OLEANNA by David Mamet

Oleanna is a two character play, about a professor, John, who struggles with a female student, Carol, who excuses him of sexual exploitation. The play's title, was taken from a folk song, which refers to a 19th century escapist vision of Utopia.

• The play premiered in May 1992 as Mamet's first production at the Back Bay Theater Company in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
• It also appeared off-Broadway in New York City's Orpheum Theatre.
• It premiered in London in 1993 at the Royal Court Theatre.
• A 2004 production in London at the Garrick Theatre featured Aaron Eckhart and Julia Stiles.
• Julia Stiles reprised the role of Carol in a 2009 production and on June 30, 2009 it transferred to Broadway's John Golden Theatre.
• Due to poor ticket sales, it closed December 6, 2009 with 65 performances and 12 reviews.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you believe that the tests (ex. standardized test) are designed to discredit students?

2. Do you agree with John when he says that education is "prolonged and systematic hazing"?

3. Was Carol right to claim John as a sexist or was she overreacting?

4. Do you think Carol was putting on an act in Act I(about her not understanding the concepts) versus later on in the play where she spoke fluently about John's flaws as an educator?

5. Was Carol writing the letter to the Tenure committee about John an act of revenge? What are her motives?

6. What does Carol want from John? What does she want him to understand about this incident? What is she trying to prove?

7. Why does Carol tell John not to call his wife "baby"?