lpsd v3.5

jeudi, mars 04, 2004

A Reason To Hope 4 Mar 2004

Campus Crusade for Christ, NUS

A Reason to Hope

First performed on 4 March 2004 at NUS, LT13

written by LMA

Cast:

Justin

Christian, just rediscovered God, attempts to share Jesus in a non-confrontational manner

Galvin

Old friend of Justin, life’s all about having fun to him.

Yong Fu

Believes in good works, and influencing people to be good people

Eeleen

Unsure of where her life is going, acts like it doesn’t matter, but deep down, it really bugs her.

Simone

Person giving testimony.

Francesca

Galvin’s girlfriend, quite materialistic, is with Galvin because she thinks that he can provide her with the material things in life.

Grace

Galvin’s sister, just wants to get out of Singapore.

Faith

Questioner, skeptic, semi-foil to Eeleen.

Scene 1: Interview Clips Part 1

PROPS/MUSIC

Scene 2: Simone, Simone

(Stage dark. The tinny strains of The Everly Brothers “Dream” in the background, as if playing on radio. Spotlight on Simone, sitting at Stage Left, writing in a diary, amidst throw pillows and stuffed toys. Cosy, comfortable atmosphere. Music fade out to background, but not silent, just very soft. Curtains closed. Simone does NOT need a mike for this scene as her words will be pre-recorded.)

Simone (voiceover as she writes): Dreams. Dreams… when I was in Primary School, I watched this documentary on doctors on Channel 12, and I wanted to be a scientist, and discover the cure for cancer. Then came secondary school, where I discovered that the ultimate dream of fitting in – especially with the boys – was more important than the cure for cancer. (small derisive laugh) Imagine that. Boys more important than cancer.

(looks up from writing, thinks, then starts writing again as voiceover continues.)

You know, during those times, you don’t really think about what’s up ahead. As far as I was concerned, there was always something else to do – another exam, another school, another GCE ‘O’ level, another GCE ‘A’ level, another school holiday to look forward to at the end of the year, another dream to dream…

And now, I’m in NUS. In the Arts Faculty. Far, far away from my original dream of curing cancer. I used to dream so big – now all I dream about is just graduating, and getting this whole education thing over and done with.

(looks up, pensive, build up for the next line, very loaded)

I really wonder sometimes, was I controlling my dreams, (pause for dramatic effect) or was it the other way around?

(Blackout as the song continues and ends. Simone exits stage right. Props to move offstage.)

PROPS/MUSIC

Simone’s voiceover + Everly Brother’s Dream (should be recorded already)

Diary, pen, Beanbag, stuffed toys, floor lamp.

Simone should switch on the lamp. No spotlight. The lamp provides lighting for this scene.

Props should be on stage already at this point.

Props move

STAGE RIGHT.

Scene 3: Sesame Street

(Sesame Street song comes on. Cast run onto stage from various places in the audience. Need proper enunciation of words to ensure clarity. Sing, as per normal.)

Sunny Day - Sweeping the clouds away!

On my way to where the air is sweet!

Can you tell me how to get,

How to get to (say) Arts Canteen? (look/act confused)

(say) How to get to Arts Canteen? (look/act confused)

(Galvin with a map, lost, trying to follow directions, cast follows him around)

Take the lift, everything’s still okay

Walk straight, AS1 then turn left (throws up his hands and map in despair)

All I want to do is eat

Is to eat some yong tau fu!

<<breakdance>>

<<Guys refusing to ask for directions>>

(cast lines up in a queue, looks like they’re having fun in a conga line)

Sunny Day, sweeping the clouds away!

On my way to the Arts Canteen (stance of the cast changes, which changes a conga line into a long queue line, Galvin at head of line, holding up name of stall)

Tell me why must queue so long

Queue so long for yong tau fu!

(cast run in a ring twice, and exit STAGE RIGHT)

Punk Ska Paradise Orchestra cover of Sesame Street.

Lyrics to be projected one line at a time on powerpoint.

Galvin to have map/stall name in hand already. Sunglasses.

Fran to have sunglasses.

Faith to have a fan to fan herself.

Eeleen on the phone.

