Backspace
by Lindsay Price
In this world writing is a struggle, a battle, a war. Backspace explores personification and characterization like no other play.
Average Producer Rating:
About 30 minutes
Times given are approximate and do not include intermissions/scene changes/breaks
23
2 M | 6 W | 15 Any Gender
Simple set
38 pages
Reviews from Past Producers
“Being a writer is not for the faint of heart.
Not for the weak. Things get bloody.”
In the world of Backspace, writing is a struggle, a battle, a war. Writers go off to the front lines to fight Ideas who resist at every turn. They stare at the Blank Page and must stand strong when she starts talking back. They look for anything and everything to move their writing forward.
The front is littered with writers who have given up. Will our four young writers face the same fate? Every word is another word closer to Victory!
An excellent theatrical experience for any cast or any class. The play explores personification in a unique and vivid manner. Where else can you bring a typewriter to life?
Characters
23
2 Men, 6 Women, 15 Any Gender
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.
Characters
-
Fresh
[W]
42 lines
- Writer just starting out.
-
Rook
[W]
34 lines
- Writer just starting out.
-
Fledge
[M]
53 lines
- Writer just starting out.
-
Tyro
[M]
41 lines
- Writer just starting out.
-
The Blank Page
[W]
9 lines
- The personification of writer’s block, the one who fills your headwith doubt.
-
Lady Aid
[W]
13 lines
- Lady of the Auxiliary who is fascinated by writers, tea, and crochet.
-
Lady Charity
[W]
10 lines
- Lady of the Auxiliary who is fascinated by writers, tea, and crochet.
-
Novata
[W]
8 lines
- A representative of the next round of writers just starting out.
- Raw Ideas (all) [A]
- Amoebic, whispering, clawed figures. Aside from the group there are three specific ideas: Whisp, Germ, and Bead. Chorus of lines
The Typewriter (all)
Character Typewriter Part
-
RC
[A]
22 lines
- Commander of the Carriage (the machine as a whole)
-
2ND
[A]
54 lines
- Carriage Release
-
F-REN
[A]
15 lines
- Feed Ribbon
-
HAMM
[A]
20 lines
- Type Hammer
-
TB
[A]
12 lines
- Type Bar
-
PEG
[A]
13 lines
- Type Guide
-
SHIFT
[A]
42 lines
- Shift Key
-
CAPS
[A]
17 lines
- Caps Key
-
SPACE
[A]
15 lines
- Space Bar
-
TAB
[A]
23 lines
- Tab Key
-
APOSTRO
[A]
15 lines
- Apostrophe Key
-
A, Y, B, M, J
[A]
30, 20, 19, 19, 16 lines
- Individual Letter Keys
- Subgenres
- Fantasy Avant-garde Movement-based
- Settings
- Abstract setting Present day
- Dress
- Elaborate costumes Fantasy costumes Simple costumes
- Audience
- All audiences Pre-teen Teen
- Features
- Mime Variable Cast Size Tableau Choral work Movement-based Variable gender breakdown Ensemble
- Set
- Simple set
- Themes
- Self-image Technology Theatre
- Cross-Curricular Uses
- Technology
- Other uses
- Competition Monologues Scene work Audition material Class work
Prop List
cups of tea, cookies (could be mimed)
Related Titles
Purchase Orders accepted from US and Canadian Schools.
Info for your purchasing department.
All others must pay at the time of ordering.
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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.
Backspace
by Lindsay Price
About 30 minutes
Times given are approximate and do not include intermissions/scene changes/breaks
23
2 M | 6 W | 15 Any Gender
Simple set
38 pages