Final answer:
Without specific stage directions, it's challenging to determine if they contribute to a frustrated tone, confident mood, sense of optimism, or discouraged feeling. Actors' intentions toward a character's belief in a positive outcome heavily influence the tone communicated in a performance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question at hand addresses the role of stage directions in establishing the tone or feeling in a story. When actors are preparing for a performance, even if they are aware of an impending unsuccessful outcome, their portrayal must still lean into the character's belief in a positive future. Thus, the answer to what a stage direction most contributes to the scene would inherently depend on the specific stage direction given. Without that detail, it is challenging to accurately assess whether it contributes to a frustrated tone, confident mood, sense of optimism, or a discouraged feeling. Examples from a text highlighting different tones reveal how certain word choices, such as 'joyful' or 'unhappy', can distinctly alter the reception of a scene. Moreover, the consideration that an actor should focus on outwardly attuned reactions suggests that stage directions also play a crucial role in informing the actor how to shape their character's presentation.