Chaired by Christian Kiley - Theatrefolk

The Art of Rejection: Two One Act Plays

Recommended for High Schools

Chaired

by Christian Kiley

Potential sits centre stage in a chair. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is just stand up...

 About 20 minutes

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

 13
13 Any Gender

Simple Set

Comedy Black Comedy Character Study Experimental Form Issue-Based

Potential sits centre stage in a chair. At times Potential is forced to remain seated by family, teachers and friends. At other times Potential will do anything not to stand. It's better to stay in place, not move, not reach out. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is just stand up…

This play is part of The Art of Rejection: Two One Act Plays, a collection of 2 plays
13 Characters
13 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.

Potential [A] 70 lines
Afraid to stand up.
Older Sibling [A] 11 lines
Bossy and controlling.
Teacher [A] 11 lines
Never gives Potential a chance.
Perfect [A] 5 lines
Can do no wrong.
Coach [A]
Doesn’t trust Potential.
Friend [A] 8 lines
Wants to help if it is convenient.
Critic [A] 6 lines
Disagrees with everything.
Panicked Person [A] 7 lines
Scared of everything.
Offstage Monster [A]
The monster’s voice. Assorted growls.
Offstage Voice [A] 5 lines
A bully with a short attention span.
Person in Need [A] 6 lines
Needs to make a “critical” phone call.
Motivator [A] 114 lines
A mediocre motivator.
Thought [A] 10 lines
The compassionate supporter.

Subgenres
Surrealist Avant-garde Experimental form Absurd

Settings
Abstract setting Present day

Dress
Contemporary costumes

Audience
Pre-teen Teen

Features
Gender neutral cast Character study Variable gender breakdown

Set
Simple set

Themes
Adolescence Bullying Parenting/Family Individuality Obedience Peer pressure Personal responsibility Relationships Self-image

Other uses
Competition Scene work Class work

Prop List

Teacher’s edition textbook, Whistle, Cell Phone

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.

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