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
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.
Characters
18
5 Men, 3 Women, 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
- 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)
| Sheet Music |
Life Off Book Choreography Notes (p. 0)
| Sheet Music |
Video
Choreography Sample - p.6
Choreography Sample - p.24
Choreography Sample - p.32
Related Titles
Purchase Orders accepted from US and Canadian Schools.
Info for your purchasing department.
All others must pay at the time of ordering.
Not sure what you need to order? Check out our pricing and ordering guide.
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.
Life, Off Book
by Scott Giessler
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