I never think of myself to have any creative cells to write stories, what more to write a one act play! I did not know where to start. However, the work still has to be done. My partner for this assignment, Nur Adli and I brainstormed for the possible themes we want to write about. We agreed to a play that central around family problems, broken family and the effects on the children.
Ideas started to come, so we wrote on a girl, a bright girl name Betty who is from a happy and loving family. However, the happiness does not last as Betty’s father is retrenched due to the economic downturn. Betty’s mother has to look for job to share the family’s financial burden but Betty’s father fails to find a job. He resorts to gambling and drinking. He intends to make fast money but he make matters worse. He accumulates debts and blames others for his misfortune. He becomes abusive and abuses Betty. As Betty’s father can not even afford a workbook for his son, Betty decides to take up a part time job to earn some extra pocket money to reduce her parents’ burden. Betty’s teacher notices the change of behavior in Betty – from an active and participative student to a student who falls asleep in class. Betty does not want to reveal her family problem. Then comes the day for Betty to receive her first pay for working at a cafe. Betty is overjoyed when her employer decides to reward her RM50 for being hardworking. She wants to give the money to her parents but she is ran over by a car on her way home. Betty passed away and the play ends with Betty's father crying in regret after reading Betty's Diary.
This issue of family problem is chosen because it is undeniable that there are students in school who are facing such problems. Their family might be financial problems, they might be child abuse victims, who knows? I think that this play would appeal to secondary school students better because they have the maturity level to comprehend the hardship felt by Betty. This play is also intended to create an awareness that the people around them might need some caring friends. In this era of technology and advancement, we human beings tend to be more individualistic. We care about ourselves only and neglect others. A listening ear or a sincere smile will brighten others' day. Also, students might take things for granted, not realising how blessed they are. This play is hope to instill a grateful heart in the students.
As for now, it has been an enriching experience to create a one act play and the teacher's notes. Without the teacher's note, I will not realise that my one act play can actually be taught in class. It seems convincing to me that it could be put into practice. It actually gives me a little authority, that I am in control of what my students will learn.
A reminder for myself: Be grateful and thankful for what I have! :)
Well, I think most of us in the course were having the first time writing the one-act-play and encountered quite a difficult period. Themes on family problems are quite interesting and involved in secondary school students’ life too. Hence, they will have a better understanding in the issues raised in the play. As for the play itself, in my opinion the idea of the content is very interesting and suitable for the students’ level. It is actually a real life situation which will happen around the students. The ending of the play is quite tragic but touching. It will give students a shock yet leave students a long-last effect to ponder over the issues in a deeper level. Besides, there are some moral values in the play that let students reflect on themselves too. For me, it is very useful if we have the chance and time to teach plays in the class. Students will definitely learn a lot of things from it. It is kind of knowledge beyond the textbook and classroom.
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Yvonne! Hope that there are more impressive works from you in the future. =)