, retired

Craig Zimanske Forest Lake Area High School

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Study Guide

Contents

The Play and the Playwright

4. Plot Summary 5. Meet the Characters 6. A Conversation with the Actors 9. Lorraine Hansberry: Playwright, Author, and Activist

Historical Context

11. Historical Context of A Raisin in the Sun 14. What Could You Buy with $10,000? 16. Map Analysis: Segregation and Poverty in the Twin Cities

Activities and Resources

21. Tossing Lines: A Pre-Play Class Activity 23. Text Analysis: Scene to Read Aloud #1 26. Text Analysis: Scene to Read Aloud #2 29. The Origin of the Title 30. Evoking Empathy: Examining Walter Lee's Complexity 32. Afrocentrism and Beneatha 33. White Privilege: A Post-Play Activity 35. Post-Play Discussion Questions

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Plot Summary

A Raisin in the Sun

THE PLAY AND THE PLAYWRIGHT

The Youngers are a poor African American family living in a rundown but well cared for apartment on the segregated South Side of Chicago in the 1950s. The possibility of economic independence is given to the family when Mama (Lena Younger) receives a $10,000 life insurance check upon the death of her husband. Each member of the family dreams of the possibilities the money could provide. Mama dreams of moving her family to a new home in an affluent Chicago neighborhood. Her son, Walter Lee, a chauffeur, dreams of buying a liquor store, providing him the financial resources to take care of his family including his pregnant wife, Ruth, and young son, Travis. His sister, Beneatha, dreams of paying for and finishing medical school.

Tensions and sibling rivalry within the family build as each member contemplates how to use the money to further their own dreams. Walter Lee feels he is entitled to the money as the head of the family. Ruth and Beneatha disagree and feel that the money belongs to Lena, and she alone should decide how to spend it. Mama deeply feels that the family's survival depends on their escape from the apartment and the neighborhood. She decides to make a down payment on a house in Clybourne Park, an all-white Chicago neighborhood. Her decision to make the down payment is done without consulting any of her family members. The family's reactions range from disbelief and disappointment to happiness and delight.

through when one of the "investors" runs away with all the money.

The family is deeply dependent on the money and is devastated to learn of Walter Lee's reckless investment. Seeing no way out from his poor choice, Walter Lee seriously considers taking an offer from Mr. Lindner, a representative from the Clybourne Park neighborhood. Mr. Lindner's offer would pay the Youngers a substantial amount of money not to move into the neighborhood. The option of a payoff is immoral in the family's eyes. Walter Lee is determined to make the deal despite his misgivings, but at the last moment while in the presence of his son, he does not take the bribe. In the end, the family decides to move to Clybourne Park even though the road ahead will be difficult; they hope that they have made the right choice for the family and the generations to follow.

After making the down payment on the house, Mama realizes the significance of Walter Lee's plan to buy a liquor store. Walter Lee dreams of giving his family all that is imaginable even in the face of racism and discrimination. Mama gives Walter Lee the rest of the insurance money with the stipulation that a considerable portion be put away for his sister's medical school education. Walter Lee, being the man of the family, decides to invest all of the remaining money in the liquor store business with two men. The plan falls

By Jennifer Parker, Falcon Ridge Middle School

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THE PLAY AND THE PLAYWRIGHT

Meet the Characters

A Raisin in the Sun

Lena Younger: Known throughout the play as "Mama," Lena, who recently lost her husband, Walter Sr., is the matriarch of the Younger family. Mama's actions show her strength, spirituality, and selflessness.

Travis Younger: As the youngest member of the Younger family living in a three-generation household, Travis is playful and clever, knowing how to play the adults in the family to get what he wants. He's the ten-year-old son of Walter Lee and Ruth.

Walter Lee Younger: As Lena's oldest child, Walter Lee feels the pressure to be the provider for his mother as well as his wife Ruth and son Travis. A man in his mid-thirties, Walter Lee works as a chauffeur for a wealthy white family, but he has aspirations for bigger and better things.

Beneatha Younger: Also known as "Bennie," Beneatha is Lena's second child and Walter Lee's sister. She is in college and is eagerly looking forward to attending medical school. She currently has two suitors: George Murchison and Joseph Asagai.

Ruth Younger: Even though Ruth married into the Younger family, she is the peace-maker, helping to extinguish conflict between her husband, Walter Lee, and sister-in-law, Beneatha. She helps her mother-in-law care for their home.

Joseph Asagai: An immigrant from Nigeria, Joseph Asagai is one of Beneatha's suitors. He opens her eyes to Nigerian customs.

George Murchison: In contrast to the Younger's poverty, George Murchison is a very wealthy college student. He is the other of Beneatha's suitors.

Karl Lindner: As a member of the Clybourne Park Welcoming Committee, Karl Lindner meets with the Younger family to discuss the neighborhood's policies.

Bobo: One of Walter Lee's business partners. Bobo, too, hopes for bigger and better things.

The Younger Family as depicted in the 1961 film, A Raisin in the Sun.

By Tanya Sponholz, River Falls High School & Craig Zimanske, Forest Lake Area High School

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THE PLAY AND THE PLAYWRIGHT

A Conversation with the Actors

A Raisin in the Sun

The following questions were asked of some of the cast of Park Square Theatre's 2016 production of A Raisin in the Sun:

Greta Oglesby (Lena Younger)

When did you become an actor, and what were some of your first roles?

