Ashland Falls
by Steven Stack
A school receives a mysterious script about a girl who died long ago. The director disappears. A new director arrives just in time and knows all about the story of the play. In fact, she seems to know it too well. And how did she get the dead girl’s ring?
Are the students of Herbert Hoover High too wrapped up in miscues, awful accents, and stolen boyfriends to notice? Revenge is coming. Who will pay the price when the real world and the play collide?
Each actor must play two vastly different roles in this spine-tingling comedy thriller. This easy to stage and intense theatrical experience will keep your audience on their edge of their seats. And the twist ending will make them question everything they've witnessed...
Average Producer Rating: 4.0 out of 5
Recommended for High Schools
At a Glance
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Performance Royalty Fees
Royalty fees apply to all performances whether or not admission is charged. Any performance in front of an audience (e.g. an invited dress rehearsal) is considered a performance for royalty purposes.
Exemption details for scenes and monologues for competition.
14 Characters
- 3 Males
- 11 Females
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.
Act 1
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Carrie Female 97 linesWell-liked, dating Aidan. Plays Ashley.
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Aidan Male 92 linesOften the leading man. Dating Carrie but there are rumors about him and Savannah. Plays Dalton.
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Savannah Female 70 linesTends to get leading roles. Rather full of herself. Has interest in Aidan. Plays Kaelyn.
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Heather Female 70 linesCarrie’s best friend. Makes constant jokes, typically at Savannah’s expense. Plays Leah.
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Gavin Male 72 linesReliable actor and person. Likes Alyssa but is unable to talk when she’s around. Plays Wynter.
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Alyssa Female 49 linesMost mature of the group. Has held the show together. Plays Liza.
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Morgan Female 57 linesA very hard worker but tends to stress out when she feels she isn’t measuring up. Plays Nara.
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Tony Male 59 linesDecent actor but would rather goof off. Plays Garrick.
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Ava Female 32 linesBelieves she is a better actor than she is. Considers herself a “method actor.” Plays Eleanor.
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Emily Female 42 linesFreshman. Friends with Payton and Lydia. Plays Elizabeth.
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Payton Female 47 linesFreshman. The not-so-bright friend of Lydia and Emily. Plays Tawnie.
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Lydia Female 18 linesFreshman. Best friends with Emily and Payton. Rather clumsy. Plays Vala.
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Laura Female 177 linesThe new director, who is from a small town in England. She replaced Mr. Beasley after he mysteriously disappeared.
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ASHLEY (ghost) Female 17 linesThe ghost of Ashley Donovan.
Act 2
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Leah Female 61 linesOlder sister of Ashley and Vala, seeking revenge for Ashley’s death.
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Ashley (as played by Carrie) Female 17 linesWas hoping to marry Dalton until she died under mysterious circumstances.
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Kaelyn Female 47 linesDaughter of Nara Worthington, Ashley’s friend, secretly in love with Dalton.
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Nara Female 41 linesThe very rich and snobbish mother of Kaelyn.
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Garrick Male 11 linesLoyal butler of the Worthingtons.
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Dalton Male 81 linesWas planning to propose to Ashley but never had the chance. Is now going to marry Kaelyn.
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Wynter Male 76 linesDalton’s friend, who is not supportive of Dalton’s desire to marry Ashley. Has feelings for Liza.
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Vala Female 44 linesYoungest sister of Leah and Ashley. Works as a maid for Nara. Developed a stuttering problem after Ashley’s death.
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Liza Female 65 linesFriend of Leah, Wynter, and Dalton. Rumored to practice witchcraft.
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Elizabeth Female 16 linesFriend of Kaelyn and Elizabeth, who overestimates her own importance.
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Tawnie Female 9 linesFriend of Kaelyn and Elizabeth, who appears dim-witted.
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Eleanor Female 29 linesMother of Leah, Ashley, and Vala. Currently in an asylum.
Praise for Ashland Falls
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From the Drama Teacher Learning Centre
October Reading List: Plays for Halloween
Creeptastic Plays and Macabre Musicals for Fall
Theatrefolk Featured Play – Ashland Falls by Steven Stack
A Fabulous Theatre Fundraiser
Theatrefolk’s Top 10: Recommended High School Plays
Theatrefolk Featured Play: Horror Movie 101: Failing Can Be Deadly by Steven Stack
A Gender conversation….and Pirates: Creating a safe enviroment for youth in your theatre program
Theatrefolk Podcast: Tips and Tricks for Directing Youth with Steven Stack
Playwright Dara Murphy
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Ashland Falls Sample Excerpt
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