Identity Doorways

Instructions

The characters in Fake It Until You Make It have some identity factors that they show, some that they hide, and some that they just plain make up. We see one thing when we first meet them, but as they open up throughout the show, much more is revealed–much like a door. 

What part of your identities do you show to the world and which ones do you keep to yourself? Which identities do you have a choice about showing, and which ones are impossible to hide? Are there elements of your identity you wish more people knew about? This project will let you reflect on the many factors that contribute to your individuality and create a visual representation of your identity. Let’s begin!

Download this activity   Download Reflection Worksheet

First, Make a Door

1. Turn your envelope so that the open side is facing you, and the tab is on the back side of the envelope. 
2. Starting at the bottom of the envelope, cut a line up the right side of the envelope, leaving about an inch of paper between the cut and the right edge. Stop an inch before you reach the top. 
3. Make another cut at a ninety degree angle across the top of your envelope, stopping about an inch before you reach the left side. This is your door. 
4. Crease the paper on the left side to create the hinge of the door.

Now that you've constucted the door, complete the reflection worksheet.

“Identity” is where we fall within a complex mix of roles, appearances, values and attributes that are present in our society. Complete the reflection worksheet to see how you identify in different categories.

Lastly, decorate your door

1. Once you have completed your reflections, decide which of your identities are the most visible to the outside world. Artistically represent these identities on the outside of your door. You can be literal (drawing an American flag, for example) or you can be abstract (a cactus sticker because you appear “prickly” for example).
2. Once the outside is complete, turn to the inside of your door. This side should represent the identity factors that are less visible or invisible to the outside world, but that are important to you. Again, this can be literal or abstract. 
3. For both sides, feel free to use colors, collage, stickers, doodles, quotes, small objects, or whatever feels right for your personality!

About the Show

A bold world premiere comedy from Los Angeles-based playwright, Larissa FastHorse, about being whoever you want to be, even when it’s not who you are. A member of the Sicangu Lakota Nation, and author of the Broadway comedy, The Thanksgiving Play, FastHorse’s new work shines a hilarious light on ‘shifters’ who exist in a world of self-determined identity. This thought-provoking comic play asks what happens when you don’t believe you are the race you want to be? Change it! Fake It Until You Make It takes an absurd look at what defines who we are, and the lengths some people will go through to change it.

As you watch the show

As you watch Fake It Until You Make It, reflect on the ways that the identities of the characters govern the way that they perceive themselves and treat the other characters in the show. Which of your own identities do you tend to think about, and which do you tend to take for granted? Which identities do you tend to pay attention to in others?

Details

This companion activity can be done before or after seeing the production and utilizes materials you probably have in your home or classroom. We invite families, educators, and other audience members to use or adapt these activities, which were created for Center Theatre Group by Resident Teaching Artists Christine Breihan and Estela Garcia. You can find a companion activity on the show pages for all productions in our 2024/2025 season.