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WELCOME TO

THE GLASS MENAGERIE – PRE-SHOW

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1.   ABOUT THE PLAY

The Glass Menagerie is a powerful story about a family chasing big dreams while dealing with life’s challenges in their little St. Louis apartment.

 

Set in the 1930s, the themes in this classic American play are still relatable today. Tom wants to break free and explore the world, but he’s stuck working to help his family. When Tom brings home a special guest, his mother is convinced this could change everything.

 

Will their dreams soar, or will reality get in the way?  

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RESIDENT ACTING COMPANY MEMBERS DYLAN GODWIN &

MELISSA MOLANO FOR THE GLASS MENAGERIE PROMO

PHOTO BY VICTORIA SAGADY

2.   WHEN + WHERE

LATE 1930s – The Glass Menagerie takes place around 1937 or 1938 - during the Great Depression. While the exact year isn't specified in the text, Tom Wingfield references European events - hinting at the buildup to World War II.

ST. LOUIS – What was it like in the 1930s?

  • St. Louis was a bustling city with many working-class neighborhoods like the one in the play.

  • It was a center for industry and river trade, with many people working in factories and small businesses.

  • Streetcars clattered through the city, and jazz music spilled out of clubs in the evenings.

  • Despite hardships brought on by the Depression, people clung to their dreams and traditions - striving to make the best of tough times.

Click through the photos to see the St. Louis streets that make the world of the play.

3.   WHO'S WHO

Read the descriptions below and click on each photo for the actor's bio.

SALLY WINGERT

Amanda Wingfield 

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Amanda Wingfield - A faded Southern belle with a tenacious charm and a sharp tongue, clinging to memories of her youth and societal ideals. Mother of Tom and Laura.

Key Traits: 

  • Overbearing and deeply devoted to her children, often to their frustration. 

  • Nostalgic for her past and determined to secure a bright future for her family. 

  • Struggles to adapt to the harsh realities of their financial struggles. 

DYLAN GODWIN*

Tom Wingfield 

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Tom Wingfield - A restless dreamer, working a monotonous job at a shoe warehouse while yearning for adventure and creative freedom. 

 

Key Traits: 

  • Witty and introspective, with a strong sense of duty to his family despite his resentment. 

  • An aspiring poet trapped by the confines of his reality. 

  • Torn between his own desires and the expectations placed on him as the family’s provider. 

MELISSA MOLANO*

Laura Wingfield 

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Laura Wingfield - A fragile and painfully shy young woman with a deep connection to her collection of delicate glass animals. 

Key Traits: 

  • Gentle and introverted, often retreating into her private world. 

  • Insecure about her physical disability and social abilities. 

  • Yearns for acceptance but struggles to connect with the outside world. 

LUIS QUINTERO

Jim O'Connor

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Jim O’Connor, aka The Gentleman Caller - A charismatic and confident young man, working as a shipping clerk, with lingering dreams of achieving more. Tom's friend from work.

 

Key Traits: 

  • Practical and optimistic, serving as a foil to Tom's cynicism. 

  • Affable and kind-hearted, but somewhat oblivious to the impact of his words and actions. 

  • Represents both hope and disillusionment for Laura and the Wingfield family. 

* Alley Theatre Resident Acting Company members

MEET THE PLAYWRIGHT

Tennessee Williams (1911-1983) is one of the greatest American playwrights, known for plays like The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. His works explore deep human emotions and social issues, making them timeless and influential. 

The Alley has a long history of producing William's plays. Take a look at the list of productions on our Alleypedia page!

CLASSROOM ACTIVITY

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Use the lesson plan below to guide students through an activity exploring the show's characters.

4. GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Here are some things mentioned in the play that might be unfamiliar to a modern audience member. 

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1. LAURA IS STUDYING TYPING & SHORTHAND

Laura’s attempts to learn typing and shorthand show how young women in the 1930s were pushed to pick up practical office skills as a way to gain independence and financial stability.


Her struggles with these lessons reveal her deep fears and the clash between what society expected of her and her own shy, sensitive personality.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITY

THEME: ESCAPISM

Use the lesson plan below to guide students through an activity about the theme of escapism.

5.   YOUR PART IN THE PLAY

The show can't happen without an audience. Watch the video for some great advice on playing your part.

BONUS ACTIVITY

AUDIENCE ETIQUETTE 

After watching the video, improvise scenes where you encounter the best and worst audience members. If you create something fun and want to share it, tag us at @alleytheatre on Instagram or Facebook for a chance to be featured on our social platforms. 

POST-SHOW

Visit the "Post-Show" page for fun ways to unpack the experience, including an inside look at behind-the-scenes content.

EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

713.315.3389
 
Meredith J. Long Theatre Center
615 Texas Avenue
Houston, Texas 77002
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All Content Provided for Educational Purposes Only.

Copyright © 2024 Alley Theatre Education & Community Engagement.

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