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1. During the performance of "The Rain Came to Mayfield", the students' emotion output is highly-charged. How are emotional triggers helpful to students' education?
2. Inflammatory terms are used in ACCIDENTAL HERO. Why is it important to explore the use of these derogatory terms as used in our culture? Why is the use of these words so powerful in the film? How might you discuss this with youth without hurting anyone's feelings?
3. How are these situations from the pieces supposed to make the audience feel? Describe your own emotional reaction.
4. In one of the interviews, a student talks about " …being given a chance". Educationally, do you feel you have "been given a chance"? Why, or why not?
5. What did you learn about the time it takes these students to perfect a "piece" and why?
6. Tommie's program provides a model for success. His students see success happen in front of them. They know it can be done. How can you use that model to inspire your child?
7. How do you convince your child that the fear of speaking in front of an audience will be away with practice?
8. Tommie gets to know his students personally before he gives them pieces of literature to memorize and perform. His topics deal in issues faced by all educators today: alcoholism, abuse, homelessness, teen suicide and racism. Why do you feel he chooses such strong subject matter?
9. What is unique about his methodology for assigning work to his students? How might his students benefit from his approach?
10. How would you benefit from taking a class like this? Would you enroll in a forensics class if it were offered? Why, or why not?