Post-Show Activity: Response Letters

When watching this or any play, there is certain to be some disagreement among audience members about the events of the play and the reasons certain characters behaved the way they did. The purpose of this activity is to try to illuminate the spectrum of understanding that exists within the class.

Following the end of Making Gay History: Before Stonewall, what would any of the characters say about the events we have witnessed or heard about? To whom would they say it?

Once the students have written their letters, ask them to get into small groups and read their letters to each other. Once they have all shared, use the discussion questions to debrief the activity.

Discussion Questions

• What do we think the characters want to express? Why didn’t they express these thoughts before the end of the play?
• What do these letters reveal about the character?
• What can the class as a whole learn from this experience?

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