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That One Book About You-Know-What

That One Book About You-Know-What

by Kirk Shimano

A forbidden school library becomes a battleground when a group of students sneaks in to learn why books are being banned. A redacted school board transcript introduces a crusading parent, Mrs. X, determined to purge “dangerous” stories.

One of the targeted books is Moby-Dick, which the students also uncover. Shifting between the high seas and the school board meeting, we watch in real time as Mrs. X and Captain Ahab mirror each other: obsessed, power-driven, and headed toward destruction. What happens if we narrow our view to hatred and nothing else?

Funny, theatrical, poignant, and pointed, this play shines a light on what censorship really looks like.

Dramedy

Recommended for High Schools and Middle Schools

Running Time
About 25 minutes
Approximate; excludes intermissions and scene changes
Cast
9 Characters
1 M1 F7 Any Gender, Plus Angry Parents and Intrepid Sailors
Set
Simple set
Length
21 pages
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.

9 Characters
1 M, 1 F, 7 Any Gender, Plus Angry Parents and Intrepid Sailors

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.
See playwright notes in the script for more info.

The Students
ASHER [A] 27 lines
A bold leader who initiated tonight’s expedition.
HARPER [A] 13 lines
A quiet introvert with a secret flair for the dramatic.
SPENCER [A] 21 lines
A supportive friend, here to help where they can.
STEVIE [A] 32 lines
A bit of a klutz with a surprising literary side.
SKYLER [A] 43 lines
A reluctant participant with a deeper connection than they let on.
The Board Meeting
NORBERT [M] 22 lines
The blandest of administrators.
MRS. X [F] 41 lines
A concerned mother with an extreme number of concerns.
ANGRY PARENTS [A] 5 lines
A motley collection of parents.
The Sailors
AHAB [A] 13 lines
A captain whose obsession is legendary.
STARBUCK [A] 4 lines
A conflicted soul with a strong moral compass.
INTREPID SAILORS [A] 4 lines
A motley collection of sailors.

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