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The Art of Rejection: Two One Act Plays by Christian Kiley play script cover

The Art of Rejection: Two One Act Plays

by Christian Kiley

Rejection is a universal experience. Whether it's being picked last for a team, not getting the part in the school play, or simply feeling like you don't belong, everyone knows what it feels like to be rejected.

This collection includes two mid-size cast one-act plays that explore this theme from different angles:

  • The Art of Rejection: A stylized ensemble piece where a character named "R" struggles to exist in a world dominated by Numbers who refuse to accept a Letter.

  • Chaired: A metaphorical look at the paralyzing fear of failure, where a character named Potential is afraid to stand up and face the world.

Both plays use humour, absurdity, and vulnerability to ask the question: How do we keep going when the world tells us to stop?

Comedy Black Comedy Character Study Experimental Form Issue-Based

Recommended for High Schools

At a Glance

Cast
29 Characters
1 M1 F27 Any Gender
Set
Simple Set
Length
39 pages
Free Excerpt
Classroom Study Guide
Download a free Classroom Study Guide

This Book is a Collection of 2 Plays

License the entire book, or license individual plays separately. To license a single play, click its title below.

The Art of Rejection

1 M, 1 F, 14 Any Gender · Approx. 20 minutes

R is the only letter in a sea of numbers. Always picked last for kickball, never part of the 'in' crowd, never gets the girl. What is a letter to do to get through life? An avant-garde look at the price of popularity.

Chaired

13 Any Gender · Approx. 20 minutes

Potential sits centre stage in a chair. At times Potential is forced to remain seated by family, teachers and friends. At other times Potential will do anything not to stand. It's better to stay in place, not move, not reach out. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is just stand up…

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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.

29 Characters

1 M, 1 F, 27 Any Gender

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.

THE ART OF REJECTION:
One [A] 20 lines
Ensemble, Team Captain, Beggar.
Two [A] 18 lines
Ensemble, Team Captain, Anti-Odd Leader.
Three [A] 9 lines
Ensemble, Cast List Spotter, Awards Host.
Four [A] 13 lines
Ensemble, Actor, Therapist.
Five [A] 17 lines
Ensemble, Actor, Nosey Relative.
Six [A] 12 lines
Ensemble, Actor, “Yep” Relative.
Seven [A] 8 lines
Ensemble, Actor.
Eight [A] 7 lines
Ensemble, Actor.
Nine [A] 8 lines
Ensemble, Actor.
Ten [A] 7 lines
Ensemble, Actor.
Eleven [A] 11 lines
Ensemble, Intense Actor.
Twelve [F] 12 lines
Ensemble, R’s Ex.
Thirteen [M] 9 lines
Ensemble, Twelve’s New Flame.
Fourteen [A] 17 lines
Ensemble, R’s Sibling, ATM.
Fifteen [A] 12 lines
Ensemble, Boss.
R. [A] 44 lines
The only letter. Constantly ridiculed.
CHAIRED:
Potential [A] 70 lines
Afraid to stand up.
Older Sibling [A] 11 lines
Bossy and controlling.
Teacher [A] 11 lines
Never gives Potential a chance.
Perfect [A] 5 lines
Can do no wrong.
Coach [A]
Doesn’t trust Potential.
Friend [A] 8 lines
Wants to help if it is convenient.
Critic [A] 6 lines
Disagrees with everything.
Panicked Person [A] 7 lines
Scared of everything.
Offstage Monster [A]
The monster’s voice. Assorted growls.
Offstage Voice [A] 5 lines
A bully with a short attention span.
Person in Need [A] 6 lines
Needs to make a “critical” phone call.
Motivator [A] 114 lines
A mediocre motivator.
Thought [A] 10 lines
The compassionate supporter.

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