Almost History: that whole space time continuum thing... - Theatrefolk

Almost History: that whole space time continuum thing

Recommended for High Schools and Middle Schools

Almost History: that whole space time continuum thing

by Treanor Baring

A Reporter and a Sidekick livestream from great moments in American history.

 About 60 minutes

Times given are approximate and do not include intermissions/scene changes/breaks

 13
13 Any Gender, Expandable to 37

Simple set

Comedy

Average Producer Rating:

Reviews from Past Producers

In a hilarious series of time-travelling misadventures, a Reporter and a Sidekick livestream from great moments in American history.

Despite the über-scientist Sidekick’s best efforts to keep the clueless Reporter out of trouble, they change the course of history and return to a comically chaotic present. Even Einstein and Marie Curie cannot undo the disastrous effects of their mishaps.

Eventually, they are able to save democracy and technology by restoring order to the "whole space-time continuum thing."

Click here to read production tips for this play.

13 Characters
13 Any Gender, Expandable to 37

Characters in this play are currently identified as male or female. Directors are welcome to assign any gender (binary or non-binary) to any character and modify pronouns accordingly.

MEDIA MIKE [A] 19 lines
Larger-than-life celebrity talk show host. Flashy, loud and prone to exaggeration. Totally over the top.
SANDRA [A] 103 lines
Television investigative reporter interested in getting a scoop and having a hit show, excitable and energetic.
MELVIN [A] 91 lines
Total science nerd…I mean dude…introverted, but confident.
CODY [A] 29 lines
ypical teenagers, nonchalant and blasé, they don’t want to learn anything they don’t have to.
JESS [A] 25 lines
Typical teenagers, nonchalant and blasé, they don’t want to learn anything they don’t have to.
ASSISTANT PRODUCER [A] 11 lines
Ambitious, outgoing and hyper television assistant producer.
PRODUCER [A] 33 lines
Behind-the-scenes boss of the television production company. Matter-of-fact and efficient.
LA PINTA NAVIGATOR [A] 27 lines
The most important person on Columbus’s ship besides the captain. Of noble birth, well educated and proud, a snob.
THOMAS JEFFERSON [A] 6 lines
You all know who THOMAS JEFFERSON is, right? Proud, arrogant and a little childish.
BEN FRANKLIN [A] 5 lines
The oldest of the founding fathers, and won’t let anyone forget it.
JOHN ADAMS [A] 6 lines
Again, you probably know a lot about John Adams. Short, bald, ornery.
ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL [A] 3 lines
The inventor himself.
THOMAS WATSON [A] 4 lines
Assistant to Bell. A perfect gentleman.
MICHAEL COLLINS [A] 3 lines
Astronaut from the 1960s. Never walked on the moon. Still important!
NEIL ARMSTRONG [A] 10 lines
First man on the moon.
BUZZ ALDRIN [A] 2 lines
Second man on the moon. Still quite the achievement!
COMMAND CONTROL [A] 3 lines
NASA engineer back on earth.
PYTHAGORAS [A] 5 lines
Mathematical genius with a theorem named after him.
EINSTEIN [A] 4 lines
Mathematical genius with a lot to say about general relativity.
MARIE CURIE [A] 4 lines
Scientist, two time Nobel winner. A glowing personality.
MARY SHELLEY [A] 2 lines
Author of Frankenstein. Knows better than anyone that Frankenstein was the scientist, not the monster.
MS. WOOD [A] 8 lines
The brilliant 8th grade history teacher who saves the day.
MS. SMETEK [A] 3 lines
The beautiful English teacher everyone adores.
HEAD OF IMPERIAL GUARDS [A] 0 lines
Soviet soldier
FANS 1,2,3 [A] 4,3,3 lines
Fawning middle school students. Aspiring rappers.
CHORUS (4-7)
Media Mike audience, Television crew, La Pinta shipmates, Congressional congress, Imperial guards

Subgenres
Adventure Science fiction Historic

Settings
15th Century 18th Century 19th Century 1960s Present day

Dress
Period costumes

Audience
All audiences Children Pre-teen Teen

Features
Mime Stage combat Variable Cast Size Poetry Time travel Physical comedy Music Sound & Lighting Design Special effects

Set
Simple set Multiple sets Opportunity for spectacle

Themes
Technology Memory Personal responsibility

Cross-Curricular Uses
History Technology English Science

Other uses
Class work Competition Scene work

Prop List

smartphones or tablets, small video recorder, auxiliary sound recording system, wires, meters, microphone, batteries, backpack or duffel bag, graphing calculator, spyglass, compass, microphone, pieces of wood, microphone, scroll, quill pen, inkwell, early telephone, duffel bag with gear, recording device, bottles, cameras, chess set, whiteboard on easel, coloured liquids in beakers, chemistry set, books, notepad, receipt, coffees in tray, sugar packets, wooden stirring sticks, trench coats, wigs or hats, mustaches, crumpled papers

Production Photos

Multimedia

Video

Trailer
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