Perspectives [Paperback]

Mary Krell-Oishi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1997

This drama book of twenty-three scenes deals with challenging subject matter in five categories of subjects: 1. Dating, 2. Pregnancy, 3. Control, 4. Family, and 5. Growing Up. Because the characters are beyond stereotypes the student actors are required to reach beyond easy characterization. The scenes offer a wide variety of styles and an equal distribution of roles between men and women. They may be used as audition pieces, festival entries, or as discussion ignitors for interaction between the actors and the audience.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up--A collection that will put some zing on your shelves of aging play books. Krell-Oishi's experience as a teacher and drama coach, as well as her obvious understanding of teenagers are more than evident in the success of this collection. Designed to run between 10 and 15 minutes each, the 23 scenes are arranged into five sections, or perspectives: Dating, Pregnancy, Control, Family, and Growing Up. They are laced with humor, seriousness, and poignancy; they are current, insightful, and real. In "At the Party," two guys and two girls have come to a party at a friend's house, each with the hope of meeting someone special. In a marvelous circular comedy of misinterpreted cues and being in the wrong place at the wrong time, the perfect opportunity is lost. The dialogue is a wonderful mix of optimism and put down and misunderstanding. This scene, as do many others, depends on keen timing of vocal response and physical movement. The scenes are frank, the language is sometimes strong. The thematic arrangement is useful in many ways and all of the scenes lend themselves to provocative post-presentation discussion, either within the cast or involving the viewing audience. A strong contemporary offering with a good balance between male and female parts.

Sylvia V. Meisner, Allen Middle School, Greensboro, NC

Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Mary Krell-Oishi

Product Details

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: Meriwether Publishing Ltd.; 1st. ed edition (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566080304
• ISBN-13: 978-1566080309
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,818,638 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Calling All High School Theatre Students and Teachers, July 20, 2009

By 

J. Parrish "Shakespeare Lover" (Orange County, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Perspectives (Paperback)

This book -- like all the others by this wonderful writer -- has good scenes for beginning high school actors, but also many scenes for more advanced actors. She also has ten minute plays and other materials that work well for festival entries. A talented playwright with a wonderful ear for the way teens talk, Ms. Krell-Oishi's books are essential for all high school actors and their teachers.

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not A realy Good BOOK, October 1, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (Geogia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Perspectives (Paperback)

This book is not very good, because it doenst have alot of things in it. If you are looking for a book to do plays and such, this will not be a good one. This book does not disscuss day to day issues, and i would not recommend it.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Desperate? Need a scene? Get something else..., December 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Perspectives (Paperback)

"Relevant" is the wrong word to describe this book. I would describe it more as "stereotypical" if I were creating the title. The scenes are all about the self-centered, hormone-driven, culture-obsessed teen that exists only in extreme conditions. If you really need a scene and want to show your audience what "today's shallow teen" would be like, use this book. I suggest you find something with more depth and meaning. This might as well be titled "Deranged Perspectives: Stereotypical Scenes for the Stereotypical Teen" by Mary "I should have majored in something else" Krell-Oishi. Sorry, Mary. I wish I kept the receipt.