Digging Up Dessa: A world premiere Kennedy Center commission

CUESHEET PERFORMANCE GUIDE

Digging Up Dessa A World Premiere Kennedy Center Commission Part of the Women’s Voices Theater Festival

Written by Laura Schellhardt Directed by Rives Collins Music composed by Deborah Wicks La Puma

Presenting Sponsor of Performances for Young Audiences

Alina Collins Maldonado who plays Dessa Portrait by Emily Hardy

Ready to Dig? How do we answer tough questions about our world? Our past? Ourselves?

Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place to dig for answers.

Welcome to the world premiere of Digging Up Dessa, where with science at her side, 12-year-old Dessa uncovers fossils, solves mysteries, and tries to right her world.

What Happens in the Play How does a family of three become a family of two? That question haunts Dessa— because it’s about her own family. This smart and funny young scientist struggles to overcome her anger at all the sad, sudden changes in her life—the death of her father in a car accident, the move to an unfamiliar neighborhood, her start at a new school, and the bitter blame she feels toward her mother, Esther.

Dessa only finds comfort in her friend Mary Anning (pronounced ANN-ing), who just so happens to be a dead English paleontologist (pey-lee-uh n-TOL-uh-jist) only Dessa can see and hear. Mary’s presence gives Dessa a clear mission: She hopes to highlight, with the help of fellow student Nilo (NEE-lo), Mary’s overlooked scientific accomplishments. But Dessa soon learns she can’t discover her path forward until she confronts her own buried grief. And the question is: What will the truth reveal?

Four Perspectives Coming Together The play features four characters who have very different personalities, life experiences and interests, and ways of talking. Each approaches the world through a different perspective—scientific (Dessa), historical (Mary), artistic (Esther), and technological (Nilo). These outlooks come together to tell the story in an interesting and dramatic way. In the following pages, you’ll learn more about each character and explore in greater detail her or his unique viewpoint.

“We have to talk about what happened, Dessa.”—ESTHER 3

DESSA and the World of Discovering Dessa Dessa’s name gives us the first clue about her—it comes from the Greek name Odysseus, (oh-DIS-ee-uh s), and means wandering.

Our young paleontologist’s life has been turned upside down since the death of her father and she’s trying to find her way.

She’s also a realist, or someone who tends to see the world as it really is. This realistic view makes her a great scientist and also very aware of what’s wrong with the world, particularly the unfair treatment of women in science throughout history.

Using Scientific Methods Science, Dessa’s preferred way of approaching life, is the systematic study of how things in the physical and natural world work. Because of science, we understand how to cure many diseases, explore outer space, and grow more food, just to name a few things.

To discover the hows and whys of our world, scientists generally follow a system of steps commonly known as the scientific method. The steps typically go like this: Make an observation—what is the situation?

Detect patterns—what is usual and what isn’t?

Pose questions—why is this pattern appearing this way?

Form a hypothesis—what theory could explain this observation?

Test—what research or experiments test the hypothesis?

Conclude—what does testing tell you?

During the performance, listen for how Dessa and Mary rely on facts and the steps of scientific discovery to solve difficult problems.

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Science Speaking of Science Dessa and Mary both use words related to science. Here are a few to know before the show: ▲

anecdotal evidence—observations or studies that are not proven

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exaggeration—overstatement or stretching of truth

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hyperbole—obvious exaggeration

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space-time continuum—the three dimensions of space plus the dimension of time

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speculative—done by making a reasoned guess

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precision—accuracy

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impartial—fair

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evolve—to develop from preexisting forms over long periods of time

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pulp cavity—connective tissue at the center of a tooth

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hypertrophic incisor—enlarged tooth

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Fossils are the remains of plants, animals, fish, and even bacteria that have been preserved for thousands, millions, and sometimes billions of years. There are also trace fossils (like footprints or trails) that show evidence of organisms interacting with the environment. To discover the story they tell, paleontologists (scientists who study fossils) must dig and use tools like pick hammers, small knives, chisels, and brushes to gently uncover and remove fossils without damaging them.

polemic—a controversial argument

replica—a copy

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This play tells a story of a girl’s love of paleontology— also known as the history of life on Earth. And the main characters in Earth’s historic story are fossils.

sediment—solid materials like rocks, minerals, or remains that are deposited by water, air, or ice

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Finding Fossils

geology—the scientific study of the history of Earth (especially its rocks and how they have changed) Mesozoic—a geologic time period between about 250 and 65 million years ago Pleistocene—a geologic time period between about 2 million and 11,000 years ago that included the arrival of modern humans

“I’m a miracle because I’m going to pursue science—when so few faces on so few walls prove that I can.”—DESSA 5

MARY and a W Meet Mary, the Underappreciated Paleontologist Mary is unusual among the play’s characters, and it’s not just because she has an English accent, often shouts out her name, and is a pragmatist (someone who tends to deal with the world in a sensible way).