Justin to have headphones and bopping to the beat.

Yong Fu to just sing and snap fingers.

Grace to act like surfer girl and just rock with it.

Scene 4: At Arts Canteen

There are four tables altogether, with four seats at each table, like how the chairs in the arts canteen are arranged – one table, four chairs. Grace and Faith spread themselves out over the seats and start talking, while the guys are to one side..)

Galvin: (powerfully, mock theatrically, gestures towards the audience as if beholding a wonderful panorama) At last! We are here! Come my friends. The yong tau fu is waiting for us! (gestures to where the “stall” was while they were lining up)

Justin: (shaking head) Brudder, brudder. Go for holiday to England, come back means must so drama.

Yong Fu: (Breathes in the air like it’s fresh from the mountains) Hey, but he’s right man. After all these years… (pauses in mid-thought) well, after all this two and a half years, at least – no more SFI, no more IPPT, no more SOC! Now, there is only…

Galvin: (Cheekily) Tau fu?

Yong Fu: (Deflates) No lah! Now there is only… (hands on Galvin’s shoulder, turns him around to behold…)

Galvin: (pulls away from Yong Fu, mock angry) Oei! My sister is at that table okay! You bio her must ask my permission one you know!

Justin: Aiyoh, you people ah… (walks over to Faith and Grace) Hello! Holidays how? Got go anywhere or not?

Faith: (to Justin) Hey yan tao! Haven’t seen you in so long… Did you miss me?

Justin: Still have that crush on me, I see. I know, (preens hair, like L’oreal shampoo commercial) because I’m worth it!

Faith: (mock appalled) Aiyoh! Is this what army teach you?

Grace: (knowingly) No lah, he born already like that one. Ask my kor lah, last time when they were in Primary school together, wah, both our families headache only…

Galvin and Justin: (indignant, TOGETHER)

Galvin: Aei, I wasn’t so bad okay! It’s always he get me into trouble! (points to Justin)

Justin: Oei, last time I always get into trouble because he is the headache one! (points to Galvin)

Grace: (to Galvin) Ha-na, ha-na you. Ask mummy. She will tell all your stories and adventures to everyone and anyone who is interested.

Galvin: (ironic, finger wagging to Grace) Woman. You will speak when I command you.

Faith: Aiyoh, domestic dispute! I go and buy good first. (gestures toward Galvin and Grace) You two, brother and sister fight finish then call me okay? Make sure you clean up the blood first. What do you all want to eat? (digs for wallet)

Yong Fu: Yong tau fu! Anything also can, just no sea cucumber.

Justin: Me too.

Grace: I go with you, I don’t want to argue with my (sarcastic, makes air quotation marks) “大哥” here.

Galvin: Oei! You better buy food for me ah!

(Grace and Faith exit stage right, leaving Yong Fu, Justin and Galvin at the tables. They lounge around as the girls leave. Galvin starts flipping through 8days, while Justin flips open a ring file and starts flipping also. Both do so aimlessly, as if not really seeing what they’re flipping through. Yong Fu is just staring into space, stoning. They sit in companionable silence for a while.)

Yong Fu: (dreamily, shaking his head, regarding his friends) I can’t believe it.

Justin: (puzzled) Believe what?

Yong Fu: (matter of fact) That we’re in NUS. After so long, this is the final lap we have to run before we go into real life.

(Francesca and Esther enter from stage left)

Galvin: (disbelievingly) Are you kidding me? You mean you still living in a dream world ah? This is real life man! Anyway, what’s the big deal? It’s not like you’re the only one here. 5000 other students in the arts faculty alone, okay! (slight pause) What’s so good about NUS anyway? I wanted to go overseas to study. (grumpy)

Justin: Is it? Then how come you didn’t?

Galvin: (makes hand action signifying money) No money, baby, no money.

Francesca: Galvin has no money? (toward Galvin, jokingly) Sorry dear, I think we have to break up.

Justin: No lah, we’re just talking about how he wanted to go overseas to study, but didn’t go.

Eeleen: (Indicating Galvin) Oh… so that’s why no money lah. How come never be like this guy (pokes Yong Fu) and take scholarship? Which scholarship did you take again ah?

