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Pressure

Pressure

by Lindsay Price

A raw, fast-moving portrait of teenage pressure, told through intersecting stories of young people trying to survive a world that demands everything from them. Grades. Popularity. Resilience. Perfection. All while they are still figuring out who they are. When all they want is to be seen, understood, and safe, the pressure does not let up.

This is a character-driven drama with no easy answers and no neat endings.

Ideal for mixed ability groups. The script offers strong opportunities for both novice and advanced actors, with meaningful roles for all.

Drama Character Study Choral Work Issue-Based
Also available in a competition-length version here.

Recommended for High Schools

About 45 minutes
Times given are approximate and do not include intermissions/scene changes/breaks
14 Characters
4 M | 10 F, Plus Ensemble
Simple Set
35 pages

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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.

14 Characters
4 M, 10 F, Plus Ensemble

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.

MALE
Kyle [M] 61 lines
Caught between the dreams others have for him and the ones he secretly imagines for himself. He dresses in second hand clothes and in dark colours.
Alex [M] 50 lines
A newcomer from Ukraine trying to learn a new language, make friends, care for his family, and stay afloat in unfamiliar terrain. Happy to have clothes on his back.
Dave [M] 35 lines
Knows everyone worth knowing. A basketball player. A dangerous date.
Father [M] 20 lines
Puts a lot of pressure on Kyle to follow in his brother’s footsteps.
FEMALE
Penny [F] 74 lines
A relentlessly overworked high achiever. Dresses to reflect her uptight high achieving ways.
Tera [F] 103 lines
Shy and uprooted, convinced she will never fit in. Wears whatever she thinks is going to make her popular.
Mrs. Keely [F] 32 lines
A supportive, kind Teacher
Sarah [F] 67 lines
Kyle’s best friend. Straight talking.
Ally [F] 70 lines
On the formal committee, wants to help Alex.
Sam [F] 44 lines
Wants to be on Tera’s good side when she gets a date with Dave, but not above pushing her out of the way.
Mother [F] 19 lines
Pressures Kyle to do his best.
Mama [F] 19 lines
Alex’s ailing mother.
Georgia [F] 13 lines
Penny’s academic rival in big hair and high heels.
Amy [F] 13 lines
Tells a chilling tale of what it’s like to date Dave.
The Mob [A] 12 lines
The voice of pressure itself.

From the Drama Teacher Learning Centre

July Reading List: Issue-Based Plays

July Reading List: Issue-Based Plays

Student Director Insights & Interpretations: Pressure

Student Director Insights & Interpretations: Pressure

Theatrefolk’s Top Program-Building Plays

Theatrefolk’s Top Program-Building Plays

Theatrefolk’s Top 10: Teen Life

Theatrefolk’s Top 10: Teen Life

Spread the Love: Pressure by Lindsay Price

Spread the Love: Pressure by Lindsay Price

Word Fear

Word Fear

Spread the Love: Pressure

Spread the Love: Pressure

Social Issue Plays for High Schools / Middle Schools

Social Issue Plays for High Schools / Middle Schools

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