KarMel Scholarship 2006
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Best Play “School Assembly” By
April Gibbons - TX |
Desciption of Submission: “This play Is my second for Out There Productions,
which I created along with a mentor from YouthFirst!
Why Karen and Melody Liked
It: This was a very interesting
way to show different scenes of gay issues in a play.
Angel 1 [Young man]:
He was just like you.
Angel 2
[Young woman]:
A son, a friend, a student…
Angel 1:
A child.
Angel 2:
A man.
Angel 1:
But I don’t think people will ever
understand why.
Angel 2:
It wasn’t easy to be his guardian angel
and know his fate.
Angel 1:
Some believe we prevent pain. I wish we
could.
Angel 2:
But we do promise something- and with
Matthew it was a chance to wake up this world with a face no one could ignore. In a town masked by God’s green earth and good ole boys. In
a town no one knew about until Matthew arrived.
Angel 1:
That’s very poetic, but you’re forgetting
the point.
Angel 2:
The point?
Angel 1:
That hate exists everywhere. In
Angel 2:
Angel 1:
He didn’t choose to be gay, just as he
didn’t choose to die. But each time he withstood an agonizing blow by true evil
and sin, he chose to send a message of tolerance and strength.
[A
young man, depicting the role of Matthew Sheppard, walks onstage]
Matthew Sheppard (Aggressively):
I will not die today. Not by your hand and
not by your ignorance. I will not die today in this field, on the fence.
Angel 2:
But a few days later he did die- but on
his own time.
Angel 1:
I’m sure we’ll always wonder what Matthew
would’ve said to this obvious hate crime if he had lived, but
Angel 2:
Wow. And you say I’m poetic?
Angel 1:
What, I can’t be sensitive too?
Angel 2:
You’re a guy…
Angel 1:
With the prettiest wings in all of heaven!
Angel 2:
If they only knew the
half of it…
Angel 1:
Is it a sin to be a fashionable angel?
Angel 2:
At least it’s not a sin to be gay.
Angel 1:
I think someone else could explain it
better.
Matthew Sheppard:
Who are we? We are the police. We are the
clergy. We are your sisters, your brothers, and your family. We are your
friends. We are next door and across the street. We are teachers, students,
children, and the elderly. We are in front of you and next to you. We are-
love.
[Matthew’s
Song]
Who am I to know what’s right?
Born an angel in disguise, but I never
learned to fly
As high as the clouds
would rise.
People have come to me, with their heads
in a distant bow
Hoping I would change my life, the way I
am inside.
They’d say, I’m not mean to walk this
earth in sin
I’d be better off alone and giving in, to
the words of our righteous son.
But don’t you understand, I can’t help
this plight
I can’t keep from feeling what you think
isn’t right.
While I understand your high demands, a
wrath for someone you’ve never met
But try a different way for once; see me
not as hate but your son.
With unconditional love and trust, in a
face you’re scared to see
I’m not the sin you want to believe, all I
ever wanted was to just be, me.
Scene 4: The Kiss
[Two
young men, around 16 years old, appear onstage. They are on each side the stage
talking back and forth to the audience.]
Daniel:
What was I thinking?
Michael:
We met on the internet about two months
ago.
Daniel:
You would think after all the chatting and
talking we’ve done, meeting each other wouldn’t be so nerve-racking.
Michael:
But I’m scared to death.
Daniel:
We agreed on a place.
Both:
Starbucks.
Daniel:
Lots of people around…
Michael:
So we can sit down and talk.
Daniel:
And I love coffee.
Michael:
But I hate coffee.
Daniel:
What if I get there first? I know what he
looks like from the pictures we’ve exchanged. Should I order us a drink? Coffee? Soda? What if he doesn’t
like coffee?
Michael:
Water. I’ll definitely just have water.
Daniel:
Can’t go wrong with
water.
Michael:
What do I wear? Something from the
pictures he has of me? No, that’s stupid.
Daniel:
I have to wear that one shirt from a
picture I sent to him. It makes me look thinner.
Both:
And my hair!
Michael:
Should I wear a hat?
Daniel:
Sunglasses?
Michael:
I gotta wear the good cologne.
Daniel:
Oh and the good smelling deodorant, not
that cheap off-brand stuff.
Michael:
I hope he doesn’t judge me by the car I
drive. It’s my first car! Honda does make a great car, but what if it isn’t
cute enough? Wait, what kind of person would be so superficial anyway! Maybe he
drives a cool car.
Daniel:
Okay, I smell good [sniffs armpits], hair looks tight [pats hair], clothes are, well, tight [tugs on shirt].
Michael:
Shoes are clean, got money, license, keys,
watch…
Daniel:
Face is clear, hands are clean…
Both:
[Sprays
breath mint on tongue] Here I go… [Turns
backs to audience].
[They
walk toward each other from opposite ends of the stage and are now
face-to-face.
Each
look at the other then give a quick glance up and down
to check out each others appearance.]
Daniel:
Hi.
Michael:
Hi.
Daniel:
You look nice.
