Sample Assignment – EXPOSITION

Write an exchange of dialogue between Mr. and Mrs. Cherry, a husband and wife of 35 years, in which the audience learns information of which both husband and wife are fully aware. Write one exchange for EACH of the scenarios detailed below. Use no more than four sentences per exchange.

Write the exchange in two ways.

1. First, convey the information to the audience using inappropriate stranger exposition.
Be obvious, and exaggerate. Because Mr. and Mrs. Cherry are both aware of this information, use stranger exposition which results in an awkward, clunky exchange of information which they would not believably say to each other. Use no more than four lines per character.

2. Rewrite the same exchange, conveying the given information in believable dialogue, using neighbor exposition. Use no more than four lines per character.

Example #1:

Given Information: Someone robbed them last night.

Stranger exposition which they would not believably say to each other:

MRS. CHERRY: Did you call the insurance company to tell them we were robbed while we were away on vacation in Houston?

MR. CHERRY: They’re sending someone out to see what’s missing.
MRS. CHERRY: Did you tell them they took our wedding photo which always sits on the mantelpiece?

Neighbor exposition which they would say to each other:

MRS. CHERRY: Did you call the insurance company?

MR. CHERRY: They’re sending someone out..

MRS. CHERRY: I can’t believe the creeps took our wedding photo. Who’d want to steal that?

Example #2:

Given Information: The electrical company has cut off the electricity.

Stranger exposition which they would not believably say to each other:

MRS. CHERRY: So here we are sitting in the dark, unable to see each other.

MR. CHERRY: You blame me for not paying the electric bill, don’t you?

MRS. CHERRY: Well, yes, because as we just discovered ten minutes ago, the electrical company has cut off our electricity.

Neighbor exposition which they would say to each other:

MRS. CHERRY: You know I can’t see you in the dark, Hildie.

MR. CHERRY: How many times do I have to say I’m sorry?

MRS. CHERRY: Save your apologies. Just pay the electrical bill next time.

Scenarios for Assignment:

1. The Audience learns: The Cherry’s grandson has wrecked their car.

2. The Audience learns: The Cherry’s dog is pregnant.

3. The Audience learns: The Cherrys have just paid off their mortgage.

4. The Audience learns: The Cherry’s kitchen sink is clogged.

5. The Audience learns: The year is 2029.

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