It’s because she’s based on a real person. So let’s look at her real story.

Mary Anning was born into a poor family in 1799 in Lyme Regis, England, a town on the cliffs of the English Channel. Those rocky cliffs were full of fossils, and Mary turned out to be quite a fossil hunter. Inspired and trained by her father and working with her brother, Joseph, Mary at first unearthed small fossils to sell to tourists. Even after their father died when they were young, the children continued to dig, and 12-year-old Mary discovered something tremendous—the skeleton of a marine animal no one had ever seen before.

This ancient extinct fish lizard of a group later named Ichthyosaurus (ik-thee-uh-SAWR-uh-s), surprised many citizens who up until then believed that the earth was only a few thousand years old and animals never went extinct. Mary’s found fossil challenged that assumption— and she was just getting started, with many more worldchanging discoveries to follow. Mary’s discoveries also helped inspire the work of other scientists, including Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution.

Despite her success, Mary received little credit during her lifetime. Because she was a woman with little formal education, she was not permitted to present or publish her own findings.

Male scientists took credit for Mary’s discoveries and even named some of them.

Recently, however, Mary’s been the subject of several books, and in 2010, the United Kingdom’s National Science Academy listed her among the top British women who have most influenced the history of science. In 2012, scientists named a new plesiosaur genus (class or group), Anningasaura, after her. Mary, most likely, would be pleased.

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indow on History Something About Mary Could this famous tongue-twister be about Mary Anning?

“She sells seashells by the seashore/The shells she sells are seashells, I’m sure…”

Even though there is no firm evidence, many sources believe Mary’s selling fossils by the seacoast of England inspired this rhyme. Either way, if the poem reminds you of Mary Anning, that’s one less time she has to shout her name!

“Every sedimentary rock is a story. Scientists reveal that story.”—MARY

Portrait of Mary Anning and her dog Tray along the southern coast of England.

Another Historical Character Meet “Ron.” Well, really, meet Ron’s skeleton, which Dessa and Mary encounter in the museum. Ron is an American mastodon (MAS-tuh-don), or more precisely Mammut americanum, an extinct shaggy-haired ancestor of the modern elephant. Fossils like this provide important clues to ancient life on earth, but piecing them together and interpreting those clues requires some serious scientific sleuthing. Mary strongly suspects that Ron is not what he seems.

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ESTHER and the Wonder Enter Esther, the Artist Dessa’s mom Esther is an idealist, someone with a hopeful outlook who likes big ideas. She’s also an artist who writes, plays music, and sings. But she is overwhelmed by the death of her husband and the responsibility she now bears alone such as paying all the bills (with a new job writing songs for commercials) and taking care of her daughter.

On top of those worries, she’s deeply troubled that Dessa refuses to talk about her grief. But it turns out Esther has kept her own secret—a characteristic reflected in the biblical name the playwright gave her, which sometimes means “secret” or “hidden.”

Another Artist on the Scene: the Playwright Speaking of writer-artists, playwright Laura Schellhardt created this story and wrote every word in the play. Several years ago, she became interested in how Mary Anning’s contributions had been mostly overlooked. She says, “This play is an attempt to call her by name and to encourage others to follow suit” and also give girls who love science real role models to look up to. Schellhardt also wanted the play to explore difficult ideas— like loss and forgiveness—but with a “healthy dose of humor.”

Conflicts Arise Esther wants Dessa to talk about her dad’s death so she can heal; Dessa refuses to face it. They want opposing things and that creates tension in the story, something called dramatic conflict. Characters also can have conflicts within themselves. Dessa struggles with her anger, Nilo struggles with disappointing his father, and Esther struggles with loneliness, worry, and doubt. The way these conflicts are resolved is an important part of theatrical storytelling.

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of Words How Music Helps Tell the Story Throughout the play, Esther writes, sings songs, and plays the ukulele as practice for her new job writing jingles (short musical ads) for home products like playing cards and paper towels. But listen carefully and you’ll hear metaphors for Esther’s feelings of loss, frustration, and concern for her daughter. As the story goes on, listen how she becomes a better and more confident writer and comes to a clearer understanding of herself and Dessa.

The Big Ideas The Writer’s Toolbox Like paleontologists, writers have tools they use to bring a story to life. Here are a few of these tools, known as literary devices, to listen for: ▲

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Humor—including exaggeration, sarcasm, and insults—used to lessen tension, express anger and frustration, and tap into (sometimes painful) truths about characters and situations.

Although the play is very funny at times, it explores some big and serious ideas about losing a loved one and dealing with grief, loneliness, and disappointment.

Other themes include finding true friends, the power of forgiveness, “challenging the assumptions” about what we believe, and believing anyone can be anything, from a paleontologist to a videogame sound designer. During the performance, watch how these themes play out.

