5.3: The Scenario

Once we have answered our questions to the best of our ability it is now time to structure our story. Before we begin the process of creating situations and dialogue through improvisation we need to know where we are going. It does no good to have a group of actors standing in a rehearsal room and say “Go ahead. Improvise something.” From my experiences in doing this type of work for the past 20 years actors need a pathway to improvise this type of material. Even while performing short form improv actors always ask for material from an audience in order to get started. When devising a play through improvisation when need a road map. Through my work in Commedia dell’ Arte I have grown comfortable in developing scenarios as a way to keep information and story structure straight during improvised creation sessions.

A scenario is essentially a road map for our ensemble of performers and writers to use while navigating our story. I guess in our case our scenario is a yellow brick road. A scenario is a simple outline of a play. This “outline” is divided into scenes in order from beginning to end. Within each scene when know who is in the scene and what is supposed to happen in the scene. A scenario can as simple or as complex as you want. You can add stage direction and even samples of possible dialogue. This is up to you and your creators. The only required information is that each scene states exactly who is in the scene and what is supposed to happen. Below are the first seven scenes of the scenario develop by our student ensemble. I do not list the rest of the play. You’ll have to come see it. :-)

Scarecrow Scenario

1. Entire Cast

Introduction. Premise material about Munchkins, Munchkinland and the Farmers. This introduction must include the problem the farmers have with not having children.

2. Mazey, Cornelius, crows and other creatures (Forest)

The two farmers make their way through the scary forest to Mombi’s castle.

3. Mazey, Cornelius, Mombi, Tip, Crows (Witch Castle)

The two farmers arrive at Mombi’s castle. Tip greets them and takes them to Mombi. The farmers explain that they need help from the Witch in regards to them not being able to have a child. The witch explains that she possesses a magic powder that can bring inanimate object to life. Mombi demonstrates how her magic powder works by bringing to life a human shaped figure with a pumpkin head. The witch tells the farmers that she will mix the powder into a jar of paint. They would use this paint in the creation of their child. A pact is made between them. Mombi offers them “magic” paint. The witch tells the farmers that the paint can only be used one time and one time only. If she discovers that the paint has been used for other purposes than what they agreed, the farmers would pay a price.

Possible song

4. Mazey, Cornelius, Boy’s Head (Farm)

Mazey and Cornelius begin to build a boy our of whatever material they have on hand—Straw and old clothes. They first make the head. They make the head out of an old burlap bag that is filled with straw. They use the magic paint to first paint the eyes. The eyes open and look around. The farmers are excited to see the eyes moving. They then paint the mouth. The farmers introduce themselves. The Boy’s head is pleased to meet them. The boy’s head comments as the farmers construct the rest of the body. Once the boy is built Mazey and Cornelius teach him how to walk and move about.

Possible Song.

5. Mazey, Cornelius, Boy (Farm)

The Boy is finally built. The farmers teach the boy how to walk and use his body. The boy has many questions. “Who am I?” “Where am I?” “What is a mother and a father?” “What are clothes?” “What is straw?” “What is a witch?” The boys sees a candle burning on a table. He rushes to it. “What is this!” The farmers stop him and warn him of the dangers of fire. They farmers tell the Boy that it is time for bed. “What is a bed?, asks the boy. The farmers try to explain what it means to be tired and that he must sleep. “What is sleep?” asks the boy. They lay the boy down in his bed. The Mother tells the Boy that “Sleeping is a time for dreams.” What are dreams?” asks the Boy. Cornelius explains, “Dreams are like going to another world filled with all of your good memories. “What are memories?” asks the Boy. The Mother explains “Memories are like pictures in your head of things you’ve seen or done in the past.” The Boy closes his eyes really tight and says, “Mother. I do not have any memories.” The Mother replies, “You will. You will have lots of wonderful memories.” Mazey kisses the Boy on the head. The farmers go to bed themselves leaving the Boy alone in his bed.

6. Boy, Crow (Farm)

The Boy is restless in his bed. He sits up. “I cannot sleep.” “I close my eyes but I cannot sleep.” Why Can I not sleep?” “Why can I not see my dreams?” At that moment a crow appears in the window. “Hello.” Says the Boy. The crow caws. What are you? Are you a Boy too?” The Crow caws. “I see. Well it is very nice to meet you.” The crow hops from the window sill over to the Boys bed post. “You do not look like my mother or father.” The crow caws. “You have funny arms and legs.” “See. I have arms and legs now too.” The Boy shows the Crow his arms and legs. “I don’t know how to use them very well but my father says that I will soon become big and strong like him and will soon help him grow the corn. Whatever that is.” “Do you have a mother and a father?” The Crow caws. “Can you tell about your dreams?” asks the Boy. The Crow caws and flaps its wings. “I wish I could understand you. You speak a funny language.” “My mother and father told me that I have to sleep but I can’t. I try and I try but I cannot sleep.” “Do you sleep?” The Crow caws. “I see. Maybe we can both sit here and not sleep together.” The Boy and Crow sit quietly. Lights out.

7. Boy, Wife, Husband (Farm)

The next day The farmers enter and see the Boy sitting up in his bed. The Crow is sitting on the windowsill. The Father shoos the Crow away. “Get out of here!” “Father!” exclaims the Boy. “That was my friend.” “Those birds are no friends of ours! It’s all I can do to keep them out of the corn fields.” says the Father. The Mother enters. “Time for breakfast!” “What is breakfast?” asks the Boy. The Mother says “Why it is the first meal of the day.” “What is a meal?” asks the Boy. “The Mother responds “You see when your belly gets hungry you must put food in it.” She makes a circular motion in front of her stomach with her hands. “My belly?” asks the Boy. The boy then puts his hand inside his shirt where his belly would be and pulls out a handful of straw. “Is this a belly?” asks the Boy. “No. I guess not.” says the Mother. The Fathers says “It’s time to go to work. We’ll talk about food later.” “Work! That sounds like fun!” The Boy jumps out of bed but immediately falls. The Father helps him up. They exit the house hand in hand.