Drama – Sample activity of integration

Unemployment is a big concern in Uganda. There are more young people than there are jobs. As a result, some people turn to crime, particularly stealing. Imagine that your school decides to stage a play to raise awareness the community that crime does not pay. They choose the short play include in this chapter You and a classmate are chosen for the rol of Ezra and Miria.

1. Act out this shortened extract from the play.

Ezra: (With sudden fury) What have I done wrong? Wasn’t my faul the factory went bankrupt and closed down. I have tried all possible ways to get another job. I want to work – they won’t let me!

Ezra: Miria: (Edging closer to him, speaks in a soft voice) Ezra, we’ve tried very hard, haven’t we?

(Pulls away from her angrily) Tried! Is there a job in this world we’d refuse? Is there any chance we’ve neglected? .

Use dramatic skills, such as:

• voice and vocal elements (pitch and tone)
• body language (follow stage directions)
• facial expression (follow stage directions).

2. Which of the characters is ready to choose crime over honesty? What tension does this part of the plot create between Ezra and Miria?

3. Ezra’s dilemma is the theme of the play. Describe this dilemma. (Refer to the rest of the play on pages 194-196.) Describe how the dramatic skills used in the play convey the theme and Ezra’s character