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The House

The House

by Lindsay Price

Do ghosts make a house haunted, or are houses evil to begin with? Three teens enter a haunted house prepared to answer this question. They are ready to search the house top to bottom, share stories, and document what they see. But what if what they find isn’t anything they’ve prepared themselves for?

Did that door just creak open on its own? Who’s walking upstairs? Was that a scream? Only the Chosen Ones know… and they’re watching you…

Excellent class project or large cast production. Doubling possible. Roles for all levels. So much for your technical students to dive into!

There is an option to make this long one act play into a two act play.

Drama Classical Adaptation
Also available in a competition-length version here.

Recommended for High Schools and Middle Schools

Running Time
About 75 minutes
Approximate; excludes intermissions and scene changes
Cast
28 Characters
5 M | 9 F | 14 Any Gender
Set
Unit set
Length
85 pages
Free Excerpt
Classroom Study Guide
Download a free Classroom Study Guide

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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.

28 Characters
5 M, 9 F, 14 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.

THROUGH-LINE CHARACTERS (2F/3AG+CHOSEN ONES)
Liath [AG] 45 lines
The Grey One. Unknown age. Unknown origin. Pronounced LEE-EH.
Carmel [F] 122 lines
Teen. The self-proclaimed leader of the trio. Intent on winning.
Raimy [AG] 104 lines
Teen. The follower of the trio. Extremely smart and insightful. Also weird.
Lex [A] 93 lines
Teen. The outsider of the trio. Unsettled home life. Made one mistake.
Ms. Selma Paha [F] 66 lines
Older. Real Estate Agent. Mary Kay vibe. Has a secret. Look up the meaning of Paha in Finnish.
The Chosen Ones [AG]
Ghosts dressed in grey. You can start with as many or as few as you like. Their numbers grow as the play progresses. They are not friendly.
STORY ONE (1M/2F/5AG+LIATH)
Lost [F] 16 lines
The Lost Child.
Joey/Finley [A] 4/5 lines
They briefly experience the Lost Child first-hand.
Caroline [F] 14 lines
The Mother. Cruel and unmotherly.
John [M] 10 lines
The Father. Blind to his wife’s true nature. Bad head for business.
Maid [A] 6 lines
Unable to work for Caroline.
Liath [A]
As Agency Manager. Owns the Agency that supplies Caroline with maids. Loves children.
Nosy One/Nosy Two [AG] 15/13 lines
Nosy Neighbours with good hearts.
STORY TWO (2M/4F/3AG+LIATH)
Liz [F] 34 lines
Young woman. Wealthy. Without a care in the world. Best friends with Ceci.
Ceci [F] 70 lines
Young woman. Wealthy. Without a care in the world. Best friends with Liz.
Liath [A]
As Mrs. Silver. Or Mr. Silver. Or Mx. Silver. Renting out the house. Does not share its past.
Maid [A]
Can’t stay in the house. Feels it’s watching.
Baker [A] 16 lines
Knows the history of the house.
Henry [M] 13 lines
Ceci’s husband. Does not believe in the story of the house.
Sarah [F] 10 lines
Maid. A victim of the house.
Doctor [A] 10 lines
Unfamiliar with Sarah’s condition.
Adela [F] 16 lines
Young woman. Wealthy. Without a care in the world. Friend of Ceci.
Ralph [M] 15 lines
Young man. Wealthy. Without a care in the world. Recklessly decides to take on the house.
STORY THREE (2M/1F/3AG+LIATH/6 CHOSEN ONES)
Uno/Dos [A] 2/1 lines
Two narrators who get taken over fairly quickly. + CHOSEN ONES
Don Juan Manuel [M] 43 lines
A man of great power and great jealousy.
Elena [F] 3 lines
Don Juan’s wife. + CHOSEN ONE
Nephew [M] 0 lines
Don Juan’s unfortunate nephew. + CHOSEN ONE
Liath [A]
As the Grey One The one without a shadow. Not a good person. Not a person at all…
Chosen One [A] 21 lines
As the Police. A member of the police force.
Chosen One [A] 18 lines
As the Police. A member of the police force.
Chosen Ones x2 [A]
As Victims. Three unfortunate ones who meet Don Juan.
STORY FOUR (2M/2F/3AG+LIATH)
Roderick [M] 66 lines
A sickly young man.
Nish [A] 110 lines
A friend.
Madeline [F] 0 lines
Roderick’s sister. A sickly young woman. No lines.
Mom/Dad [F/M] 11/13 lines
Nish’s parents. Mom wants Nish to stay home. Dad doesn’t like the situation.
Cabbie [A] 12 lines
Does not want to get too close to the Usher house.
Liath [A]
As Ash, Roderick’s valet. Mostly humourless.
Doctor [A]
Madeline’s doctor.

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From the Drama Teacher Learning Centre

Featured Play - The House
Featured Plays

Theatrefolk Featured Play - The House

Welcome to our Featured Play Spotlight. Are you ready to visit The House by Lindsay Price? Perfect for a class project or large cast production, with roles for all levels and possibly doubling. So much for your technical students to dive into! Do ghosts make a house haunted, or are houses evil to begin with? Three teens enter a haunted house prepared to answer this question. They are ready to search the house top to bottom, share stories, and document what they see. But what if what they find isn’t anything they’ve prepared themselves for? Did that door just creak open on its own? Who’s walking upstairs? Was that a scream? Only the Chosen Ones know… and they’re watching you… There is an option to make this long one act play into a two act play - and don't miss the Competition-Length version too! Let's hear from the author!1. Why did you write this play? This play was written specifically for a theatre company - Fort Wayne Youtheatre. We talked about the structure of the play they needed, the cast size, and they wanted a subject matter that would fit around Halloween. I love writing a set criteria and The House was the result! 2. Describe the theme in one or two sentences? Do ghosts make a house haunted, or are houses evil to begin with? Three teens enter a haunted house prepared to answer this question. 3. What's the most important visual for you in this play? The Shudders! These are the ghosts who roam the house and live in the grey world between past and present. I love having a character just walk through the shadows of a scene, not trying to steal focus, but if you notice them, it gives you pause. And, no spoilers, but they make the end of the play gave me the complete "shudders" the first time I saw it! 4. If you could give one piece of advice for those producing the play, what would it be? There is a decided mix of humour and horror in the play, take care to decide clearly which tone is needed in a moment. And the deeper you get into the play, the less funny everything should become. Draw your audience in! 5. Why is this play great for student performers? Great teen characters, a large ensemble, and lots of fun challenges for your tech crew. 6. Who is your favourite character in the play? Raimy. I love their sense of humour and I love showcasing characters who are comfortable in their off-kilter personality. 7\ What is your favourite line in the play? "Why do all haunted houses look the same? Big and old and dark and what is this? Victorian? Why is there never a haunted condo? Or a haunted hammock?"
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