Speech and Debate
Speech and Debate
by Stephen Karam
Southern Repertory Theatre
Directed by Aimee Hayes
Scenic Design by John Raley
Speech and Debate tells the story of three high school students brought together through the internet. Fueled by different, and equally misguided intentions, they band together to form a speech and debate team at their school. The lighting reflects both the harsh neon lights common in schools, representative of the harsh, disgruntled world of high school, and the warmer ambience found at home or at school when the neon lights are turned off.
The play opens with an Instant Message chat between Howie and Solomon. Howie is seen onstage, at home, with his computer. The lighting serves to highlight Howie and bring focus to the projection while keeping the entire stage lit to reveal the space.
Howie, Solomon and Diwata are in their rooms at home. Solomon and Howie watch online as Diwata broadcasts her live, musical blog. I used color in the lighting to differentiate between each characters space.
Diwata records her blog. Howie and Solomon are barely visible as they listen to what she has to say.
Diwata, Solomon and Howie meet after school to put together their wild Crucible performance for the competition. Although they are at school, the light is less harsh after school hours.
Howie is highlighted as he reads his Abraham Lincoln speech.
Howie and Diwata argue about sharing their routine with a local reporter that Diwata invited without permission. The lighting is brighter because the fluorescent lights are turned on since there is an adult in the room.
They decide to perform their wild routine for the reporter. She watches as The Crucible is transformed into a bizarre musical revue.
Diwata is the star of this disco-infused routine.
The stripped down trio concludes their ludicrous performance