Boys With Cars

Study Guide

This video study guide was created collaboratively by Anita Majumdar, Brian Quirt (Artistic Director, Nightswimming), Lois Adamson, Stephen Colella, Clare Hill, Ali Sultani, Aimee Bouchard and Amber Ebert (YPT Staff).

SYNOPSIS

Boys With Cars explores issues around unchecked male privilege, female empowerment, and what constitutes consent – important subject matter to consider in these turbulent times. The show contrasts the experiences of a South Asian-Canadian high school girl trying desperately to fit in, with the life of the popular girl who seems to have everything.

THEMATIC OVERVIEW

You will notice that this study guide is different from our usual format. Rather than text-based exercises, we have created a set of videos.

In the first three videos – a series of makeup tutorials – we meet Candice, “the popular girl who seems to have everything,” and get a glimpse into her life and the world of the play. In the fourth video, we meet Anita Majumdar, the writer, choreographer and performer of Boys With Cars and learn more about what inspired her to create these plays in this particular style and how she sees theatre as a way to support empowerment. We suggest you use this video as a way to reflect on the previous three videos as well as the theatrical performance. The Discussion Questions below each video may also be used as a reflective tool after viewing.

We hope you and your students will enjoy engaging with the play in this innovative and theatrical way.

– Lois Adamson, Interim Artistic Associate, Education (YPT)

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

The Arts (Drama, Dance)
Health and Physical Education (Focus on Human Development and Sexual Health)
Social Sciences and Humanities (Focus on Healthy Relationships/Focus on Equity, Diversity and Social Justice)

CHARACTER EDUCATION CONNECTIONS

Respect
Integrity
Empathy
Responsibility

THEMES

Social Status and Power Dynamics
Navigating Unhealthy Relationships
Establishing Your Own Power

TRADITIONAL BINDI TUTORIAL

Discussion Questions

Why is it important to uphold or participate in cultural traditions?
Candice refers to celebrities as being the pioneers of the Bindi. In what ways do celebrities and fashion affect our perception of culture?
What is the difference between cultural exchange and cultural appropriation? How is the difference decided?
If you are not a member of a specific cultural group, is it ever appropriate to use those cultural symbols or practices in a way that they were not intended?

BEST RED LIPSTICK TECHNIQUE

Discussion Questions

How are female standards of beauty decided?
Candice says that girls wear makeup for other girls. Why do you think she is making this argument?
What is the male gaze? How does Buddy enact this?
Is it problematic if Candice wants to be seen as sexy?
What is the connection between sexuality and power for young women?

HOW TO CONTOUR YOUR NOSE

Discussion Questions

Where does Candice find her power?
How does the system of patriarchy affect Candice’s understanding of empowerment?
What is the connection between confidence and power?