Michael:
Your cologne smells good. What kind is it?
Daniel:
Escape by Calvin Klein.
Both:
[Share
a laugh].
Michael:
You wanna walk around or get something to
drink?
Daniel:
Um, sure.
Michael:
[Nervously] So, which one?
Daniel:
Oh, um how bout we get something to drink.
Both:
Water?
Michael:
Sounds good.
Both:
[Walk
downstage left]
[A
voice is heard from offstage] Two hours later…
Daniel:
So you wanna catch a movie this weekend?
Michael:
Yeah, I’d love to. [Looks and says to audience- Isn’t he adorable!]
Daniel:
I’ll pick something at random, that way
you can’t blame me for bad taste.
Michael:
You don’t have bad taste!
Daniel:
How would you know? [Says to audience while placing hand over face- Why did I just say
that?]
Michael:
I wouldn’t mind finding… [Doesn’t complete the word ‘out’]
Daniel:
[Leans
in for a kiss]
Michael:
You can pick any movie you want.
Both:
[Begin
walking offstage right]
Daniel:
So were you nervous meeting me?
Michael:
Nervous? Nah. You?
Daniel:
Maybe a little.
Michael:
Me too.
[They
walk offstage]
Scene 5: Gossip #2
[From
students in Auditorium]
Tom:
Did you hear Daniel and Michael are really
dating?
Abby:
No way. Besides, Daniel is straight.
Teacher:
Shh!
Sam:
Yeah, the gay kind of
straight.
Rachel:
[Turns
around] Perv’s.
Tom:
She’s one to talk, did you hear she’s
given–
Teacher:
That’s the last time I ask nicely.
Tom:
…to everyone on the
football team?
Abby:
You know Mr. Carson is gay…
Sam:
Look at those shoes, of course he is.
Rachel:
[Turns
around] Shhh!
Abby:
No really, he and his partner have a
little girl. I saw them at the park the other day.
Sam:
You know he was the first one to find
William.
Tom:
Really? I can’t believe he went through with it.
I knew he was depressed a lot but I never took him seriously.
Abby:
They’re having a memorial next week.
Rachel:
They’re what? Like anyone is going to go
to his memorial.
Sam:
Excuse me? And why not?
Rachel:
[Whispers] One less fucking faggot
in this world.
[Tom,
Abby and Sam standup]
Teacher:
Is there a problem?
[Students
sit down and say “No”.]
Scene 6: William’s Monologue
[Dark stage, Spotlight on teenage boy.]
[He’s
kneeling – on both knees. Praying position – but in more desperation]
This is it… I’m giving up… I can’t do this
anymore… I’m tired of living in sin… I’m tired of living a lie… I’m just…
tired. No one understands, no one cares and no one really loves me. Except you,
right God? No, no you don’t, because you made me this way. So thanks, for
making me struggle everyday. For making it impossible to walk down the hall at school. Someone is always teasing me.
Someone is always laughing behind my back. Thank you for making it impossible
to love myself or know if anyone really-loves-me. So why go on?”
[Football
jock walks up and stands behind him, gives William a knife, puts against wrists
while talking]
I’m not strong enough to deal with this. I
just, want to be normal. If you wanted to make an example of me you should have
made me stronger. You should have made me confident. I didn’t choose this. So
what are my choices? I don’t have any. I choose not to suffer. And God, you can
just go on and send me straight to Hell because I’ll be damned if I’m spending
eternity with you… You, who made me this way.
So don’t try to save me now. Don’t send me
a sign or give me the sudden will to live.
I’ve already made up my mind.
I love you mom- even though you hate who I
am.
I love you dad, sorry if I let you down.
And to everyone eyes I know- fuck you.”
[Holds
knife to wrist and jock above him holds it as well as they place
it toward wrists]
Lights
go out.
Speaker
comes onstage.
Speaker: I know many of you knew William.
But I’m sure you didn’t know his story. He was 16 years old. Disturbing
but real. He’s silenced forever. But you aren’t. Tolerance is more than
just a word.
[Speaker
walks offstage, allowing play to continue.]
Scene 7: William’s Song
Do they know the sound of your voice is
breaking me?
Do they know this heart cannot hold
anymore defeat?
I’m only one man, and barely one at that.
You say no single prayer could keep my
soul in tact.
So why even try, why even try?
Why should I stick around when all I do is
hide.
Cuz I’m so tired…
Scene 8: The Sandbox
[We
see two 7 yr. olds, girl (Sarah) and boy (Bobby), playing in a sandbox. The boy
has a
Mom
and a Dad, but the girl has two daddies.]
[Sarah
sitting and playing]
[Bobby
walks up to her]
Bobby:
Hi. Can I play with you?
Sarah:
Yeah. What’s your name?
Bobby:
Bobby.
Sarah:
I’m Sarah.
Bobby:
You’re in my class.
Sarah:
Yeah. I sit in the front. My dad says I
have to so I can see the chalkboard without squinting.
Bobby:
I sit in the back. I don’t like sitting
the in front. Mrs. Johnson spits with she talks.
