Organizer #6: Writing Your Stereotype Story for THE MERRY WIDOW

Chose one of the following writing projects:

1. Write a first draft of your character's story that is not told in the opera. In other words, what did each character do that we did not see while they were offstage? Follow these steps:

• Brainstorm ideas for your story.
  
  
• Make sure your story addresses behavior and feelings that your character would exhibit as a consequence of his or her stereotype.
  
  
• Make sure one of the events in your story teaches your character a lesson his or her stereotype might need to learn.
  
  
• DO NOT rewrite the opera. Write the behind-the-scenes story of your character.
  

OR

2. Rewrite the opera from your character's point of view, if the character had been assigned a different stereotype. Follow these steps:

• Pick a stereotype different from your character's and brainstorm ideas for your story.
  
  
• Be sure your character behaves and possesses feelings that he or she would exhibit as a consequence of his or her new stereotype.
  
  
• Rewrite the opera from your character's point of view, creating new feelings and behaviors according to the stereotype you chose.