Do you think I'm going to watch you work while I play with my art?
play with是“拿……玩”的意思，即doing sth. for pleasure。这个短语非常有用，而且译成中文后意思非常灵活。
I like to play with children. 我喜欢和孩子们玩。
Don't play sports in the road. 不要在路上进行体育活动。
Don't play with me. 别耍我了。
The boy was playing with the kitten. 那个男孩在逗小猫玩。
It is dangerous to play with fire. 玩火很危险。
The little boy was playing with his food. 那个小男孩在胡乱摆弄自己的食物。（意思是“他不想吃饭”）
I hate playing with words. 我讨厌玩弄词藻。
It is wrong for him to play with the girl's affections. 他玩弄那女孩的情感是不道德的。

NOTES TO THE DIALOGUE

How did you like the performances?
How did you like ... ? 你认为……怎么样？其中did表示客气地询问，并不表示过去时。
询问别人的看法，英语更常用的表达方式是：What do you think of... 你认为……怎么样？例如：
What do you think of the film? 你认为这部影片怎么样？
What do you think of the English teaching program? 你认为这个英语教学节目怎么样？

How about the play put on by Class Six?
how about也是征求别人意见时的表达方法，有时也用What about...，例如：
How about the weather? 天气怎么样？
How about watching TV tonight? 今天晚上看电视怎么样？
What about going for a walk? 出去散散步好吗？
What about having tea together? 一块儿喝茶好吗？