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Elephant's Graveyard (One-Act Version)

  • George Brant
  • Short Play, Drama, 1910s / WWI
  • 10M, 3F
  • ISBN: 9780573698378

"The script is, like the best art, microscopically specific with echoes that radiate outward across time. Elephant's Graveyard buzzes with truth about the consequences of misunderstanding, the invisible but enormous gap between artists and their audiences, and the infernal beauty of vaudeville."

The Stranger, Seattle

More information

Description

  • Short Play
  • Drama
  • 40 minutes

  • Time Period: 1910s / WWI
  • Target Audience: Pre-Teen (Age 11 - 13), Teen (Age 14 - 18), Adult, Senior
  • Set Requirements: Unit Set/Multiple Settings, Bare Stage/Simple Set
  • Cautions: Alcohol, Mild Adult Themes

  • Performance Group:
  • High School/Secondary

  • Accolades:
  • Winner! 2008 Keene Prize for Literature
    Winner! 2008 David Mark Cohen National Playwriting Award
Elephant's Graveyard is the true tale of the tragic collision of a struggling circus and a tiny town in Tennessee, which resulted in the only known lynching of an elephant. Set in September of 1916, the play combines historical fact and legend, exploring the deep-seated American craving for spectacle, violence and revenge.

This abridged version, which runs about 40 minutes in length, is perfect for high schools looking to perform the play at theatre competitions or for producers looking for a shorter version of the original script. Adapted by the author, it maintains the haunting drama of the award-winning full length play.
REVIEWS:

"A theatrical masterpiece."

Columbia City Paper

"The most striking production in the (NSDF) festival."

Times of London

"Deeply moving...has the audience in stitches at the open and tears at the close."

TheSunCoast.com

The script is, like the best art, microscopically specific with echoes that radiate outward across time. Elephant's Graveyard buzzes with truth about the consequences of misunderstanding, the invisible but enormous gap between artists and their audiences, and the infernal beauty of vaudeville.

The Stranger
Premiere Production: Elephant's Graveyard was first produced by the University of Texas at Austin at the Oscar Brockett Theatre in Austin, Texas on November 16, 2007. The performance was directed by Laura Kepley, with sets by Szu-Feng Chen, costumes by Jan McCauley,

Characters

  • Casting: 10M, 3F
  • Casting Attributes: Ensemble cast, Minority casting, Flexible casting, Room for Extras, Cross gender casting, Expandable casting, Color blind casting, Roles for Children
  • Casting Notes: Non-speaking musicians may be added to the production, particularly a Drummer and Guitarist. Roles may be played by any race or gender except when specified.

  • The Circus
    RINGMASTER - obsessed with the bottom line
    TRAINER - loves his work
    BALLET GIRL - a showgirl in control
    TOUR MANAGER - bit of a bully
    STRONGMAN - a proud muscleman from Europe's far-off shores
    CLOWN - a comedian with an inferiority complex
    DRUMMER - keeps the beat

  • The Town
    HUNGRY TOWNSPERSON - African-American, a steel-trap memory
    MARSHAL - keeps the peace
    MUDDY TOWNSPERSON - a haunted widow
    PREACHER - doggedly hopeful
    STEAM SHOVEL OPERATOR - looking for escape
    YOUNG TOWNSPERSON - excitable dreamer
    GUITARS/HARMONICA PLAYER - sets the rhythm

  • The Railroad
    ENGINEER - confident Time is on his side

    • Available Material

    Name Price
    Elephant's Graveyard (One-Act Version) Script Order Now

    Elephant's Graveyard is the true tale of the tragic collision of a struggling circus and a tiny town in Tennessee, which resulted in the only known lynching of an elephant. Set in September of 1916, the play combines historical fact and legend, exploring the deep-seated American craving for spectacle, violence and revenge.This abridged version, which runs about 40 minutes in length, is perfect for high schools looking to perform the play at theatre competitions or for producers looking for a shorter version of the original script. Adapted by the author, it maintains the haunting drama of the award-winning full length play.

    		$24.95

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