Life, Off Book by Scott Giessler - Theatrefolk

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Life, Off Book

Recommended for High Schools

Life, Off Book

by Scott Giessler

What happens when Ophelia and Jeb have to tear themselves away from the script and live life off book?

 About 35 minutes

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

 18
5 M | 3 W | 10 Any Gender, Plus ensemble

Simple set

 33 pages

Drama Character Study Movement-based

Ophelia and Jeb have a relationship that's like a well-built theatre set. It looks great on the outside, but an empty shell on the inside. Ophelia is a phenomenal dancer and actress who's constantly afraid. Jeb is Ophelia’s mild mannered fake boyfriend who is also a closeted gay man. What happens when they have to tear themselves away from the script and live life off book?

This show has flexible cast with great opportunities for ensemble work, dancers and musicians. Don't have those? It can also be performed minimally.

18 Characters
5 M, 3 W, 10 Any Gender, Plus ensemble
Ophelia [W] 110 lines
A phenomenal dancer and actress with poor social skills.
Jeb [M] 82 lines
Ophelia’s mild mannered fake boyfriend. Pianist who is a closeted gay man.
Mac [M] 36 lines
Jeb’s significant other who is already out of the closet. Also a pianist.
Jude [M] 34 lines
A teen on forearm crutches who has feelings for Ophelia.
Director [A] 36 lines
A figment of Ophelia’s imagination who helps guide her actions.
Conductor [A] 8 lines
The high school music teacher.
Cyrus [M] 5 lines
A bad actor who defies all acting rules.
Kelly [M] 4 lines
A “rough around the edges” student.
Abby [W] 3 lines
Student in dance class.
Ali [W] 3 lines
Student listening to Jeb play.
Narrators (These are some of the high school students that populate their world.)
JOEY/JOIE [A] 22 lines
Other half of Garrison; intelligent and refined.
Garrison/Gabby [A] 21 lines
Other half of Joie; intelligent and refined.
George/Gwyn [A] 11 lines
The dry-witted narrator, with low tolerance for nonsense.
Emerson/Emily [A] 22 lines
The inner voice of the characters.
Mike/Mikayla [A] 23 lines
The upbeat, on the bright side, mediator between the narrators.
Gavin/Gracie [A] 10 lines
A rambunctious, energetic, young, individual.
Julian/Julia [A] 15 lines
A self-righteous “cool kid” who is clever with his words.
Mark/Marianna [A] 8 lines
An intelligent introvert with a particular interest in astronomy and physics.

Subgenres
Backstage comedy Character study

Settings
Present day

Dress
Contemporary costumes

Audience
Teen

Features
Dance Character study Movement-based Music Variable gender breakdown SEL

Set
Simple set Interior set

Themes
Adolescence Friendship Disability Gender issues Relationships Self-image Theatre

Other uses
Competition Monologues Class work

Prop List

Chalkboard with diagram, forearm crutches, phones, backpacks, envelopes containing notes, notebook, script

Multimedia

Life Off Book Sheet Music (p. 0)
Life Off Book Choreography Notes (p. 0)

Video

Choreography Sample - p.6

Choreography Sample - p.24

Choreography Sample - p.32
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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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