The Sandbox

The character of the Musician has no lines and almost no distinguishing attributes written into the text. What purpose do you think they serve in the play? Why do you think Albee specifies that it is preferable if the Musician is young?

Do you think that the play is meant to be a comedy? Why or why not? What elements did you find funny? What wasn’t funny?

Read Albee’s companion piece to this play, The American Dream (1959). How does that play inform your interpretation of this one? What do you learn about the characters? Do you think the two plays ought to be presented together? Why or why not?

How would you characterize the relationships between the family members in the play? What commentary do you think the play might be making about American families?

In the subtitle of The Sandbox, Edward Albee dedicated the play to the memory of his late grandmother, suggesting that the play has autobiographical elements. Research Albee’s life. How do you think his family and childhood experiences influenced the events and characters in the play?

What do you think is the significance of the sandbox? Why is it the title of the play and why do you think the play specifies a sandbox when the setting is supposed to be the beach?

How does the play comment on aging and death? What do you think you are supposed to learn or think about?

What are some elements and moments in the play that are meta-theatrical? What purpose do you think those things serve and how do you think they would affect an audience’s experience of the play?