Facebook Pixel Skip to main content
That One Book About You-Know-What by Kirk Shimano play script cover

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

At a Glance

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

What to order?

Not sure what you need to order? Check out our pricing and ordering guide.

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.

More Plays Like That One Book About You-Know-What

Patience Chose A Party

by Lindsay Price

Patience Chose A Party

A sharp, comedic glimpse into the chaos of high school life, where every choice feels like the end of the world—but might just be the start of self-discovery.

La Caja

by Lindsay Price

La Caja

A Spanish translation of the middle school vignette play Box.

Box

by Lindsay Price

Box

A middle school vignette play about the boxes we find ourselves in.

Red Tee

by Lindsay Price

Red Tee

It’s time for role call. Who are you?

Agatha Rex: Competition Version

adapted by Lindsay Price from Antigone by Sophocles

Agatha Rex: Competition Version

A competition-length adaptation of Agatha Rex by Lindsay Price

Agatha Rex

adapted by Lindsay Price from Antigone by Sophocles

Agatha Rex

A modern adaptation of Sophocles' Antigone set in a high school.

We accept
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Google Pay, and Apple Pay
We accept school purchase orders too. Info for your purchasing department