Drama

Telgemeier, R. (2012). Drama. New York: Graphix/Scholastic.

Summary:

For Callie, theater is everything. But rather than perform, she enjoys being backstage, designing the sets. Not only does she have to navigate the different aspects of putting on a drama, Callie also has to deal with drama outside of the theater arts department. Such as 8th grader Greg breaking up with Bonnie and wondering if she has a chance with Jesse? When did everything get so complicated?

Reaction:

Raina Telgemeier has managed to construct both a graphic novel, fictional storytelling, and a drama format into one. The novel is split into different “Acts” with an Intermission towards the middle of the novel. Callie is the star performer, but her castmates tend to steal the show from her.

Not only does Telgemeier promote the arts with this novel, but she also promotes LGBT students who are figuring themselves out. Twins Justin and Jesse are both gay, but only Justin readily admits it to Callie while Jesse needs time to figure things out. Callie briefly crushes on her friends’ older brother until she is rejected. That same friend doesn’t know how to express his own feelings towards her other than meanly. In the end, Callie ends up alone romantically, but her life is full of friends from the drama department in her school. What else could she really need?

Several of the characters demonstrate bravery in their own way. Jesse doesn’t want to steal the show away from his twin, so he chooses to help Callie in the background. But when the female lead has an utter meltdown, he puts on a dress and acts out her part. This act contributes to his courage in admitting to Callie his feelings towards another boy instead of her. Matt apologizes to Callie at the end of the boy. He realized how badly he treated Callie all year long and owned up for his actions.

Callie is a strong role model in many different ways. She is accepting towards her friends, she is confident in her place in theater, and when she has a vision, she is determined to see it to life. She works tirelessly at making sure her cannon works and it does! Instead of swooning at the chance to be with Greg when he decides, she leaves him to sit in the dark by himself.

Connections:

Activities:

- Have students choose a scene or act from the book. They will write stage directions to go with the actions in each panel.
- Have students analyze a page or panel(s) from the book. Wordless panels are best such as page 160 or the first panel on page 161 when the cannon goes off during the lunchroom preview. Or page 140-141 during intermission. Pages 89-90 when Callie went to her first play. How do these scenes express storytelling?
- Teach this novel in Theater Arts classrooms. Use a KWL chart. What do you know about putting on a play? What do you want to know about putting on a play? And at the end students can write what they have learned.
- Liz is the costume designer for the play. Give students an excerpt from a short story or book and have them design a costume from it. Provide different costume books to help in their research.  
- Callie enjoys designing sets for the plays her school puts on. Give students an excerpt from a short story or book that describes the setting. Then have students design a set based on the information given.
- Drama was banned in 2012 for being sexually explicit. Have students read the novel before bringing up this information. When they have finished the novel, explain how the book was banned and ask students their thoughts on the matter. Did they think it was sexually explicit? What part(s), if any, made them feel uncomfortable?
- Prompt: What is an activity you are passionate about? Describe the activity and explain why you are passionate about it.

Videos:

[Scholastic]. (2012, August 21). Drama by Raina Telgemeier: Book Trailer [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/ysWrqAMktc0