(At this moment, Faith and Grace re-enter from stage right. Grace is carrying a red small plastic bag, while Faith is carrying a red tray with two plates of fries on it. Grace is carrying four bowls of yong tau fu. All cast are on stage.)

Yong Fu: (strikes heroic pose) Teach. Do something worthwhile with your life.

Faith: (arriving at her seat, places a plate of fries in the middle of a table) Nah, bought two plates of fries for us to share. Is the war over?

Francesca: What war?

Galvin: (feigning ignorance, pretending to be very 天真) Yah, what war? Iraq war over already.

Grace: (mock-annoyed) Aiyoh, you ah. Lucky I got lecture now, or else must listen to some more of this nonsense.

Yong Fu: No lunch?

Grace: Ta-bao-ed a sandwhich. (holds it up) Bye guys.

All: Bye!

(Grace exits stage right, leaving Justin, Galvin, Yong Fu, Faith, Francesca and Eeleen on stage. They sit and arrange themselves, and start to pick at their food. Justin says silent grace. Awkward silence as the rest of the characters are unsure of whether or not to start eating their food first or wait for him. Finally, Justin looks up, says a soft “Amen” and picks up his utensils, and carries on the conversation.)

Justin: Eh, what modules you all want to take this sem?

(uncomfortable short silence)

Yong Fu: Eh, since when you start doing that?

Justin: Saying grace? Since December.

Eeleen: For what?

Justin: (as if it’s self-evident) Thanking God for the food?

Francesca: (amused) Thank God for what? It’s not like he cooked the food for you.

Galvin: (to Justin) Yah lor. Unless the yong tau fu uncle is your god… What happened to the officer from OCS who make recruits cry one? (clasps Justin on the shoulder)

Justin: (shrugs) Well, it’s just something I do as a Christian. Not to sound cheesy, but I just think that the vegetables couldn’t have grown without some help from a higher power whom I believe to be God, so I’m saying grace to thank God for giving me this meal.

Faith: I thought you Christian for so long already, how come now then I see you so holy holy one?

Justin: Dunno why also. Just that last year when we came into NUS, I didn’t get ANY of the modules I wanted. So I was quite angry with the NUS CORS system, and also angry a bit with God lah, cos I believe that He’s in charge mah, so since I’m Christian, I thought everything in my life should be steady, so why I kena such crappy modules? I complained to my mother, then she tell me to read my bible and see what God says about my situation.

Yong Fu: Since when you read bible one?

Justin: Got lah… so anyway, I opened my bible, and the first passage I read says that God knows the plans he has for me, and the plan is to give me hope, and to give me a future, and if I pray to Him, He will listen to me. At first I thought the verse quite 巧, it’s too much of a coincidence. But the passage also said that if I sincerely seek God, I will find Him.

Faith: So easy to find him one meh?

Eeleen: Then what happened?

It kinda calmed me down lah, knowing that God has a plan for my life. So I just continued going to church, and started talking to God by praying lor. (uneasy pause as all the cast look at him, some thoughtful, some skeptical)

So, what modules you guys taking this sem? This kind of thing must plan early one, scally cannot graduate then really die.

(uneasy pause. conversation picks up a little uneasily, but the group manages to slip back into the rhythm. Start picking at their food again.)

Francesca: Uh… I’m not too sure. It’s really hard to choose. And it’s so confusing! GEM, CFM, UL, exposure modules…

Eeleen: (cuts in) Yah lor, so many exposure modules, expose here expose there, later my CAP score exposed then really kena exposed!

Yong Fu: Just choose what you want to do lor! So easy.

Faith: Where got so easy? You anyhow tikam tikam one meh?

Eeleen: Somemore the modules which sound interesting also sound very hard, and the boring ones sound even harder. Anyway, nevermind lah, year one only, try here try there then later then decide what I want to do.

Francesca: (to Justin, skeptical) You mean you can plan so far ahead? I haven’t even decided on my major, and you want me to think about the rest of my life? I think it’s only after you try the exposure modules will you have an idea of what you want to do.

Justin: Yeah, but what are you working towards?

Eeleen: I think I prefer to 走一步, 看一步.

