TISCH Dramatic Writing Program 1

Summer 2010

Directions:

For your final pieces, you are to select THREE of the following scenarios and produce a short story given the following directions and

provided criteria. Choose one of the provided First Lines for your stories (do not use a first line for more than one story). ALL of the

characters given must be included in your stories. HOWEVER, you may not use a character more than once (additional characters may

be added). The length of each piece MAY NOT exceed 2500 words. Layouts for each piece MUST remain consistent with themes present.

You may not use samples from previous years/programs as guides/templates for your piece(s). Use information from your courses as a

basis for constructing your short story. Be creative with your application of themes and liberal with your use of dramatic tools. ONE of

your final pieces is to be drafted and assessed throughout the duration of the program by a panel of advisors ( for reference, see

assessment guide and final project outline in portfolio).

-Good Luck!

Scenarios

This is a comedy-of-errors with a strong theme of notoriety and the unity of religions. The story is about a guild of tomb-robbers. It starts in a

small town in a magical dimension. The crux of the story involves the preparation for a performance. The Clashing of Cultures plays a major

role in this story.

During the story, there is a letter delivered. The story must involve a throwing star in it. A character is deceptive throughout most of the story.

The story is about a clueless priest who must work with an introverted teacher. It takes place in a forgotten kingdom on an ocean world where

magic is part of everyday life. The future of warfare is a major part of this story.

A college is the location, arrogance is the theme. A telephone is an object that plays a part in the story.

A character becomes intoxicated, but it is done for different reasons than people would expect. During the story, a character gets a demotion.

The story starts on a sinking ship. The story takes place five years in the past. During the story, someone's method of transportation breaks

down.

The story must have a cow at the beginning. The story must involve a dress at the end. A character pretends to be someone else. A character

is enraged throughout most of the story. During the story, a character is involved in a legal dispute.
 TISCH Dramatic Writing Program 2
Summer 2010

First Lines

It wasn’t as if anyone got hurt

The ringing phone filled her with dread

The Lights appeared out of the darkness

I knew what I'd done as soon as the door closed. 

In the end it didn’t matter

It had to be done

Main Characters: Descriptions and Traits

Choose a character description and match him/her with any of the listed traits. (Use each trait only ONCE for each main character)

Description of Character + Traits

This sensitive man has deep-set black eyes that are like two spheres
of night-black marble.. His luxurious, curly, long hair is the color of the
midnight sky, and is worn in a carefully-crafted, severe style. He’s got Cruel and creative.
a thin moustache. He is short and has a wide chest. His skin is black.
He has bushy eyebrows and a pointed chin. His wardrobe is strange. Unfriendly and assertive.

This woman makes you think of a benevolent angel. She has round
violet eyes that are like two windows on the evening sky. Her silky,
straight, short hair is the color of turquoises, and is worn in a bizarre,
handsome style. She has an elegant build. Her skin is ruddy. She has
a high forehead. Her wardrobe is professional.
Envious, but many mistake it for being courageous.
Slightly moody
Close, but many mistake it for being threatened.
 TISCH Dramatic Writing Program 3
Summer 2010

Confused on the surface, but confident underneath.

This misguided man has droopy black eyes that are like two spheres of
night-black marble.. His fine, straight, blue hair is long and is worn in a
precise, simple style. He is tall and has a masculine build. His skin is
pale. He has a high forehead and high cheekbones. His wardrobe is
severe and elegant, with a lot of red and yellow.

This gentleman puts you in mind of a dangerous spider. He has

slanted gray eyes that are like two silver coins. His fine, straight,
lavender hair is worn in a style that reminds you of a mysterious hood.
He has a broad-shouldered build. His skin is light-colored. He has high
cheekbones and prominent ears. His wardrobe is sexy.

This woman makes you think of a playful dolphin. She has wide
sapphire eyes. Her thick, curly, chocolate-colored hair is medium-
length and is worn in a handsome, complex style. She is short and has
a lithe build. Her skin is light-colored. She has an upturned nose and
hollow cheeks. Her wardrobe is businesslike, with a lot of green.

This boorish man has wide gray eyes that are like two silver coins. His
fine, straight, rust-colored hair is worn in a style that reminds you of a
gush of water. He is very tall and has a plump build. His skin is
deeply-tanned. He has a strong chin. His wardrobe is revealing and
weird, with a lot of brown.

Main Characters: Names

MALE FEMALE
Tom Pierce Penny Hobson
Jamal Watson Marylyn Ward
Marlin Churchill
Walter Hunter
TISCH Dramatic Writing Program 4
Summer 2010