Recently the Dramatists Guild sent out a challenge to members to write a microplay, which is 150 words. Yep, 150, that's it! Here's the challenge:
The Coronavirus Play Project
Please
write a rapid-response two character microplay, that is no more than
150 words max. (No monologues or solo plays please.) The play should
address how you are feeling right now, living in this turbulent moment.
Or, if you are looking for a bit of hope, you might want to write a love
letter to our artistic community. Or, you might want to imagine what
our future is going to look like. Or, you might want to vent. Or, you
might want to explore some big questions with which you've been
grappling right now. Or, you must just want to write something silly or
funny. Whatever you want to write about. There are no rules and there is
no specific theme. This opportunity is open to anyone around the world who wants to participate.
You
should write a play that any two humans can pick up, read, and be
successful in, regardless of sex, gender, age, race, or culture, or
physical ability. If we do a final project, we’re going to have unknown
community participants, who’ll be signing up to be actors for this on
the fly. We aim to include as many people as we can. There will be no
casting process. We hope to avoid offensive representations with
inappropriately cast community readers, regardless of the shape of the
final project. The more general the casting needs are, the more
inclusive we can be of our readers.
I loved this challenge and wrote a new play, "Valued Passengers." Some actors and I are trying to figure out how to film the script from our own safe places. Stay tuned for the final product! For now, here's the script for "Valued Passengers."
VALUED
PASSENGERS
By Candace
Perry
Characters:
J, business traveler and B, airline representative
J: But I have
a ticket!
B: With a
defunct corporation. Please move to one
side. (to unseen other passengers) Welcome
aboard…thanks for flying with us…welcome.
J: A first
class ticket!
B: (to another passenger) Glad you could
make it…Sorry you missed the birth, but six months is a great age…thanks for
understanding.
J: You’re
bumping me for a grandmother! She can
FaceTime with the kid!
B: Don’t
you follow the news? First time, in person contact with a beloved is highest
priority now. Then life-changing events, volunteer services, medical
emergencies and high school play-off games.
J: I’m a
Diamond Platinum Frequent Flyer!
B: Uh oh.
That carbon footprint gives you lowest priority.
J: Lives
depend on this very, very important meeting!
B: Medical
business?
J: Essential
business!
B: Life
enhancing?
J: Cutting
edge. Fracking.
B: Not even
on the wing!
THE END