Sarah:
No she doesn’t! Well, a little I guess.
[They
giggle]
Bobby:
Are you weird like the other kids say you
are? [He pushes Sarah]
Sarah:
[She
pushes Bobby back] I’m
not weird!
Bobby:
They say you’re weird because you don’t
have a mommy.
Sarah:
So! Other kids don’t have mommies.
Bobby:
Yeah, but they don’t have TWO daddies.
Sarah:
What’s wrong with having two daddies?
Bobby:
I think it’s weird.
Sarah:
No its not. My daddies said that the kids
at school might make fun of me, but it’s only because they want to be like me.
Bobby:
Ew, I don’t want to be like you. I’d hate to
have two daddies. Who cooks the dinner and makes you lunches?
Sarah:
They do. They play teacups with me and
sing to me and when we play dress up I get to put makeup on them. Oh, but I
wasn’t supposed to tell you that part.
Bobby:
Wow. They really do all that?
Sarah:
Yeah. What did you think we did?
Bobby:
Do they put you in time out with your bad?
Sarah:
I’m never bad.
Bobby:
[Laughs] Yes you are. Last week Mary told me you
stuck a straw in Mikey’s ear at lunch.
Sarah:
[Laughs] Shh, my daddies didn’t find out about
that yet. I get put in time out, but never for too long because one of them
will come give me a hug and let me go play if I promise to be good.
Bobby:
Lucky.
Sarah:
Why? What does your mommy do when you get
in trouble?
Bobby:
She doesn’t let me watch my Batman videos
and yells at me for a really long time. Sometimes I cover my ears when she
yells at me but that seems to make her angrier.
Sarah:
Really?
Bobby:
Yeah. Hey, I want two daddies!
Sarah:
And no mommy?
Bobby:
Yeah! My dad is the best. He always lets
me do what my mom won’t let me do, like eating ice cream before dinner.
Sarah:
See, I’m not weird. [She pushes Bobby]
Bobby:
I guess your okay. [He pushes he back] Can I come over sometime and play?
Sarah:
Sure!
Bobby:
When I grow up I want to marry another boy
so I can do all those cool things with my kids.
Scene 9: Gossip #3
[From
students in Auditorium]
Rachel:
I can’t believe we have to sit through
this stupid play.
Anthony:
Oh I know. I don’t even know how they are
getting away with putting this on to begin with.
Kathy:
I know why.
Rachel and Kathy:
[Say
together] Mr. Carson.
Anthony:
Ew and you have 6th period with
him?
Amy:
So! It’s not like being gay is a cold you
can catch.
Anthony:
May as well be.
Amy:
What’s that supposed to mean?
Kathy:
Why are you getting so defensive? Oh my
God, you’re a dyke!
Amy:
Shut up.
Anthony:
She’s right. You are always defending
them.
Amy:
So what if I am?
[The
girls look away from her as she stands up and goes on stage]
Amy:
So what if I am?
Scene 10: I Should’ve Known…
I should have known. There I am [points at screen behind her depicting
pictures], eight years old, looking oh-so-girlie in my forest green
Christmas dress with aggravating panty
hose that are riding up my ass and shoes squishing my toes to deformity. But
I’m looking pretty in my curly pigtails and I can’t help but act excited over
the present I’m about to open. As I tore into the gift, throwing wrapping paper
over my head, I could feel everyone’s eyes on me. But you know, now that I
think about it, I don’t remember caring much about that. My family stood ready
with their camera’s to shoot as I pulled the present out of the box.
A full camouflage outfit with a toy
machine gun and grenades! I screamed a silent “Yes!” inside and grinned for the
flashes that were blinding me. Of course, after my moment was over I had to
endure my little sister’s gifts. Everything was either pink or frilly and came
complete with its own small compact carrying case.
I should’ve known…
Well, yeah I dated guys in school. I mean,
why not? Everyone else is doing it. I didn’t think it would hurt anyone. After
all I am a junior and if I don’t date a guy, or at least pretend to be dating
someone I wouldn’t fit in. And we all know it’s about fitting in.
But my eyes always seem to veer left. I’d find
myself staring at the popular cheerleader or the girls on the soccer team. I’d
find reasons to sit by them and blush when they said hello. And
the locker room? Well it’s not like you see on TV. No one ever changes
clothes in front of each other. Besides even if they did, I would be too scared
to look.
I should’ve known…
Well, now I do know and it’s a whole
different ballgame. My “friends” think I’m weird.
My parents have no clue and still think
I’m weird. But I’m just me. Accepted or not, I can’t help who I am. Just like
each of you can’t help who you are. Imagine what our school would be like
without judgment… Just a thought…
[Amy
walks off stage]
[Speaker
comes on stage]
Speaker: I hope you enjoyed our play. But
more importantly, I hope it helped to open your mind. And if it didn’t, we’ll
try again next year.
[Students
Clap]
*This
is my second play for Out There Productions, which I created along with a
mentor from YouthFirst!
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