Construction: For Five Singers and Players

(The stage is set with two backlit white screens on each side of the stage. Behind the stage-left screen is a collection of tools. Behind stage-right screen is a table with drawing instruments and large sheets of paper (this is the Planning area). Center stage is bare. The singers will be moving from screen to screen to front-center stage (this is the Desire area) in a triangle. [T] is an instruction to move to the tool area. [P] and [D] indicate moving to the planning and desire areas, respectively.)

 

Amy: [P]         We were blind to the reality we had created. We ignored                    the speeches,                               Some said this might

Tod: [P]                                      the reality we had created. We ignored the reports,                   the visionaries. Some said this might

Wdy: [T]                                                                                                                                                                     (cresc) say this WILL

Sct: [T]

Dan: [T]

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Amy:   happen if [T]

Tod:    happen if we didnÕt turn back. Most didnÕt listen.

Wdy:   happen if we donÕt  turn back. [D]           Most donÕt listen! While it is not the case, I desire a world where truth is not feared or

Sct:     

Dan:                                                                     MOST DONÕT LISTEN! 

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Amy:                                                                                                                                                                                             Stop!

Tod:                Change was a path barricaded by those with all the power ignored the millions                                                      Stop!

Wdy: hidden! [P]                            barricaded      those with all the power. We ignored the millions of species that cried out, ŌStop!Ķ as

Sct:                                                                                                                                                                                                      Stop!

Dan:                                                                                                                                                                                                Stop!

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Amy:  

Tod:    more disappeared daily. [T]

Wdy:   more disappeared daily. We were told that economic advancement and technological conquest were making our lives better.

Sct:                        [D] I desire that all humans co-exist peacefully. [P]

Dan:                                                                                     [D]           I desire a world where people are genuine and their motives are                                

 

 

Amy:                                                                                                               [D] I desire a world where the needs of the current human

Tod:                                                       inspect your condition!

Wdy:                                                                                                               [D] I desire a world where the needs of the current human

Sct:                 But when we stopped to inspect our condition we recognized the lies that had caused it

Dan:    clear [P].                                                                                                                                         The voices of many were

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Amy:   condition take priority over the current economic condition. [P]

Tod:   

Wdy:   condition take priority over the current economic condition. [P]

Sct:                     The lives of many                                                                    DonÕt we deserve better?

Dan:    silenced. The lives of many were exploited. DidnÕt we deserve better? All we wanted was a better world, a better society, One

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Amy:   where                   TRUE needs are actually met, One where                              did not shape and restrict our options for              

Tod:    (sparse rhythm)

Wdy:   where everyoneÕs TRUE needs are actually met, One where             and greed did not shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhoptions for

Sct:      where                               needs are actually met, One where wealth                   did not shape and restrict our options for

Dan:    where everyoneÕs TRUE needs are actually met, One where [T]

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Amy:   subsistence. Was that unreasonable?                                                                                      The leaders thought so. They had

Tod:                                                      [D] I desire power in a society to be shared and not hoarded. [P]

Wdy:   subsistence. [T]

Sct:      subsistence. Was that unreasonable?                                                                                      The leaders thought so. [T]

Dan:   

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Amy:   their comforts and luxuries so they saw no need for change. [T]

Tod:                comforts!        Luxuries!

Wdy:                                                                                                   The world isnÕt really that bad; people are paranoid and like to stir

Sct:                                                                                                                                                                     IÕm paranoid

Dan:                                                                                                                                        So terrible

 

Amy:                    I wonder if thatÕs                       what they said when they realized they couldnÕt eat all of the money they had

Tod:                     I wonder if thatÕs what they thought                 as the fabric of society tore in front of their eyes.

Wdy:   up trouble.

Sct:     

Dan:   

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Amy:   stockpiled.

Tod:    I wonder if that is what they cried as they burned their riches to keep warm and stay alive. [T]

Wdy:  

Sct:     

Dan:                                                                                                                                            [D] I desire a society that emphasizes and    

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Amy:  

Tod:   

Wdy:                                                                                                                                               [D] I desire a society that respects the

Sct:     

Dan:    encourages the socialization of thought, rather than that of the production of commodities.  I desire a society that respects the

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Amy:                                                                                                                                             [D] I desire a society where everybody is

Tod:   

Wdy:   environment by sustaining itself in a way that cooperates with the world that surrounds it. I desire a society where everybody is

Sct:     

Dan:    environment by sustaining itself in a way that cooperates with the world that surrounds it. I desire a society where everybody is

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Amy:   aware of what they have to offer this world and does so. I desire a world where what I have to offer cannot be exploited. I

Tod:   

Wdy:   aware of what they have to offer this world and does so. I desire a world where what I have to offer cannot be exploited. [P]

Sct:     

Dan:    aware of what they have to offer this world and does so. [P]

 

 

Amy:   desire a society without private property or money, because without ownership there cannot exist the LACK of ownership,

Tod:   

Wdy:  

Sct:     

Dan:   

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Amy:   which is poverty. [P]                                                                                                                      Were they too extreme?

Tod:                                                             [D] I desire small communities that work together to meet the needs of everyone.

Wdy:               We had desires for a better world.                                                     Were they worthless?

Sct:                                     [D] I desire a society that is trusting and accepting.

Dan:                We had desires for a better world.                                                                                      Were they too extreme?

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Amy:  

Tod:    I desire a society that cannot self-destruct. I desire a society where I am not judged by stereotypes, class, race, or profession.

Wdy:  

Sct:      I desire a society that cannot self-destruct. I desire a society where I am not judged by stereotypes, class, race, or profession.

Dan:                                                                  [D] I desire a society where I am not judged by stereotypes, class, race, or profession.

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Amy:                                                                                [D]  I desire all life to be significant and to be considered sacred. Everything

Tod:                                                                                        I desire all life to be significant and to be considered sacred.

Wdy:   Now all we have is our desires, there is nothing left. [D]                                                                                             Everything

Sct:                                                                                          I desire all life to be significant and to be considered sacred.

Dan:                                                                                        I desire all life to be significant and to be considered sacred.

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Amy:   that was is no longer.

Tod:                                     This time we must learn from our mistakes.

Wdy:   that was is no longer.

Sct:                                                                                                           This time, we have to do better.

Dan:                                                                                                                                                          We must begin again.