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Drum Taps (Small 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

5
2 M | 3 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

5
2 Men, 3 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.

LIZBETH [W] 63 lines
ALICE [W] 61 lines
MEG [W] 66 lines
THOMAS [M] 53 lines
HENRY [M] 47 lines

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.