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Every Brilliant Thing Study Guide

The Narrator is the only character in the play. The Narrator tells the story of creating a list of "every brilliant thing" as a child to help their mother cope with depression. The play explores how the list and the Narrator's relationship with their mother evolves over the years. By having audience members participate in reading the list, the play brings the audience directly into the story and experience.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)

265 views12 pages

Every Brilliant Thing Study Guide

Uploaded by

Kayleigh Oliver

We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.

Available Formats

Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Study Guide 2021- 2022

Every Brilliant
Thing
By Duncan Macmillan
with Jonny Donahoe

Florida Standards

Language Arts Theater

[Link].1: Key Ideas and Details TH.912.F.2: Careers in and related to the arts
LAFS.910.W.1: Text Types and Purposes TH.68.S.1: The arts are inherently experiential.
[Link].1: Key Ideas and Details
[Link].1: Comprehension and Collaboration
[Link].3: Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

PG-13 Mild Language, Frightening Content, Discussion of Suicide

Most appropriate for Grade 8 and up. Children under 5 will not be admitted to the theater.
Every Brilliant Thing
Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Enjoying Live Theater

Theater is a Team Sport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

The Actor/Audience Relationship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

About the Play

Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Meet the Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Meet the Playwrights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Talking to a Friend about Depression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Lesson Plan

Soundtrack of Our Life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Write your own list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Spectrum of Difference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Discussion & Themes .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

2
Every Brilliant Thing
An Introduction
Educators:

Welcome back to what we hope will be a return to a more normal school year! The past year has
been difficult for all who love arts education, and we are eager to meet your needs for the 2021-2022
school year in whatever format works best for your and your students.

We understand that Field Trips may not be possible this school year, due to social distancing and bus
scheduling; however, for those of you able to come see a show, we intend to continue live Signature
Series performances. We are also looking into streaming or recording options, for those of you
unable to leave the school.

We hope to be able to return to your classrooms this year for live workshops, but we will continue to
offer Virtual versions of our popular workshops, Shakespeare Alive and Books Alive, as well. Also, we
have live, interactive performances of Aesop's Fables which can stream into your classroom using
whatever platform works best for you and your school.

Our hope is that Orlando Shakes will continue to meet your needs and become an essential partner
in bringing theatre arts to your students for years to come.

If you have an idea for a program or delivery system that would make our partnership easier, please
let us know. We now know that anything is possible, and that we as arts educators inherently bring
our talent and creativity to every challenge we face.

We look forward to working with you this year and learning how we can serve you and your students.

Thank you for your tremendous work in nurturing our audiences of tomorrow.

Anne Hering
Director of Education

Brandon Yagel
Education Coordinator

3
Every Brilliant Thing
Enjoying Live Theater

Theater is a Team Sport

The Playwright writes the script. Sometimes it is from an original idea and
sometimes it is adapted from a book or story. The Playwright decides what the
characters say, and gives the Designers guidelines on how the play should look.

The Director creates the vision for the production and works closely with the
actors, costume, set and lighting designers to make sure everyone tells the same
Sound Designer -
story. Britt Sanducky
Photo: Rob Jones

The Actors use their bodies and voices to bring the author’s words and the
director’s ideas to life on the stage.

The Designers imagine and create the lights, scenery, props,

costumes and sound that will compliment and complete the
director’s vision.

The Stage Manager assists the director during rehearsals by

Stage Manager -
recording their instructions and making sure the actors and
Stacey Renee designers understand these ideas. The Stage Manager then runs
Norwood
Photo: Rob Jones the show during each performance by calling cues for lights and Costume Designer -
sound, as well as entrances and exits. Denise Warner
Photo: Rob Jones

The Shop and Stage Crew builds the set, props and costumes according to the
designer’s plans. The Stage Crew sets the stage with props and furniture, assists the actors with
costume changes and operates sound, lighting and stage machinery during each performance.

The Front of House Staff welcomes you to the theater, takes your
tickets, helps you find your seat and answers any question you may
have on the day of performance.

The Theater is where it all takes place. Orlando Shakespeare Theater

In Partnership with UCF is the only professional, classical theater
company in Central Florida, reaching students and audiences in the
Creative Team of The Merry Wives of
Windsor surrounding eight counties.
Photo: Rob Jones

Mission:
To enrich our community with engaging professional theater, inspiring educational experiences,
and thought-provoking new plays.

