Tunnel of Oppression Planning Timeline

The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.  - Martin Luther King, Jr.

J-Term: Building A Team and A Topic

• Week of 1/21-1/25
  • Identify your team members and identify areas for people to focus on:
    • Team Captain – meets with Staff Liaison
    • Props and Displays – coordinates purchase & creation of props
    • Audio/visual needs – coordinates media components
    • Research – coordinates research related to topic
  • Develop a list of potential topics

February: Conceptualize!

• Week of 2/4-2/8
  • Narrow down your list and choose a topic for your scene
  • Begin research on the topic

• Week of 2/11-2/15
  • Design the overall concept for your scene (see page 3 for more info)
    • Passive – audience views static images and words pertaining to your topic
    • Mixed Media – audience sees and hears your topic
    • Interactive/Theatrical – audience is invited in as participant to witness a short scene, actors may speak to one another or the audience members
    • Decide how you will communicate the topic of your scene and the things you learned in your research to your audience.  What is the takeaway message?  What story do you want to tell?
    • Draft an initial budget
• Week of  2/8-2/21
  • Team Captain meets with your Staff Liaison to share your topic, overall concept, and itemized budget
  • Submit a written proposal for your scene
  • PROPOSALS DUE FEBRUARY 19, 2013 NO LATER THAN 5:00PM
• Week of  2/25-3/1
  • Team Captain meets with Staff Liaison to review written proposal and offer feedback
  • Purchase necessary props
    • Clothing, colored paper, music, etc

  March: Create & Practice

• Week of 3/4-3/8
  •  Discuss feedback as a team
  • Make changes as needed
  • Begin designing the displays for your scene
    • Posters, making videos, scripts for actors, finding music, printing handouts for participants, etc.
  • Continue with the finishing touches
    
    • Work parties to make props, displays, etc.
    • Rehearsals for those using a script
    •  
      • Week of 3/11-3/15
        • Team captain meets with Staff Liaison review status of scene and ask any last minute questions
        • Ongoing work parties to wrap up any tasks
      • Week of 3/18-3/22
        • Team captain attends a large group meeting to update everyone on the details of the upcoming event
        • Rehearsal!
        • SCENE SCRIPTS DUE MARCH 20, 2013 NO LATER THAN 5:00PM
      • Week of 3/25-3/29
        • Spring Break!
      • Week of  4/1-4/3
        • Rehearsal
      • April 4
        • Set Up and Dress Rehearsal
      • April 5
        • Show Time!

    • April: Final Touches.... Show Time!

Developing Your Scene

Option A: Passive

This option involves designing a scene that participants can walk up to, experience, and move on from on their own accord.  It is structured to allow for participants to engage with the material in any order and is self-directed. 

The emphasis here is on bringing an issue to life in a way that communicates deeper understanding or awareness.

Option B: Mixed Media

This option offers you the chance to draw from media resources to supplement your scene.  It involves a strategy for welcoming, gaining the attention of, and presenting to participants in a more linear order. 

The emphasis is on either a) the media itself to offer critique or f) uses media as part of the story you seek to communicate. 

Option C: Interactive/Theatrical

This option invites participants to be part of the scene itself.  This active participation may include filling out a form or addressing the audience through dialogue in a skit.  The scene should be designed to engage and involve participants without shocking them or putting any one person on the spot.

The emphasis here is to create an environment that offers participants a small glimpse of what life is like for certain individuals in our society.