Ibn Battuta: The One-Person Play

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

Ibn Battuta was a master storyteller.

In fact, most scholars believe he did not write the book, The Rihla, that is attributed to him. In all likelihood, he narrated his stories and recollections to a writer who put them to paper.

If you missed or need to review the previous lessons in our The Journey of Ibn Battuta series, find them in the right-hand sidebar under Related Lessons.

Your task in this lesson is to bring Ibn Battuta (the man) to life by creating a one-person play. One-person plays are a light but powerful way of presenting a character. They often focus on just one character and his or her experiences, so are ideal for highlighting this great figure from history!

First, let's take a look at an example of a one-person play. This is about the famous and beloved 19^th-century American writer, Mark Twain, author of Huckleberry Finn and other favorites. Watch the video, Citizen Twain starring Val Kilmer, at the Ryman Auditorium:

Now, reflect on the following questions and write:

• What was the purpose of the story Twain told in this short excerpt?
• What information or ideas do you get from the monologue about Twain's personal character?
• What kind of story would Ibn Battuta tell if he were the subject of a one-person play like this?

In the Got It? section, you will revisit The Rihla at least one more time to collect information about Ibn Battuta — the historical figure and the character — to prepare for your theatrical debut!