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MilkMilkLemonade- Actors Packet

Contents

Gender Studies 101...2

Drag..3

Sexuality Development...5

Childrens Rhymes...6

Imaginary Friends and Fantasy Play...........7

Depression...........9

Textual References..10


Note from the dramaturg

I have compiled a ton of information over the last couple of months, and this packet
contains the best of the best. But this means I still have a ton of info on standby that
might potentially be helpful, so if you have any questions do not hesitate to ask me
(this is what Im here for!) Im always free to help you find more material, locate
resources, or just be a springboard for conversations about anything you think might
be dramaturgical.


Things I can probably help you with-
Getting a visceral understanding of your character (How do I know what its like to
be a drag queen? A farmer? A child? Etc.)
Understanding how your character/specific lines function in the show
Understanding references and allusions

Additionally, I am setting up a blog that will contain links to all of the textual
references on pages 10 and 11. Ill continue to update it throughout the rehearsal
process with some relevant articles, pictures and videos for inspiration and general
hype material. I hope youre all as excited as I am!`

Vanessa Frank
724.880.8111
[email protected]
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Gender Studies 101

Sex- determined by biological factors including sex chromosomes and
reproductive organs.

Gender- attitudes, feelings, and behavior associated with biological sex.

Sex Role- roles assigned and enforced by society according to gendered
behavior.

Gender Identity- the sense of oneself as male or female

Androgyny- possession of masculine and feminine characteristics

Sex roles are often thought of as performed identities, meaning that all
qualities that are coded as male or female.


Men(masculinity)- aggressive, independent, unemotional, objective, dominant,
competitive, logical/rational, adventurours, decisive, self-confident, ambitious,
worldly, act as a leader, assertive, analytical, strong, sexual, knowledgeable, physical,
successful, good in math and science, and the reverse of the characteristics below.

Women (femininity)- emotional, sensitive, expressive, aware of others feelings, tactful,
gentle, security-oriented, quiet, nurturing, tender, cooperative, interested in pleasing
others, interdependent, sympathetic, helpful, warm, interested in personal appearance
and beauty in general, intuitive, focused on home and family, sensual, good in art and
literature, and the reverse of the masculine characteristics above.

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Drag
DRessed As a Girl

What is it?
Someone who wears clothing associated with a gender role worn by a person of the
opposite gender for performance, associated with the LGBTQ community.

It is not-
Cross-dresser- heterosexual who wears clothing of the opposite gender, often for
sexual pleasure.

Transsexual- Medical term for someone who has physically changed his or her sex.

Transgender- An individual facing conflict between sex and gender.

Cross dressing and drag has been done forever
Shakespeares plays were performed by all male casts in Elizabethan England
Eastern theater forms such as Noh and Kabuki use drag






What is a drag show?
Drag performers often adopt a dramatic persona that matches their aesthetic. They
perform in a variety of capacities, frequently lip-sycing, dancing, and posing.
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Why do people do drag?
Catharsis- Drag is a form of art. It takes a ton of work and passion to be a
good drag performer. Success through something you love is a way to feel
whole.
Expression -Drag performers often feel like the truest version of themselves
when they are in drag. It is a way to feel beautiful and share their confidence
with others. It is also a way to put on another character and speak your mind
through their image.
Community- They want to spend time with people who have similar interests
and life experiences. People in the LGBTQ communities sometimes dont find
these kinds of people until long after they have left school. This is more
incentive to perform this play for young queer kids who might feel very alone
in their struggle.
Income- Some well-known drag performers make a living from their art.

You probably feel most comfortable expressing yourself as your drag character,
which is why you are performing this show in drag.

Drag Resources

There is a whole world of resources for beginner drag queens online. Dont be
afraid to do some exploring!

Youtube Channels:
Honey LaBronx
Sugar Love
Drag Queens of London

askthegay.com-

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Emory, Elliot, and Nanna

Sexuality Development


The physiological changes of puberty take on major societal significance as indicators of the
trasition from nonreproductive to potentially reproductive capabilites. This means that the
sexual activities of postpubescent children could result inproducing a new member of the
society. Consequently, the group has a more significant stake in how and with whom sexual
activities occur. (261)

Emory and Elliot are at the brink of beginning puberty. In the history of our culture,
this means that their actions soon should result in reproduction, which is why
everyone is so invested in their sexuality. They are supposed to be preparing for
adult sexual roles, and homosexual activity defies this expectation.

Recently, our culture has switched to a nonreproductive model of sexuality. We no
longer have sex for the benefit of society, but instead for pleasure and for
developing relationships. We are more focused on what people want rather than

what they need.

But social life has changed faster than the cultural concepts that allow homosexuality
to exist, which is why older people tend to be more homophobic.

Nanna grew up in the latter way of thinking, which is why her expectations for
Emory to fulfill the male gender role is so high. It is a generational difference
in thinking. Nanna wants what she thinks is best for Emory.

Source: Cultural Dimensions of Childhood Sexuality in the U.S.
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Emory and Elliot
Naughty Childrens Rhymes

Milk, milk, lemonade. Around the corner fudge is made
Chinese, Japanese, dirty knees, look at these!
Lady, lady, in the tub. How many titties did you scrub?
(Elliot, pg. 36)

Dirty rhymes such as these have been circulated among children for
centuries. They have a nice rhythm and serve to emphasize dirty words
they might not usually say (and to some extent they dont have a clue
what they mean.) Children are not angels, but they also might never be
more innocent than when they are repeating a rude rhyme. Its a way to
experiment and explore, usually in a setting beyond the influence of the
family circle. Source: The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren by Iona Opie

Elliot, like many young boys, takes interest in experimentation. What
reaction might he get if he says dirty words around adults? Or when he
sets his textbook on fire? His behavior is meant to provoke others and
watch the results unfold.

