[7] Examine what “Born Yesterday” reveals about the changing status of women in American society in the 1940’s. How did WWII affect women’s lives in the US? [8] “Born Yesterday” was written and takes place in 1945 (although it was first performed in 1946). Research 1945. Look at national and international politics, but also at fashion, film, sports and other aspects of everyday life. Present to your class in a multimedia display. [9] Select a line from the play that you feel best captures the essence of a particular character. Present your line to the rest of the class and then explain the reason for your selection. After listening to the rest of your classmates’ lines, discuss the individual and group rationale for choices. [10] Design a set for a production of Born Yesterday. Consider the location and the demands of the script. Compare your design to the Syracuse Stage design. [11] What do you think happens to Harry Brock, Billie Dawn, Paul Verral, Eddie Brock, Ed Devery or Senator and Mrs. Hedges after the play ends? Write an essay, short story, additional scene or poem revealing the situation of that person one, five, and/or ten years later. [12] Write a monologue (or journal entry) for any of the characters in Born Yesterday revealing his or her innermost thoughts. Rehearse and perform your monologue, or direct another classmate to perform your monologue. [13] Imagine yourself to be a casting director for a production of Inherit the Wind. "Cast" the characters of Brock, and others using popular TV or movie stars. During class discussion, explain your choices. After viewing Born Yesterday, continue the discussion asking class members if their choices matched the types and ages of actresses and actors cast in the Syracuse Stage production. [14] Choose a character from this play and create a biographical time line of the ten most important occurrences in his or her life. You must choose only ten events that are most focal for that character, understanding that you must prioritize. One event might be very traumatic, such as the death of a loved one; another may be as simple as a child’s surprise party. Each list should include its character’s childhood and finish with the end of the play. Events should be ordered in sequence beginning with the earliest event. You may draw from information in the play, use research, or incorporate events that you might envision happening. This exercise can also be fun, and enlightening, to do for yourself.
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