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Commence by Christian Kiley play script cover

Commence

by Christian Kiley

A group of students have an online meeting with their principal while they’re all under quarantine. They want to regain normalcy and recoup what they’ve lost as seniors: prom, school play, graduation. But nothing is normal. Everyone is losing things. It’s a scary and uncertain time, like a fire has destroyed memories that haven’t happened yet.

This play is intended to be performed in a video conference call or meeting. It is specifically geared toward actors who are not in the same physical space.

Drama Issue-Based

Average Producer Rating: 5.0 out of 5

Recommended for High Schools

At a Glance

Running Time
About 15 minutes
Approximate; excludes intermissions and scene changes
Cast
11 Characters
1 M1 F9 Any Gender
Set
Online Performance
Production Tips
Read production tips for this play
Free Excerpt

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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.

11 Characters

1 M, 1 F, 9 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.

Student #1 [F] 31 lines
Arranged the meeting with the principal.
Student #2 [A] 25 lines
A good-hearted class clown.
Student #3 [A] 25 lines
A speech and debate champ and future lawyer.
Student #4 [A] 9 lines
A student athlete.
Student #5 [A] 8 lines
A earnest promoter of school spirit.
Student #6 [A] 9 lines
In a romantic relationship with Student #7.
Student #7 [A] 8 lines
In a romantic relationship with Student #6.
Student #8 [A] 7 lines
A student actor.
Student #9 [A] 31 lines
A perceived troublemaker.
Student #10 [A] 5 lines
A student who appreciates the everyday moments that have been lost.
The Principal [M] 35 lines
A man who wants to do the best he can by his students.

Praise for Commence

5 out of 5 stars
Monica Andrews
Monarch High School
This was such a relevant and poignant show. My students had a great time working on it and our audiences had wonderful feedback about how much it meant to hear the topics discussed in an entertaining and honest way.
5 out of 5 stars
Jennifer Davies
CHHS
This was a really perfect play for our group of seniors this year. It is a very heartfelt play and something my class loved.

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From the Drama Teacher Learning Centre

Selecting Scripts Featured Plays

Theatrefolk Featured Play – Commence by Christian Kiley

Welcome to our Featured Play Spotlight. Commence by Christian Kiley is a gift to the Class of 2020. It is intended to be performed in a video conference call or meeting, and is specifically geared...
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