Impressions

This play explores the word “impressions” and its many meanings, from dressing to impress, to getting the wrong impression, to imitating someone, to making an impression–good or bad. Perhaps the ultimate message is that the best way to impress others is to be yourself! Impressions is a play for middle and high schoolers that works well for performance or classroom scene study. Flexible casting means that you can perform with as few as 10 or as many as 36 actors. Most scenes are gender-neutral. The play has an ensemble prologue and epilogue, meant to be performed by the entire cast, but could also be played by just a few actors. The six scenes are intended to be performed all together, but any scene can be removed for the sake of casting, and the play would still work cohesively.

About the playwright:

René BeVier Dill has been teaching drama to both middle and high school students in Colorado for close to 25 years. Previous to that, she taught in New York City, working as a teaching artist, creating original theatre productions in all five boroughs. A highlight of her career so far was when she received a fellowship to study Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre in London and performed a scene from The Tempest on the Globe stage. For fun, she enjoys reading (a lot), playing guitar and singing, gardening, hiking, and skiing. Her three children and her mini dachshund also keep her very busy and are a great joy. Occasionally, she is still able to perform, sometimes alongside her husband and children, in local theatre productions.

Excerpt from the play:

SCENES and CHARACTERS
This play can be performed by as few as 10 or as many as 36 actors. The prologue and epilogue are written for the entire class to perform, but if more scenes are needed, the lines in the prologue and epilogue can be divided between actors.

PROLOGUE: Performed by the entire cast. (Or divide the lines to create a scene for fewer actors)

SCENE ONE: “FAKE FRIENDS”
Four friends meet before the first day of school to share the latest fashion trends. (4 roles for females)

SCENE TWO: “HANGING OUT”
A wrong impression is formed from a vague text message among friends. (4 roles are gender neutral, 1 role for a female.)

SCENE THREE: “DRAMA CLUB”
Three drama club students invite an outsider to audition for the school play. (3 roles are students, one is a teacher; all are gender neutral. Extras could be included.)

SCENE FOUR: “SHOES”
During spirit week, students are asked to dress as teachers, and the best impression gets a prize. (Two roles are male, and three roles are female. Extras could be included.)

SCENE FIVE: “WRONGLY ACCUSED”
A cell phone is supposedly stolen in a classroom, and a student is accused with little to no evidence. (Five gender-neutral roles. Extras could be included.)

SCENE SIX: “MAKE AN IMPRESSION”
Some students try too hard to make an impression before a school dance.
ONE (male, named Logan. He likes Lexi)
TWO (male, named Pat. Clueless. He likes basketball.)
THREE (female, named Lexi. She likes Pat.)
FOUR (female, named Chelsea. She likes Logan)
FIVE (female, named Charlotte. She likes Pat)
Extras could be included

EPILOGUE: For the entire cast. (Or divide lines to make a scene for fewer actors.)

PROLOGUE
The prologue can be played by the full cast, or the lines can be divided up among a smaller group to make another scene.

A
Impression.

B
To have a feeling about something.

C
Based on intuition, a hunch or….

D
an opinion.

A-D
A gut feeling.

E
I always thought about impressions as imitations.

F
Imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

G
Copying!

H
Clothes.

E
Makeup!

F
Trends.

G
Popular Expressions.

E-I
Bro!!!

J
I thought impressions were making my mark on something or someone.

K
Standing out.

L
Like I was here!

M
Do you see me?

J-M
Do not forget me!

N
I always thought it was something you did, to impress someone else.

O
Like to wear the latest trend.

P
Or to get good grades.

Q
Or get a part in the school play to impress my parents.

R
Sounding smart to impress my girlfriend.

N
You have a girlfriend?

R
What, I didn’t give you that impression?

S
Sometimes, an impression can be wrong.

T
Sometimes, people base impressions on little to no evidence.

U
Like I form an opinion about you because of assumptions.

V
This can be hurtful.

W
Don’t assume anything unless you have seen it with your own eyes.

X
Like, I could have gotten the impression that you aren’t smart because you play football.

Y
That’s crazy that you’d think that. I hide my smarts well!

Z
Not only is he a football player, but he’s also in Advanced Math.

A1
Really?

A2
Yep, wouldn’t have had that impression!

(Select actors step down from previous groups.)

A
Sometimes, people form impressions about others that are completely wrong.

E
Be aware of those kinds of impressions.

J
Those kinds of impressions can be dangerous!

N
Because those kinds of impressions can be formed based on opinions.

S
And opinions often aren’t based on facts but on feelings.

X
So, instead, form impressions when you know things for a fact.

A-D
Keep your eyes open.

E-I
Don’t judge a book by its cover.

J-M
Read the truth inside!

N-R
Keep your ears open.

S-W
Keep them low to the ground.

X-A2
Keep your hearts open.

HALF OF THE STAGE
Especially to others who are different from you.

OTHER HALF OF THE STAGE
Keep your minds open.

