Ushpizin+workshops

For our Sukkot celebration, playwrights Barry Kornhauser and Sandy Asher trained ushpizin (Biblical characters) in a technique called “HOT SEATING.” The technique derives from Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed. Basically, actors stay in character after performing a scene to answer audience questions about that character's background, behavior, and/or motivations. Characters can be hot-seated individually, in pairs, or even small groups. Once more than one character is involved, those characters can continue an improvised interaction in response to questions. We hot-seated our ushpizin in pairs and stationed them at several stops along our sukkah-hopping routes.

At the heart of every play is conflict. Conflicts within individuals, between people, between people and events or forces of nature, and even between people and God can be found throughout the Bible. We have selected a handful of Bible stories and two characters in each who are in conflict. You and your partner will choose one of these pairs, and be asked to briefly “improvise” a short scene (under five minutes) expressing the two characters’ conflicting points of view. Your objective is to convince the other character that your point of view is the right one! When your scene reaches a “crisis,” you will turn to your audience for their opinions. They will ask questions or make comments to you, and you will respond in character.
 * __USHPIZIN WORKSHOP NOTES__**

Not everything suggested in the comments below has to be worked into your scene. These are meant only as a variety of jumping off points for you to consider. Use or disregard any or all at will as you find your own way into your characters and your scene. We will give you a simple version of the Bible story you select as a source work for your preparation.

SCENE 1: //THE GARDEN OF EDEN// //(Characters: Eve & the Snake)// Why does the snake want Eve to bite the apple? What arguments does the snake present in favor of her doing so? What are the pros and cons that Eve considers? Why is she even tempted? Isn’t paradise enough? Imagine their conversation.

SCENE 2: //ABRAHAM’S TWO SONS// //(Characters: Sarah & Hagar)// Sarah’s son Isaac is born at last. But he is being teased by his older step-brother, Ishmael, the son of Hagar. Sarah wants Ishmael and his mother turned out of the house. Abraham loves both of his sons, and Hagar doesn’t particularly want to be banished into the desert with her child, even if promised God’s protection. Imagine a conversation between Sarah and Hagar about this decision. Were these women ever friends, or at least supportive of one another during the births and early childhoods of their sons? Is there more at stake for each of them in the splitting up of this family than their sons’ birthrights?

SCENE 3: //THE SACRIFICE OF ISAAC// //(Characters: Either Sarah & Abraham or Sarah & a Friend/Confidant)// Several options here: (1) Either Sarah and Abraham argue about Abe’s decision to obey God and go off to sacrifice their child or (2) Sarah argues this decision with a female friend/confidant. OR (3) Abraham returns from the “sacrifice” without Isaac in tow. Imagine his and Sarah’s conversation. In any case, consider the relationship between Sarah and Abraham BEFORE the “sacrifice.” Is this moment a complete surprise to Sarah? A betrayal? Or is it the culmination of a long series of strange behaviors she’s witnessed? Or is it the highpoint of a journey she and Abe have been taking hand in hand? Possibly they’re cool with this event and it’s everybody else (embodied in the confident) who thinks they’re both nuts? Where has Isaac gone and why?

SCENE 4: //JACOB’S WEDDING// //(Characters: Leah & Rachel)// Two sisters want to marry Jacob. Leah is the oldest and by custom must be married before Rachel. But Jacob loves Rachel. Leah’s dad pulls a couple of fast ones on Jacob. Not only does he make him work seven years to wed Rachel, but on the wedding night, when apparently it is VERY dark, he sends Leah to Jacob in Rachel’s place. In the morning when Jacob sees the older sister lying by his side, he realizes he’s been tricked. Imagine the conversation between the two sisters shortly thereafter. Who should be Jacob’s rightful wife? Consider their relationship BEFORE Jacob came along. Is he the latest in a series of competitive situations? Or has love for Rachel changed everything? What does each woman stand to gain here, but, also, what’s in danger or already lost?

SCENE 5: //MOSES IN THE BULRUSHES// //(Characters: Yocheved & Miriam)// Baby Moses is getting too big to hide. Mom is having a harder and harder time keeping him, and decides to hide the baby in the bulrushes on the banks of the Nile. Imagine his big sister Miriam thinking this is a very bad idea. Or, imagine Miriam coming up with the idea – to Yocheved’s horror. (BARRY: DO I REMEMBER CORRECTLY THAT MIRIAM ENDS UP WORKING IN THE PALACE AS MOSES’ NANNY? IF SO, MIGHT WE TOSS IN THE POSSIBLE CONSIDERATION OF A BIT OF AMBITION HERE – ON EITHER YOCHEVED’S PART OR MIRIAM’S PART, OR ON BOTH THEIR PARTS?)

SCENE 6: //RUTH & ORPAH// //(Characters: Ruth & Orpah – Duh!)// The widow Naomi, during a time of famine, decides to leave her late husband’s land Moab for Bethlehem where she grew up. She has two daughters-in-law that love her very much. But Naomi asks them not to follow her: “No, your place is not with me, an old woman. You must stay in Moab where you belong.” Ruth plans to go anyway. Orpah thinks they should stay. Imagine the conversation between Ruth and Orpah about staying or following their mother-in-law. These women have all been very close, in marriage and in widowhood. Has it all been a positive experience – equally for each of them? What is being gained by parting, and what is being given up?

SCENE 7: //DAVID & ABIGAIL// //(Characters: Abigail & Friend/Confidant)// Wandering in the desert, young David comes within a short distance of the home of Nabal, a man famous for his enormous wealth. As David has always treated him well, he doesn’t hesitate to ask for food, but is received rudely. Abigail disobeys her husband’s wishes and sends provisions to David. Imagine a conversation in which she decides to be a disobedient wife and the friend who tries to talk her out of it. In addition to basic human kindness, what might Abigail’s motivations be? What are her feelings for her husband, and for David? What does she know about her husband’s rudeness to David? What are the dangers of disobedience?

SCENE 8: //KING SOLOMON’S WISDOM// //(Characters: Mother 1 & Mother 2)// You know the scoop. Both of you are claiming the baby is yours. Make your case. Create, even if only in your mind, the history of these two women and the relationship between them. Is it really all about the baby? And, if so, why?

SCENE 9: //ESTHER BECOMES QUEEN (Characters: Esther & Vashti)// Esther wants to approach the king, but that’s a bit risky. Imagine a conversation between her and Vashti about the wisdom of such a decision. In addition to needing advice from a former wife who risked disapproval – and got it, perhaps Esther sends up a trial balloon by revealing her Jewishness to Vashti? How might Vashti feel about giving advice to her replacement – who turns out to be a Jew?