I served as an accountant for the city of Chicago for 15 years and fell into acting in 1992. Some of my first roles were in God's Trombones and Do Lord Remember Me.

As an actor, what inspires you?

I am inspired by the everyday: relationships of all types, happy ones, complicated ones, also by literature, music, dance, poetry, the bus, subway, or a city street.

Greta Oglesby

What is your relationship with the character that you will be playing in A Raisin in the Sun? What do you feel is important, beautiful, frustrating, etc. about her?

I first understudied Phylicia Rashad in the role of Lena on Broadway in 2004. I have loved this play and this role for many years. I love Lena's faith, strength, and dignity. What frustrates me is, as her name suggests, Lena's family "leans" on her and draws from her strength in order to replenish their own.

What advice do you have for young people who want to become theater artists?

Believe in your goals, study, study, study, and make sure you LOVE what you do.

Darius Dotch (Walter Lee Younger)

When did you become an actor, and what were some of your first roles?

I've been doing theater ever since high school and throughout college, but I would say that I first officially felt like an actor after I graduated college with my theater degree and got my very first gig. Some of my first (memorable roles) were in Broke-ology and A Civil War Christmas.

As an actor, what inspires you?

I'm inspired by the challenges with each new role. Acting is a very vulnerable craft. To truly dive into a character and put your feelings out

Darius Dotch

CONTINUED...

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THE PLAY AND THE PLAYWRIGHT for the audience to see can be a daunting task. It all pays off when it's time to take a bow.

What is your relationship with the character that you will be playing in A Raisin in the Sun? What do you feel is important, beautiful, frustrating, etc. about him?

I love Walter's drive and motivation to be successful. He is a dreamer and truly wants the best for his family. What frustrates me about him is that he struggles to actually hear his family's wants and needs. When he finally does, it's almost too late.

What advice do you have for young people who want to become theater artists?

Do it from the heart. Don't do it because you want to be famous or rich. Do it because you love it. Be passionate. Be honest with it. Most importantly, be a "work-aholic." Constantly work on your craft.

Theo Langason (George Murchison or Joseph Asagai)

When did you become an actor, and what were some of your first roles?

I did my first play when I was 12 or 13. It was a play about Brown v. the Board of Education. I don't remember what role I played. Maybe a lawyer? Someone's dad? That's probably a safe bet. I played someone's dad a lot early in my career.

As an actor, what inspires you?

I am inspired by passion in all fields. If I see a person who is passionate about what they are doing, it really gets my juices flowing. I'm a director and musician as well and other arts are a constant source of inspiration. Especially live music.

Theo Langason

What is your relationship with the character that you will be playing in A Raisin in the Sun? What do you feel is important, beautiful, frustrating, etc. about him?

My role is still in flux, Warren Bowles (our Director) is deciding if he wants me to play George Murchison or Joseph Asagai. This is a really fascinating pair to be considered for because they are two sides of the same coin. Both are educated, young black men seeking Beneatha's heart. George is fully assimilated into white American culture and has a deep loathing for his own blackness that he takes out on other black people. He's the kind of black person that white culture finds most palatable: well-spoken, wellmannered, and content with the status quo. Asagai on the other hand is a Nigerian expatriate, so very connected to the roots of his blackness. Asagai is particularly interesting to me because my father is from Cameroon which borders Nigeria. My father was not too different from Asagai when he came here over 30 years ago for school. So we'll see what Warren decides! Either way, I'm very excited to be in this production. What advice do you have for young people who want to become theater artists? The same advice I would give to anyone: failure is your friend. For every success you have, there will be dozens of failures, so the more you fail, the more you will succeed.

CONTINUED...

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THE PLAY AND THE PLAYWRIGHT

Neal Hazard (Bobo)

When did you become an actor, and what were some of your first roles?

I started to really dive into acting in `92 after graduating from the University of Rhode Island. Some of my first roles were in Langston Hughes' Jesse B. Simple, The Zoo Story, Stop Kiss, and Othello.

As an actor, what inspires you?

I'm inspired by watching amazing performances, especially when they're done by friends of mine. I also maintain inspiration by sharing great moments with someone on stage/film, and when those moments are found unintentionally, it's what they call "magic."

What is your relationship with the character that you will be playing in A Raisin in the Sun? What do you feel is important, beautiful, frustrating, etc. about him?

Neal Hazard

In the short amount of time that we get to know Bobo, we know that he's a loyal friend to Walter Lee. He could also stand to use some of Walter Lee's drive for a better life.

What advice do you have for young people who want to become theater artists?

Be prepared! Understand there is business in show business, and have a skill/talent/trade that you can easily fall back on during those "slow" times. Be great!

Robert Gardner (Karl Lindner)

When did you become an actor, and what were some of your first roles?

I became an actor when I was in junior high. My mother forced me to try out for the play (I don't remember the title), and I was cast. Until the moment I stepped on stage before an audience, I was terrified. After that, well, it was fun!

As an actor, what inspires you?

I'm inspired by playwrights who mix moods--funny/sad--and by actors who create and reveal the rich humanity--good and bad--of a character. Many years ago I did a close study of the language of an Irish play, Juno and the Paycock. Lines from the Abbey Theatre recording of that play have been echoing in my head and my heart ever since.

Robert Gardner

CONTINUED...

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