4 TH.912.F.2: Careers in and related to the arts

Every Brilliant Thing
Enjoying Live Theater

The Actor/Audience Relationship

The Audience is the reason Live Theater exists. At
Orlando Shakes, we cherish the Actor/Audience
relationship, the unique give and take that exists
during a performance which makes the audience an
ACTIVE participant in the event. The actors see the
audience just as the audience sees the actors, and
every, laugh, sniffle, chuckle and gasp the audience
makes effects the way the actor plays his next
moment. We want you to be engaged, and to live the
story with us! Photo: Rob Jones

There are certain Conventions of the Theatrical Event, like, when the lights go down you know
that the show is about to start, and that the audience isn’t encouraged to come and go during a
performance. Here are some other tips to help you and your classmates be top notch audience
members:

• Please make sure to turn off your cell phones. And NO TEXTING!
• Please stay in your seat. Use the restroom before you take your seat and stay in your seat
unless there is an emergency.
• Please do not eat or drink in the theater.

Talkback
After the performance, the actors will stay on stage for about 10 minutes to hear your
comments and answer any questions you have about the play, the production and what
it means to be a professional actor. We’d love to hear what you felt about the play, what
things were clear or unclear to you, and hear your opinions about what the play means.
This last portion of the Actor/Audience Relationship is so important to help us better
serve you!

5 TH.68.S.1: The arts are inherently experiential.

Every Brilliant Thing
About the Play
Summary

You’re six years old. Mum’s in hospital. Dad says she’s “done something stupid.” She finds it
hard to be happy. So you start to make a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world.
Everything that’s worth living for. 1. Ice cream. 2. Kung Fu movies. 3. Burning things. 4.
Laughing so hard you shoot milk out your nose. 5. Construction cranes. 6. Me. You leave it on
her pillow. You know she’s read it because she’s corrected your spelling. Soon, the list will take
on a life of its own. A play about depression told by a single performer and the lengths we will
go to for those we love. (from Dramatist Play Service).

Every Brilliant Thing

Meet the Characters

Narrator

The only performer in the play who tells the powerful story of mental illness.

Played by Various Audience Members

Vet, Dad, Sock, Lecturer, Sam, Mrs. Peterson

6 [Link].1: Key Ideas and Details

S E Q
Every
U O
Brilliant
I A
ThingC L U B
Meet the Playwrights
Duncan Macmillan is an English playwright and director. Most of his
work focuses on modern socio-political issues.

Macmillan won two awards in the inaugural year of the Brentwood

Playwriting Competition at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre for
his play, Monster. Monster also received nominations for the TMA and
Manchester Evening News Awards for Best New Play.

Lungs, an exploration of Parenthood, premiered at the Studio Theatre in

Washington DC. The British production, starring Kate O'Flynn and
directed by Richard Wilson, debuted on the West End and won the 2013
Off West End Award for Best New Play. It has since been produced all
over the world.

His next play, People, Places and Things opened at the National
Theatre in co-production with Headlong Theatre Company in 2015. The
play centers around one woman's experience with addiction and
attempts at recovery. The show was nominated for the Olivier Award for
Best New Play and Denise Gough won the Olivier for Best Actress. It transferred to the Wyndham Theatre in the
West End in 2016 and premiered in New York City at St. Ann's Warehouse in 2017.

Every Brilliant Thing, an interactive monologue, was performed for three years at the Edinburgh Festivals and has
toured worldwide. It was filmed by HBO during its run at the Barrow Street Theatre in New York City.

Synopsis courtesy of [Link]

Jonny Donahoe is an actor, comedian, playwright, screenwriter,

broadcaster, musician, orthodox off-spinner, decent slip-catcher and
frustrating lower-order batsman.

His one-man show Every Brilliant Thing, (which he co-wrote and

originally performed), has played more than six hundred times over four
continents, including five months off-Broadway at The Barrow Street
Theatre. The show was filmed by World of Wonder and screened as a
special on HBO. He was nominated for a Drama Desk Award, Lucille
Lortel Award and an Off-Broadway Alliance Award for his performance.

He is the frontman of musical-comedy-satirists, Jonny and The Baptists,

as well regularly performing stand-up in his own right. His play 30
Christmases (starring himself and Rachel Parris), premiered at The Old
Fire Station in Oxford, before transferring to the New Diorama Theatre
in London. He has also created a twelve-part series on parenthood with
real-life partner Josie Long called Josie and Jonny Are Having a Baby
(With You) for American Podcast Network, MidRoll and more recently
has written the acclaimed new play Forgiveness that he will bring to the fringe this year.