Justin: But with all the 一步 here and the 一步 there, where do all these little steps take you? Do you have anything you really die-die want to do?

Eeleen: (shrugs) Dunno. That’s why I came to NUS mah. It’s cheaper than overseas, so I don’t need to spend so much money while trying to figure out what I want with my life.

Galvin: Not for me man! When I was digging trenches in the army, I told myself I definitely want to earn more than the stupid person shouting into my ear. I plan sui sui already. Going to graduate from BizAd and take over my father’s car business. That means lotsa money, losta cars, and lotsa hot (babes…) (mouths the word as Esther cuts in)

Francesca: Hey!

Galvin: (changing direction of word halfway)…hot… hot… hot wheels! I love hot wheels!

Yong Fu: (laughs) So much for your “dreams” huh? Come on, brother. Let me show you the error of your ways. (strikes heroic pose again) Teach. Do something worthwhile with your life. Mould the lives of the next generation.

Eeleen: (sarcarstic) Wow, and this time you actually said it like you actually did mean it.

Yong Fu: (dropping the act) Actually, I really do. I really believe all the corny songs – (sings) I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way, you know? I really think that the greatest thing a person can do is to be a good, upright person, and show kids how to 做人. My dream is not so glam like Galvin’s one, but it’s still quite solid right? (strikes heroic pose yet again) Teach. Do something (everybody starts groaning here) worthwhile with your life…

Faith: Aiyoh, enough of your nonsense lah. (throws tissue paper at Yong Fu)

Please, enough of your rubbish.

Aiyoh!

Tolong lah.

Eeleen: Aei, but seriously, do you guys have a plan or not ah? I mean, just now she say (indicates Faith) that we tikam tikam choose our modules and just relak and enjoy life, but sometimes I’m a bit worried that I don’t really have a plan of what I want to do later.

Faith: Like, after school ends?

Eeleen: Yah. I mean, I don’t feel like this all the time lah, but sometimes you know, I wonder, where is this all going? It’s like this checklist that all Singaporean babies are born with – you know: Primary school – CHECK! Secondary school – CHECK! Poly or JC – CHECK! NUS or NTU – CHECK! Then nah (gestures) take your degree, bye bye, have a nice life. Then we’re standing outside the door going “So what’s next on the list?” Dream husband, dream car, dream four-room HDB flat, 2.4 kids to make the government happy? (pause, for the next line is loaded) What really drives us?

(Cast freeze. Blackout. Cast exit stage left.)

Seven to eight chairs, two long tables, two long canteen benches, projected pictures of the arts canteen at the side of stage.

Table has a couple of magazines, and Grace and Faith’s bags and files over one.

Sandwich, red tray, two plates of fries, four yong tau fu bowls and utensils move from STAGE RIGHT to ONSTAGE

Grace exits STAGE RIGHT.

translation to be projected. White on black.

Translation to be projected.

Cast and all props to move OFFSTAGE to STAGE LEFT.

Scene 5: Interview Clips Part 2

(Crew uses this time to clear the stage for the dancers.)

Scene 6: Dance – Craig David

(dancers exit stage left)

Scene 7: Life Proposals

(Cast comes in from stage left and assumes neutral stance. Simone comes in from stage right and starts writing on her diary again. WITH A HAND-HELD MIKE THIS TIME, as she needs to share her testimony. As if continuing her previous scene. Cast is in neutral position, standing with hands front holding their boards, feet apart, head down to hide their faces. Lighting preferably spots on each individual person. Dido’s “Life For Rent” plays in the background. Spot on Simone. Music fades to background again as voiceover starts.)

Simone: I think maybe it’s time to think of a new ideal for myself, something which I want to do, something I want to start working towards. Sometimes I feel like I’m on a treadmill, running and running, but going nowhere. I always thought I was ambitious, but being ambitious without a dream is like the difference between speed and velocity. Velocity has a definite direction, somewhere it’s heading towards, whereas speed just moves without aim. What direction is my life taking? Or is everything just random chance and coincidence? I wonder how other people deal with this problem. (assumes a pensive, thinking posture, freezes.)

