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Speckled Birds

  • Shirley Lauro
  • Full Length Play, Drama, Present Day, Contemporary, New Millennium/21st Century
  • 2M, 4F
  • ISBN: 9780573698002

A play about growing up in our "have and have-not" society, and discovering what "family" really is.

More information

Description

  • Full Length Play
  • Drama

  • Time Period: Present Day, Contemporary, New Millennium/21st Century
  • Target Audience: Adult
  • Set Requirements: Unit Set/Multiple Settings

  • Performance Group:
  • College Theatre / Student, Professional Theatre
A play about growing up in our "have and have-not" society, and discovering what "family" really is. Though Angie, an adolescent, lives in a wealthy town, she is poor. Deserted at birth by her mother, her father killed in War, she lives in a trailer with her ailing but loving Grandma. Though a gifted athlete, Angie's afraid to compete at her preppie school, feeling she's "Trailer Trash".

While terrified a disliked aunt will soon take her away to live with her and put Grandma in a Facility, Angie meets a boy, Theo, at school. Brilliant, wealthy but an awkward loner, Theo's parents have no time for him and schoolmates taunt him, his only friends being his computer and his bird.

Finally as Angie and Theo form a unique bond as soulmates, they gain the courage to begin their journeys toward adulthood...resolving family problems, and taking actions to utilize their talents at school.

Premiere Production: Speckled Birds premiered at Open Eye Theater in Margaretville, NY in May 2003 under the direction of Sharone Stacy.

Characters

  • Casting: 2M, 4F
  • Casting Attributes: Parts for Senior Actors
  • Casting Notes: It is possible that the character of Angie could be played by an actress of an ethnicity other than White.

  • ANGIE (EVANGELINE) - A country girl. Somewhat naive. 14. Freshman in high school. Tall, lanky, athletic build but with long, lovely hair, a soulful, beautiful face with a courageous soul. She wears make-shift athletic, then too big jeans and shirt, with her shirt-tail hanging out and later, good athletic clothes. White (see casting note).

  • THEO - A little older than Angie. Awkward, clumsy, ungainly in some way. Can be very tall, thin, or heavy. Teasing nicknames can be "TEDDY BEAR" or "TEDDY TWIG," etc., depending on his physical demeanor. Brilliant computer "nerd." Great heart and sense of humor but painfully shy and needy. White.

  • GRANDMA - 70ish. Strong featured, Appalachian woman descended from generations of coal miners. A woman who's come through hard times and survived. Likeable, wise, tough and strong as bespeaks her heritage -- but aging now. White.

  • DAD - 30ish. His spirit appears in play as Angie remembers him when he went to War: a strong, warm hearted father and a genuine Appalachian man in a camouflage War uniform. White.

  • CLARICE - Late 30s. Wears what she thinks are extremely attractive clothes that show her off, although she's a little too plump, and they don't. Hostess of the Crystal Cafe, where she wears black short dress, frilly white apron, very high heels. Angie's aunt by marriage. Calls it as she sees it, but doesn't see it. Or calls it -- because she is a kind of a "Knoxville Mrs. Malaprop" -- misusing and mispronouncing words. But thinks her syntax and vocabulary are great. Clarice is also lonely and stuck in her life and needy of love. She is trying to overcome this. Somehow. White.

  • MISS DUVAL - Middle-aged woman (No male substitution, if possible). Suit, glasses. Projects a sweet naivete, coupled with a prissy "I'm only here to help and I am right, good, wonderful" quality. Underneath, she wants to hang onto her job and turf above all, and is desperate that there be no cause trouble, scandal, or suspicion anywhere near her. White.

    • Available Material

    Name Price
    Speckled Birds Script Order Now

    A play about growing up in our 'have and have-not' society, and discovering what 'family' really is. Though Angie, an adolescent, lives in a wealthy town, she is poor. Deserted at birth by her mother, her father killed in War, she lives in a trailer with her ailing but loving Grandma. Though a gifted athlete, Angie's afraid to compete at her preppie school, feeling she's 'Trailer Trash'. While terrified a disliked aunt will soon take her away to live with her and put Grandma in a Facility, Angie meets a boy, Theo, at school. Brilliant, wealthy but an awkward loner, Theo's parents have no time for him and schoolmates taunt him, his only friends being his computer and his bird. Finally as Angie and Theo form a unique bond as soulmates, they gain the courage to begin their journeys toward adulthood...resolving family problems, and taking actions to utilize their talents at school.

    		$24.95

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