Innuendo and Adult humor (feat. Milk, Milk, Lemonade) on Pee Wees Playhouse:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVFB4lKjIQU


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Emory, Elliot, and Linda
Imaginary Friends and Fantasy Play
Children with imaginary friends tend to have higher IQs, better self-confidence, and
watch less TV.

Why do children have imaginary friends?
Lonliness- Emory is an only child living on a farm. His parents are not around
and he probably does not have many friends at school. Linda and Starlene are
his way of having consistent companionship.

Overcoming restrictions- Children make up stories about their characters to
imagine overcoming their own limitations. Emory might create his characters
as a response to his inabilty to leave the farm.

Dealing with competency- There are two different ways in which children use
imaginary friends to deal with isses of competency.
1. They might create a character that is less competent than the child and
requires their help. This gives the child self-esteem. More common in girls.
2. They might create a character that is more competent than them and has
skills and qualities that they aspire to have. More common in boys.
This is an example of gendered play that we see in the script.
Emory seems to express both genders. Linda is depressed and
constantly needs to be saved by Emory. (less competent)
Starlene is talented and beautiful, which are traits Emory
aspires to have. (more competent)
The next page elaborates on this example.


Calvin and Hobbes, The Cat in the Hat, and the Velveteen Rabbit are classic examples of the
companionship children find in imaginary friends.
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What happens to imaginary friends?

Adults take control or intervene- Part of the novelty of having an imaginary
friend is the ability to boss them around and control their communication. If
kids dont have control anymore, they often abandon their friend. Parents
might try to dictate what the companion does, which causes the child to
abandon it.

Parental disapproval- When parents disapprove of imaginary play, children
become more secretive of their interactions with their imaginary friends.
Older children are more likely to give it up altogether, which is what happens
to Emory with Linda and Starlene.

Even adults who once had imaginary companions themselves seemto believe
there is something wrong with someone who continues to have an imaginary
friend after the preschool years. I have found adults enjoy telling me about
their imaginary companions until I ask how old they were when they stopped
playing with pretend friends. Its a question that elicits of mild dismay and
comments like, Id rather not say, Well, thats the embarrassing part, or
How old can a person be before it isnt a good thing anymore? Their
responses sugges that these adults believe there is an appropriate age by
which one should have given up an imaginary companion

The child acquires more real friends- The presence of Elliot by the end of
the play makes it easier for Emory to go on without Linda and Starlene.



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Linda
Depression

6.7% of Adults in the US experience major depressive disorder. Women are 70% more
likely to experience a major depression in their life.

Symptoms of depression:
Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings
Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
Irritability, restlessness
Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
Fatigue and decreased energy
Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
Overeating, or appetite loss
Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease
even with treatment.

Do Animals Get Depressed? National Geographic:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/10/121004-animals-depression-health-
science/



Sapolsky on depression-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOAgplgTxfc
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References

Pg. 8: Anything Goes- Harpers Bizarre
Title song from Cole Porters 1934 musical, covered by the 1960s
rock band Harpers Bizarre. Their sound is similar to that of the
Beatles, but much of their most notable songs have been covers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDyWhgWj7Pc

Pg. 13: Homes and Gardens Magazine

Pg. 14: Battle Hymn of the Republic
Patriotic anthem created during the Civil War
Also known as Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpZ3jPMM5Ac

Pg. 15: Aint Got No/ I Got Life by Nina Simone
Cover of song originally from the musical Hair about
counterculture in the 1960s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZVQmJVXDkk

Pg. 18: Virginia Slims
Brand of cigarette marketed to young women since the 1960s.




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Pg. 20: Ethel Merman
Actress and singer of the 20
th
century

Pg. 24: Tomorrow- Annie
Emory sings this song when he explains to Elliot what will happen
to him if Nanna dies. Perhaps he has watched Annie and thought
about this possibility before. This iconic song is something he can
relate to in this way, because his real parents are not present.

Pg. 26: Andrew Dice Clay
Stand up comedian with campy persona and Brooklyn accent
Known for explicit and vulgar humor that has banned him from
many TV stations
Opposed by womens rights groups for sexist humor
His most notorious bit, adult nursery rhymes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFAnaixvZFY




Pg. 39 Ive Been to Paradise Charlene
One hit wonder pop song of 1982
Its sweet, simple tune and light feminine vocals make it a hilarious
choice juxtaposition against Starlenes death
Charlene rhymes with Starlene
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZgIk2b68gQ


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Pg. 41 True- Spandeau Ballet
Iconic you-know-it-when-you-hear-it cheesy 1980s pop song, used
in Sixteen Candles.

Pretty in Pink
Written by John Hughes, Starring Molly Ringwald, and John Cryer,
1986
Quintessential 1980s prom movie
Available on Netflix

Pg. 46 Forever Young- Alphaville
Another iconic 1980s pop song
Commonly referenced in pop culture (most notably in the
Napoleon Dynamite prom scene)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1TcDHrkQYg