Play Notes

Play Notes

Study Guide for the World Premiere of

Herb Brown’s YOU’RE MY BOY

Produced by

Contemporary American Theatre Company

CATCO’s 2005-06 season is being presented in association with the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA).

Compiled, edited, and written by Bill Childs, Prof. of History, The Ohio State University (childs.1@osu.edu)

Once again, CATCO is very grateful to the Department of History and the College of Humanities at The Ohio State University for the opportunity to share with Central Ohio--and via the web, the world--insights into the process of "putting on a show." The last time this was done was in the spring 2001, when CATCO produced Frank Galati’s THE GRAPES OF WRATH. See http://people.cohums.ohio-state.edu/childs1/grapesOfWrath.htm

For every production, CATCO hires a dramaturg to collect information about the play (its structure and setting), the playwright, and past productions. This information, which is often put together into an “Actors’ Book,” aids the director in establishing an approach and it helps the actors prepare for their different characterizations. It is supplemental information that furnishes facts and context, for the director, actors, properties master, music director, and costume, scenic, lighting, and sound designers, always do their own research as well. The key word is “collaboration”; everyone collaborates and shares information with everyone else. In the case of YOU’RE MY BOY, an original production, the playwright Herb Brown was of course a driving force throughout the process.

The dramaturg prepares not only the Actors’ Book, but also Play Notes, which is a shorter published version of the Actors’ Book. This publication is made available to high school students and, sometimes, the subscribers. For the production of YOU’RE MY BOY, this web site is taking the place of Play Notes.

This web site will be updated periodically throughout the rehearsal process.

Table of Contents

Credits

CATCO’s New Works Program

Purpose of Play Notes/Questions to Consider

Introduction

The Play

Synopsis of the Play

Playwright’s Notes

Director’s Approach

Scene Locations

The Playwright