The Power of Performance

The Power of Performance
Feb 15, 2002, 1:02pm

Dialect, action and any other creative instrument the actors can imagine, help define the characters.

The triumphs and struggles of a small black family living in the United States can seem remote and unrelated to students in a classroom in Lebanon; but the literary themes portrayed in Lorraine Hansberry’s play, A Raisin in the Sun are understood world-wide. The conflict between generations over traditional family values, racism and the struggle to attain personal goals at the expense of the family or group, exist anywhere.
Hansberry presents her themes in a clear, straightforward manor, but for young students, they may still be obscured by character and plot. Mrs. Dina Dandache teaches her 5C students the lessons of Raisin using the power of performance, their performance of the classic play.
Small groups chose a scene they find interesting or meaningful for presentation to the rest of the class on stage in the Imad Taher Auditorium. They use props, costumes and create some staging techniques to help convey the essence of their characters. Each group’s performance is followed by class discussion and commentary. The exercise works as a tool to bring out the plot and provide insight into characters’ actions explaining the lessons of the play. Students learn from one another through understanding they have achieved by focusing on and acting out a particular character and scene.

Students use costumes and props to help them express their characters.