Carrying the Calf by Shirley Barrie - Theatrefolk

Carrying the Calf

Recommended for High Schools

Carrying the Calf

by Shirley Barrie

A teenager fed-up with being bullied drags her reluctant friend to a self-defence class.

 About 54 minutes

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

 4
4 W

Simple Set

 35 pages

Drama Character Study Movement-based

Excellent showcase roles for actresses.

A teenager fed-up with being bullied drags her reluctant friend to a self-defence class. More important than the karate training, the instructor challenges the group to find self-confidence, independence, and to choose their own destiny.

The scenes are linked by katas: the strictly choreographed, powerful sequences of movements that are a central part of karate.

4 Characters
4 W
INDIRA [W] 170 lines
16, of South Asian extraction, has lived in Canada from the age of 5.
SHARON [W] 199 lines
16, born in Canada of West Indian parents.
ANN [W] 117 lines
Pushing 40, white, divorced mother of 4.
FIROZA M [W] 149 lines
Mid-late 20's, originally Ugandan of South Asian extraction, university educated.

Awards and Accolades

  • DORA Award for outstanding theatre for young audiences
  • Chalmer's Award winner

Settings
Present day

Dress
Contemporary costumes

Audience
Pre-teen Teen

Features
Multicultural cast All female cast Character study Movement-based Physical comedy Stage combat

Set
Simple set Interior set

Cautions
Adult themes

Themes
Adolescence Bullying Friendship Parenting/Family Religion Divorce Women's issues Individuality Obedience Peer pressure Personal responsibility Relationships Self-image Sexual abuse

Other uses
Monologues Scene work Audition material

Awards & Accolades
Plays with Awards & Accolades

Prop List

damaged dress shoe (loose heel), running shoes, bag, bag of chips

Multimedia
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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.

Related Titles

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.

Ideal for classwork, competitions, and more!

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