Backspace by Lindsay Price - Theatrefolk

Backspace

Recommended for High Schools

Backspace

by Lindsay Price

In this world writing is a struggle, a battle, a war. Backspace explores personification and characterization like no other play.

 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

Drama Experimental Form Movement-based

Average Producer Rating:

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?

23 Characters
2 M, 6 W, 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

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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.

We accept orders worldwide using the following payment methods:
Purchase Orders accepted from US and Canadian Schools.
Info for your purchasing department.

A vignette play is a collection of short scenes on a theme. You'll love working with the variety and flexibility of the scenes. Your actors will love the fast pace and fun characters.

There's more. Every Theatrefolk vignette play holds the unexpected. A showcase monologue. A dramatic moment. A change in form. A left turn.

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