Neil LaBute does not dictate what music should be used, but that many of the professional performances of the play have used music to:

• enhance the Black Comic message
• provide a contrast to the text and subtext
• provide a message about the culture of 20-30 year old students

In a London production The Smashing Pumpkins music was used which caused some members in the audience to walk out because it was too loud while others thoroughly enjoyed the musical experience.

Using YouTube, explore what music you would use and why. Provide links in your logbook when justifying your answer.

1. What is a cathartic experience?
2. Discuss as a class the meaning of a cathartic experience for an audience watching The Shape of Things. Would a cathartic experience necessarily be every audience member's experience?
3. Research and read through reviews of the play. Some of say that no audience is likely to leave the play unchanged (Dossi, 2003) others say it is trite and not an earth shaking thought provoker (Rudd & Weitsz, 2002). Discuss.

In groups of 8 improvise members of the audience watching the last two scenes. Speak their inner thoughts such as:

• I am feeling this because ...
• I am uncomfortable because ...
• I want to laugh because ...

Reflect on the improvisation above and writes your findings in your logbooks.

1. The class create a list of questions that they wish to ask:

• Evelyn
• Adam
• Phillip
• Jenny.

Alternatively, play the game 'Hot seat' in class and write down the verbal responses in your logbook.

2. Explore how Evelyn's, Adam's, Phillip's and Jenny's internal and external changes create black comic moments. Write down your findings in your logbooks.

3. Create a detailed character analysis of each of the four characters, which would include quotes from the play to back up their findings. Incorporate into this analysis the subtext in the character's dialogue (especially Evelyn's) as this helps, in part, to create the Black Comedy and the audiences response.

4. In groups of 4-6, take a scene from the play and workshop it to:

• make it as interesting as possible through the use of their dramatic imaginations
• create opportunities for physical contact
• find the stillness in the scene
• explore the given circumstances of the characters
• explore a character's objectives, obstacles, tactics
• explore a character's sense of memory and emotional memory
• explore a character's vocal and physical domains.

5. Discuss what, if anything, defines this play and the characters in it as an American one.

In groups of 4, create your own set design for the play. You must justify the reasons for all decisions made by the group. This could be created on an online whiteboard, or a 3D model.

Answer the questions below in your logbook.

1. What are the issues in The Shape of Things that categorize it as Black Comedy?
2. What are the forms, performance styles, conventions and techniques in The Shape of Things that make it a Black Comedy on the stage?
3. Why do some audience members snigger and laugh at The Shape of Things whilst others see nothing funny about it?
4. Does a play like The Shape of Things have a function and purpose in our society?
5. All the characters are in their twenties; what is LaBute saying about this generation of young people?