Pick a stage direction from Lydia Diamond’s “Harriet Jacobs” that shows how a certain character should be feeling. Consider its meaning; how does it change our view of the play, Harriet’s story, and/or the overarching themes of the play?
Also consider it through the lens of Sandra Richards’ article “Writing the Absent Potential.” Do you agree with Diamond’s direction, or do you think that leaving emotional directions in the script absent or more open-ended would better in this specific performance? Why?