ALL
BE OPEN TO MAKE A TRUE IMPRESSION!

END OF PROLOGUE

SCENE ONE: FAKE FRIENDS

ONE
Can’t believe school starts tomorrow. Are you ready?

TWO
No, summer was long and boring, but I’m not ready to go back.

THREE
Me neither. Although I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little glad I don’t have to babysit my siblings anymore.

FOUR
You’re lucky you have siblings. I’m glad I don’t have to find stuff to talk about to all of the people in my house…me, myself, and I.

THREE
Poor you, only child. I would love to be an only child and not have to share everything with my brothers and sisters.

FOUR
No you don’t, trust me.

ONE
All right, no need to argue. Why don’t we get down to business? It’s time for the yearly fashion review to help us get ready to have an amazing school year.

TWO
So, this summer, my assignment was to find shoe trends. (TWO is hiding their feet under a pillow, stuffy, or hoodie.) I scoured the internet, fashion magazines, and social media, and I found that this fall, white sneakers are out (Reaction from the group.), and platform Converse shoes are in! (Feel free to change any of these shoe trends.) So…here I am sporting the shoes that will be sure to make an impression. (TWO reveal their new shoes.) Maybe I’ll even get Taylor Jackson to friend me on Instagram with these shoes. (TWO takes a picture of shoes and posts them on Instagram.) Here’s hoping! #Shoetrend.

ONE
Wow, those shoes are going on my Amazon wish list. Good thing my birthday is just two weeks away!

THREE
And just when I saved up enough money to buy my Jordans. I haven’t even gotten them out of the box yet, so they would be perfect for the first day of school.

TWO
Don’t worry; you can still wear your Jordans, but not if you want to move in Taylor Jackson’s inner circle.

ONE
Okay, moving on. I’m here to report on jeans. (ONE is wearing a bathrobe or has a blanket covering legs.) Last year, rips and high waists were where jeans were trending. Now, the newest jeans to make an impression have…drum roll, please…(ONE unties her bathrobe, or takes off blanket.) Jeans with personalized patches. Think Jibbitz for Crocs, these are called Mypatch for jeans. (ONE does a fashion show for the group, modeling the new jeans with patches.) This one is a music note, showing my passion for music. Here is my favorite band’s logo. And, of course, sunflowers show my love for nature.

FOUR
Those jeans are amazing! Where did you get the “Mypatches?”

ONE
I saw them at the mall and saved my babysitting money for them.

TWO
Okay, I’ll take a picture of these, too, and post them on my story. (TWO takes a picture of shoes and posts them on Instagram.) #coolestjeanoftheseason.

THREE
Okay, you know I love makeup, and I’ve been studying up all summer long. You’ll notice today that I have bold lips and subtle eyes. I’m sorry to say, girls, eyelashes are out, the lips are in! (General reaction from ALL.)

TWO
Picture time, makeup artist. (TWO takes a picture of THREE’s face and posts them on Instagram.) #thefacetoimpress!

FOUR
My turn. Finally! You guys know me…I’m all about accessorizing, and this year, I’m pleased to announce that instead of stacked bracelets, the trend is stacked rings. You’ll see me sporting 10 rings on my right hand alone.

ONE
Wow, that looks strange. Are you sure it’s a trend?

TWO
Yeah, I haven’t seen anyone wearing those. I wouldn’t want people to laugh at me.

THREE
Me neither. I’m not sure I like that.

FOUR
Well it’s the trend as found in Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, and Instyle magazine.

TWO
All right. Here’s the next picture going on my story. (TWO takes a picture of FOUR’s rings and posts them on Instagram.) #thenewestaccessory.

FOUR
Okay, it’s time to fess up. I lied. I didn’t do my research on accessories because I don’t care. Why do we have to look like everyone else? Why can’t we dress in what is comfortable or what we like? If stacked bracelets are out, who cares? I’m still going to wear them because I’ve collected these over the years, and many of them were made by you, my friends. I don’t care what the socials say. And who cares if Taylor Jackson friends you because she’s impressed with your fashion posts? That’s not friendship. (General reactions of agreement from ALL.) By the way, I made you all a new bracelet instead of looking up fashion trends. (FOUR takes three bracelets off and gives them to friends.)

ONE
These are so nice. Thank you. And, yeah, you’re right. We’re lucky to have found each other. True friends.

THREE
No need to impress fake friends.

TWO
Yeah, I guess I just got carried away, wanting to be a part of the popular crowd. (TWO puts the phone down.) Let’s make a friendship promise with our bracelets. (ALL cross wrists with bracelets.) I solemnly swear. (They repeat this phrase as well as the following.)

ONE
To value my true friendships.

FOUR
To ignore fashion trends unless I like them.

ALL
And to dress only to impress myself.

TWO begins to get notifications on Instagram.

TWO
Guess what, guys, Taylor Jackson just sent me a friend request. (Beat as ALL come closer in anticipation and excitement.) And I’m going to ignore it. (ALL high five!)

END OF SCENE ONE