Synopsis courtesy of [Link]

7 [Link].1: Key Ideas and Details

S E Q U O I A C L U B
Every Brilliant Thing
Talking to a Friend about Depression

With the transition into adulthood, many teens and young adults begin to seek and rely on help from
friends. When it comes to mental health matters, it is no different. If you think that a friend may be having
thoughts of suicide, don’t be afraid to say something. Talking about suicide does not increase the risk of it
happening. Instead, it helps someone know that you care and are willing to listen.

What to do if a friend comes to you for help

• Don’t panic! Remain calm and remember that you can help.
• Listen carefully. Let your friend know that you care. Be supportive and don’t judge them.
• Take it seriously.
• Seek help. Get a trusted adult to help you.
• Ask if they are thinking about suicide.
• Do not leave your friend alone. If you cannot stay with them, find someone you trust.

What NOT to do if a friend comes to you for help

• Don’t promise to keep it a secret. It is important to get help.
• Don’t be afraid to ask them directly.
• Don’t say “I know how you feel”. Listen openly to what they have to say. Make it about them.
• Don’t suggest that something is “wrong” with them because they feel this way.
• Don’t ignore your friend. It takes courage to ask for help and they chose you.

How to start the conversation

• Ask if you can talk with them alone in private.
• Ask questions to get them to open up.
• "I'm worried about you. How are you doing?”
• “You haven’t been acting like yourself lately. Is everything okay?”
• “You seem really down. Are you okay?”
• Listen to their story and allow them to talk freely.
• Express concern and caring. Ask if they have thought about ending their life.
• “Are you thinking about suicide?”
• “Do you want to kill yourself?”
• Have resources available and encourage them to seek mental health services.
• “Seeking help can take courage, but it’s the smart thing to do.”
• “I know reaching out for help can be scary, but I want to help you.”
NEED TO TALK NOW?
TEXT "IN" TO 741741 OR CALL 800.273.8255
Courtesy of [Link]
8 [Link].1: Key Ideas and Details
S E Q U O I A C L U B
Every Brilliant Thing
Soundtrack of Our Life

Playwright Duncan MacMillan:

Music is integral . . . I like the fact that it's American [music], predominantly black music, which is being
listened to in rainy England by a white man and his son--in this incarnation of the play [the English
premiere]. Two English men who don't necessarily express their emotions with much articulacy. Some of it
is incredibly upbeat and sexy and some of it is heart wrenchingly sad. It was a useful way of building a
sense of the father and son's relationship and how they communicate to each other.

Songs and Artists from the Original Production:

• "Gloomy Sunday" by Billie Holiday
• Cab Calloway
• John Coltrane/Bill Evans
• "Free Jazz" by Ornette Coleman
• "Drown in my Own Tears" by Ray Charles
• "My Melancholy Baby" by Ella Fitzgerald
• "At Last" by Etta James
• "Move on Up" by Curtis Mayfield
• "I'm a Man" by Chicago
• "That's Life"
• "Wake my Up Before you "Go-Go"
• "My Way"
• "Some Things Last a Long Time" by Daniel Johnston
• "Into Each Life some Rain Must Fall" By Ella Fitzgerald and the Ink Spots

If your life had a soundtrack, what songs would there be? Why did you pick these songs?

__________________________________________________________________________________

9 [Link].1: Key Ideas and Details

Every Brilliant Thing
Write your own list.

What makes life brilliant for you?

1) __________________________________________________________________________________

2) __________________________________________________________________________________

3) __________________________________________________________________________________

4) __________________________________________________________________________________

5) __________________________________________________________________________________

Ask a family member or friend. What makes life brilliant for them?

1) __________________________________________________________________________________

2) __________________________________________________________________________________

3) __________________________________________________________________________________

4) __________________________________________________________________________________

5) __________________________________________________________________________________

Were your lists similar or different? Why do you think your lists ended up being that way?

__________________________________________________________________________________

10 LAFS.910.W.1: Text Types and Purposes

S E Q U O Brilliant
Every I A C
Thing L U B

Spectrum of Difference

Answer each question by making a mark on the line between disagree and agree. The closer you are to
either side, the more certain you are. Have friends and family also make marks.