Jenny's Response to The Fourth Workshops

AFFIRMATIONS

(1) I don't know that I was really all that aware of the different modes of communication you had going in The Fourth until we pulled them out to play with them in class...but as soon as we did, they really caught fire for me. This is an affirmation of doing so (and digging into the different things that txt vs phone vs see each other will do for the characters and the play) AND an affirmation for Robert in incorporating this into the play. One of those things that, once I see it, I wonder why every play isn't doing it. But it feels VERY right for these characters and this play.

(2) Way to go in upping the act (and, I think, upping the stakes) of what happened between Connor and Adrian. I think you get a lot of mileage out of it, whichever way you play it (top or bottom).

(3) Great that you showed us the "what went down" scene both ways...I think the differences between them aren't JUST in the act itself, but that the scenes generated a lot of good feedback. Nice to have those.

(4) I'm going to second what Erica said...and I think Carrie...that I think it's a nice choice to hold out on showing us Connor (just as Connor holds off on playing his hand...).

QUESTIONS
(1) Does Mia have a flip side?
(2) Why does Jessica go after Henry?
(3) Why is Henry back?
(4) Why did Connor and Jessica break up?
(5) Where are they?

OPINIONS
(1) You lose me, a little, when the characters do a lot of statement of feelings.
(2) I feel like you're really successfully creating a universe/universe of people with a certain set of rules, and that you help me to get that universe instantly.
(3) I want to feel like there is something bigger than any one person's interpersonal relationship at stake. Henry is the place where I think I feel that...I guess I find myself seeking out what is dark, and indelible/irrevocable, in the play...what are the things that can be changed and NEVER go back in the world of these characters?