Flashbacks in time that give background to events that have shaped both Dessa and Mary.

“We all play the hand we’ve been dealt.”

Repetition of words or phrases to reinforce ideas or show understanding among characters, such as “I hear you,” “hold your ground,” and “adapt or die.”

Symbolism that gives objects greater meaning, for example, the small statues or figurines that represent Dessa’s family.

—ESTHER

Metaphors, which describe something by comparing it to something else, such as how Dessa compares her father’s enthusiastic support of her to the idea of someone cheering from the bleachers.

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NILO and J Hearing Nilo Nilo, at first glance, seems nothing more than an opportunist, someone who avoids hard work and hard choices because of his family’s wealth. And even worse, he seems like just another kid from Dessa’s school who thinks she’s crazy or super lonely.

But as he and Dessa begin to work together, Nilo shows himself to be a real person struggling to meet the expectations of a father who named him Nilo, which means “people’s victory” (no pressure!). It doesn’t help that Nilo’s hidden passion—being a videogame sound designer who can “jazz things up”—is something his father wouldn’t approve of.

Dessa, however, sees potential for Nilo by using his talents to tell the story of their project.

The Sounds of a Story Nilo is a budding Foley artist—someone who creates sound effects like those heard in movies or videogames.

The name comes from Jack Donovan Foley, who in the early 1900s mastered the art of creating sounds for plays broadcast on the radio. Today, “Foley” sound designers work in many fields, including theater. For Dessa, the sound designer planned and created all the sounds you hear, from videogame sound effects to those of crashing waves.

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azzing Up the Story Bringing the Play to Life on Stage Sound is just one of many creative elements that bring Digging Up Dessa to life on stage. It takes a whole team—the playwright, director, composer, and actors plus set, lighting, projection, costume, and sound designers to make it all happen. Here are a few aspects of design you’ll see and hear during the show. ▲

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Sets—backdrops and structures that easily transform between settings in the play, including the museum, a construction site, and an apartment kitchen.

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Sound—recorded effects for everything from different locations (even a prehistoric world that no longer exists), to tragic events and even different types of cars.

Projections—projected art and images to help illuminate details and locations.

Costumes—clothes for Mary Anning that highlight aspects of her personality (like sensible shoes) and that she’s from the 1800s.

Lighting—spotlights and other lighting to help show movement and flashbacks.

Listening First Being a good sound designer requires good listening skills. Try it yourself. Find a place nearby (like the cafeteria, a park, or a sports event) where you can stop and listen to the sounds. Note each sound unique to that place and event. How might you recreate those individual sounds for the stage? Share your ideas with family and friends.

the world.”—NILO

Take a Production Challenge Imagine how you would solve one of these challenges, and then see how the creative team did it: ▲ ▲

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showing the mastodon skeleton switching quickly back and forth from the construction site to the cliffs of England showing scenes with Mary so it’s clear that only Dessa can see and hear her

Keep in mind that the audience’s imagination is one of the most powerful (and creative) tools designers can use.

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A Few More Things to Unearth Think about…

Watch for… ▲

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action taking place in two different places at once (like the construction site and kitchen).

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how Dessa and Nilo’s relationship evolves. how Mary guides Dessa and Esther to change and how these moments form important turning points in the story.

Listen for… ▲

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Esther’s nickname for Dessa, “badger” (a small, persistent animal that digs for its food). the talent Dessa has inherited from her dad. how Nilo describes making the sound of the humans’ hunting.

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why the playwright titled the play Digging Up Dessa. the difference between a photograph and a sketch (drawing), and why Dessa, a scientist, prefers sketching. the parallels between Dessa’s and Mary’s stories. the importance of learning about women role models in different fields.

Imagine…

Being a paleontologist. What kind of animal would you hope to discover? Draw a picture of this new creature and give it a name. If you’d like to explore fossils more, visit a natural history museum or find a U.S. National Park featuring fossils at: www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/ fossil-parks.htm.

“And don’t forget to listen. The past has its own sort of sound.”—MARY EXPLORE MORE!

Go to KC Connections on ARTSEDGE artsedge.kennedy-center.org/students/kc-connections

Additional support for Digging Up Dessa is provided by A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation; the Kimsey Endowment; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; and the U.S. Department of Education.

Funding for Access and Accommodation Programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

David M. Rubenstein Chairman

Major support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by David M. Rubenstein through the Rubenstein Arts Access Program.

Deborah F. Rutter President

Kennedy Center education and related artistic programming is made possible through the generosity of the National Committee for the Performing Arts and the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts.

Mario R. Rossero Senior Vice President Education

The contents of this Cuesheet have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

© 2018 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Writer: Marcia Friedman Designer: Carol Hardy Creative Director: Lisa Resnick