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Drum Taps (Large Cast Version)

adapted by Lindsay Price from Walt Whitman

A theatrical adaptation of a selection of Walt Whitman's civil war poems. See the words, the war, the blood come to life.

About 35 minutes

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

20
6 M | 14 W

Simple Set

Drama Choral Work Classical Adaptation Experimental Form Issue-Based Movement-based Reader's Theatre

The poems in Drum Taps represent Walt Whitman's firsthand account of the Civil War. See the words, the emotion, the blood come to life in this theatrical adaptation. This is not your traditional readers theatre or poetry recital. This is flesh and bone words breathed to their fullest humanity. This is struggle and pain. This is confusion and contradiction. This is war.

This play is part of Drum Taps, a collection of 2 plays

Characters

20
6 Men, 14 Women

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.

The Poet [W] 5 lines lines
The Child [W] 10 lines lines
The One-Year Wife [W] 12 lines lines
The Lunatic [W] 18 lines lines
The School Teacher [W] 20 lines lines
The Factory Girl [W] 13 lines lines
The Beautiful Sister [W] 14 lines lines
The Widow [W] 20 lines lines
The Gypsy [W] 13 lines lines
The Seamstress [W] 10 lines lines
The Night Watch-man’s Daughter [W] 14 lines lines
The Immigrant [W] 15 lines lines
The Pioneer [W] 14 lines lines
The Actress [W] 16 lines lines
The Soldier [M] 18 lines lines
The Farmer [M] 18 lines lines
The Clerk [M] 18 lines lines
The Tramp [M] 18 lines lines
The Grave Digger [M] 11 lines lines
The Lawyer [M] 14 lines lines

Extra Characters

The Sailor, The Carpenter, The Blacksmith, The Deacon, The Fare-Collector, The Printer, The Prisoner, The Gentleman, The Artist, The Innkeeper, The Slave, The Father, The Camerado, The Mother, The Spinning Girl, The Nurse, The Maid, The Bride, The Young Sister, The Spinster, The Lady, The Governess, Mother of All, The Prostitute, The Matron, The Peddler

Subgenres: Adaptation Experimental form Historic Movement-based
Settings: Abstract setting 19th Century
Dress: Fantasy costumes Period costumes
Audience: Pre-teen Teen
Features: Mime Variable Cast Size Poetry Tableau Readers Theatre Movement-based Music Special effects Sound & Lighting Design

Set: Simple set
Cautions: Gun shots Adult themes
Themes: Death Parenting/Family War Individuality Obedience
Other uses: Monologues

Prop List

Satchels or knapsacks for each character, several pieces of paper, notebook, bugle, drum, (instruments optional), bandages, lantern

Multimedia

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.