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Passing Period Purgatory by Christian Kiley play script cover

Passing Period Purgatory

by Christian Kiley

Sometimes the hardest part of school is getting from one class to the next. No one wants to make eye contact. No one wants to reach out when they see others in need. It’s toxic out there in the hallway of purgatory.

So what do we do? How can we look after others if we can’t even look after ourselves? You might be late for class, but you’re on time for the meaningful change that’s going to take place.

Are you willing to stand up?

Drama

Average Producer Rating: 4.0 out of 5

Recommended for High Schools

At a Glance

Running Time
About 25 minutes
Approximate; excludes intermissions and scene changes
Cast
16 Characters
15 Any Gender 1 Non-Binary
Set
Simple set
Length
26 pages
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.

16 Characters

  • 15 Any Gender
  • 1 Non-Binary

Directors are welcome to assign any gender (binary or non-binary) to any character and modify pronouns accordingly.

  • NEWEL Any gender 41 lines
    A new student (Non-Toxic)
  • UNIFORM Any gender 30 lines
    Attempting to blend in but not accepted into the cool crowd (Non-Toxic)
  • QUIN 25 lines
    Non-binary. Trying to be their truest-self (Non-Toxic)
  • INVISIBLE Any gender 19 lines
    Everyone ignores them (Non-Toxic)
  • SERENE Any gender 7 lines
    Holding onto a balloon of hope (Non-Toxic)
  • HERO Any gender 12 lines
    Dresses as a superhero and does their best to defend others (Non-Toxic)
  • FASHION Any gender 6 lines
    Dresses with unique style (Non-Toxic)
  • PROCTOR Any gender 21 lines
    An adult supervisor
  • TOXIC 1 Any gender 29 lines
    A conventionally popular student who blends in with the crowd
  • TOXIC 2 Any gender 15 lines
    A conventionally popular student who blends in with the crowd
  • TOXIC 3 Any gender 12 lines
    A conventionally popular student who blends in with the crowd
  • TOXIC 4 Any gender 13 lines
    A conventionally popular student who blends in with the crowd
  • TOXIC 5 Any gender 12 lines
    A conventionally popular student who blends in with the crowd
  • TOXIC 6 Any gender 11 lines
    A conventionally popular student who blends in with the crowd
  • TOXIC 7 Any gender 11 lines
    A conventionally popular student who blends in with the crowd
  • TOXIC 8 Any gender 11 lines
    A conventionally popular student who blends in with the crowd
  • TOXIC 38 lines
    All TOXIC characters together (Chorus)

Praise for Passing Period Purgatory

4 out of 5 stars
Korey Cantrell
North High
My students enjoyed the script and worked hard on the production. The ensemble structure meant everyone was involved.

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