Play outline - Akira and the Tsunami

PLAY TITLE: “Akira and the tsunami”



This play is an adaptation of the digital story presented in Part 2, including an expansion in the number of characters to provide additional dramatic interest and motivation for the students.

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: Level 4

CHARACTERS:

Akira
Science teacher
Akira’s parents
His sister
His grandparents
His grandparents´ neighbors

SYNOPSIS (simple story outline):

Akira is a Japanese teenager. Although he is not particularly interested in science, his teacher convinces him of the importance and the attractive of scientific knowledge, and in particular of geology.
While visiting his grandparents, an earthquake takes place in their coastal town. Akira makes use of his knowledge of earthquakes and tsunamis to warn his parents of the need to move quickly to higher ground.
They manage to warn their neighbors to move also, and after collecting basic survival gear they head to a nearby hill. Once there, the tsunami arrives and causes additional destruction, but they are safe, and the story ends with their determination to rebuild everything and resume their normal life as soon as possible. Thanks to this experience, he has become convinced about the importance of working harder at high school and its rewards.

CHARACTER OBJECTIVES – What does each character want?

Akira. A teenager more interested at the start in spending his time surfing the Web on his laptop and playing, he develops a liking for science. He is resourceful and courageous in the face of disaster when an earthquake hits his grandparents’ house, and is able to convince those persons around him to move to safer ground and avoid significant danger.
Science teacher. A motivated schoolteacher, with an interest for getting the best of any promising student, she recognizes the curiosity for new knowledge in Akira, and successfully gets him involved in learning about different science topics by directing him to interesting and attractive Web pages.
Akira’s parents. Devoted, loving parents. Worried about their son’s lack of interest in school work, but then impressed and proud of his knowledge and resourcefulness in the face of adversity. Determined to help with any recovery efforts and optimistic about the future.
His sister. She is younger than Akira. She is very good at sports. She does not get on very well with Akira, as they tend to argue quite a lot. When danger threatens, she becomes his best ally.
His grandparents. They are very fond of their grandchildren. Happy to follow Akira’s indications after the quake. Proud of his knowledge and reassured by his and his parents’ support.
His grandparents´ neighbors. As the majority of Japanese people, they are used to work together as a team. Confused after the initial shocks, and then relieved when taken to safety by Akira. Happy and grateful for his recommendations.

SCENE BREAKDOWN – Where? When? What happens?

Scene 1. At Akira’s home, sometime in the Fall. His parents try to convince Akira to devote less time to videogames and social networks, and more time to studying and learning about other topics that may be useful to him in the future.

Scene 2. At school, sometime in the Winter. Akira’s teacher is showing Akira some Web pages with information on science and technology and trying to interest him on their contents. Akira shows some interest (the pages have a very attractive appearance) in several of the pages, but it is particularly interested on some pages related to Geology: tectonic plates, earthquakes, their causes and their effects.

Scene 3. At his grandparents’ house, in a town by the sea, a day of the following April. While visiting their grandparents, a strong earthquake hits the area of his grandparents’ house. There is a significant amount of damage to the house contents, and to some of the nearby buildings, but no one of Akira’s family is hurt. As soon as the tremors stop, Akira remembers that earthquakes by the sea are usually followed by tsunami waves, and urges his parents and grandparents to exit the house and move to higher ground.

Scene 4. By his grandparents’ house, a few minutes later. Akira and his family have stepped out of the house and are talking to some neighbors, who are also unhurt. Akira repeats his warnings regarding the possibility of a tsunami, and its danger. He and his sister run around their grandparents’ house convincing their neighbors to collect basic survival materials and to move quickly to higher ground. The neighbors help with the task to warn as many people as possible.

Scene 5. On a hill near his grandparents’ house, fifteen minutes later. Akira, his family and his grandparents’ neighbors have just arrived to the top of the hill, when they see in horror a tsunami wave moving inland and destroying many of the buildings already damaged by the earthquake. Nevertheless, they are safe. Akira is congratulated for his efforts to get everyone safe. The play ends with expressions of shock at the destruction from all present, of relief at having escaped safely, and of determination to rebuild and return to a normal life.