(From neutral stance 1, cast step forward, deliver their lines, and then step back into neutral stance 2. Those who have boards hold up their boards with two hands to show to the audience when they return to neutral stance 2.)

(LIGHTING: From now on, all cast members are to have a spotlight from above. The stage is dark at first. Just before Simone speaks, her spotlight goes on. That is her cue to start talking. Just after she ends, and when Faith is scheduled to speak, Faith’s spotlight goes on. That is Faith’s cue to start talking. Etc. Spotlights do NOT go off when the actor stops speaking.)

Faith: (steps forward) (as if invigilating a test) Please submit your life direction proposal. (steps back)

Francesca: (steps forward) Proposal for life direction: graduate, get married, become tai tai housewife, and have 2.4 kids. Preferably do all of the above with my darling Galvin. (steps back. Holds up word: “TAITAI”.)

Simone: (walks over and inspects her mounting board) Tai-tai. Sounds like a good option, but I don’t think I like playing mahjong all day. It’s not like I’m getting my degree for nothing. I want something more… (freezes)

Galvin: (steps forward) Proposal for life direction: take over family car business, build an empire, and earn lots of money and have lots of fun with lots of babes… (steps back. Holds up word: “$ $ $”.)

Simone: (walks over and inspects his mounting board) Hmm… the 5Cs. That’s just too clichéd for words. Yes, money’s really important, but is it important enough to become the be-all and end-all of my life? (freezes)

Grace : (steps forward) Proposal for life direction: escape from family car business and migrate to Australia. Become surfer girl at Bondi Beach. (steps back. Holds up word: “SURFER GIRL”)

Simone: (walks over and inspects her mounting board) Hmm. I can’t swim. Next! (freezes)

Yong Fu: (steps forward) Proposal for life direction: (sings) I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way, show them all the beauty they possess inside… give them a sense of pride… (says) You don’t need anything or anyone else, you just need to make sure that you all 好好做人 ! (holds up placard that reads好好做人)

Simone: (walks over and inspects mounting board) Hmm. Very noble, but what does好好做人 mean? It’s very lofty, but it sounds like my life now – what direction is this teaching people to 好好做人 going to go towards? (freezes)

Eeleen : (holds up her hand in the air) ‘cher, I cannot pass up today because I dunno how to do, I ask my tuition teacher, she also dunno how to do. (she does not have a board)

Simone: (walks over) This sounds a lot like me. Not sure about how what to do, and where to go. (talks to Eeleen, who does not respond) I’m not sure how to do the assignment too. (freezes)

Justin : (steps forward) Proposal for life direction: I want to study Language semantics and structure, and I hope to go to someplace where no one has gone before, to meet a tribe which nobody has seen before. I want to learn their language, and translate all 66 books of the bible into their language, so that they will know about God’s plan for their life.

It’s quite a huge plan that I have, but I wouldn’t call it a “life direction.” I have some sort of direction that I would like my life to take, but I think ultimately, I want to leave my direction in life to God. I believe that there is a divine plan for my life, and I believe that my 70 years of life on this earth is a gift from God. That means that my life is not really my own; it’s sort of “on rent” from God… and I believe that God’s own son, Jesus has paid the rent for my life.

(Holds up blank mounting board and marker. Pause.)

My life direction is up to Him.

Faith : (steps forward) Time’s up. Please put down your pens, write your name on your answer scripts and tie them together. (pause) You may leave now. (Cast leave STAGE LEFT, but leave their mounting boards behind on stage, where Simone continues to look at them.)

Simone: (looks at the various mounting boards, picks them up, and leaves via STAGE LEFT.)

Props should be on stage already at this point.

Diary, pen, Beanbag, stuffed toys, floor lamp move from STAGE RIGHT to ONSTAGE

Simone should switch on the lamp, but this switches to general lighting as she says her last line.

Cast should enter from STAGE RIGHT, where their mounting boards should be already.

General lighting to be switched on.

Translation to be projected

Scene 9: Dance – Life For Rent (Dido)
Scene 10: Simone’s Testimonial
Scene 11: MC/Closing

Libellés : writing

[A Reason To Hope 4 Mar 2004]
Sngs Alumni @ 4.3.04 { 0 comments }

0 Comments: