Water. Gun. Argument. by Alan Haehnel - Theatrefolk

Water. Gun. Argument.

Recommended for High Schools

Water. Gun. Argument.

by Alan Haehnel

A squirt gun would never be mistaken for a real gun, right?

 About 40 minutes

Times given are approximate and do not include intermissions/scene changes/breaks

 49
4 M | 8 W | 37 Any Gender, Using doubling, the play could be performed with as few as 18 actors

Simple set

 30 pages

Drama Issue-Based

An argument is a lie you choose to believe and defend.

Every year the students of Ratherford High participate in a squirt gun competition called Assassin. There are rounds, rules and judges.

It’s the oldest game in the world, right? Kids trying to shoot at each other with play guns? It’s become a national phenomenon, so what’s the harm?

If there was an actual school shooting, of course they’d stop playing. And a squirt gun would never be mistaken for a real gun, right? An argument is a lie you choose to believe and defend. A thought provoking and powerful piece in a docu-theatre style.

Free Classroom Study Guide

49 Characters
4 M, 8 W, 37 Any Gender, Using doubling, the play could be performed with as few as 18 actors

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.

MICHAEL [M] 93 lines
Male. The curator of the play.
JENNIFER [A] 8 lines
Reporter for WCYA. Could double as a protestor, as one of the Complaints 1-9, as Morgan, Brigid, Shelly or Anna.
JASON [A] 21 lines
A none-too-bright member of Michael’s Assassin team. Could double as a protestor, as one of the Complaints 1-9.
MELISSA [A] 17 lines
Principal of Ratherford High School.
GIRL [W] 1 line
A single-line character squirted by Jason. Could double as a protestor, as one of the Complaints 1-9.
MR. HUDNOR [A] 11 lines
Argumentation teacher at Ratherford High School.
CAPTAIN MEEKS [A] 5 lines
Chief of Ratherford Police Department.
TOMMY [M] 23 lines
Cocky member of an Assassin Team opposing Michael’s. Could double as a protestor, as one of the Complaints 1-9.
JAKE [M] 10 lines
Teammate with Tommy. Could double as a protestor, as one of the Complaints 1-9.
ELISE [W] 13 lines
An Assassin judge with a crush on Michael.
QUESTIONER [A] 25 lines
A faceless voice who questions Officer Kline.
OFFICER KLINE [W] 35 lines
A member of the Ratherford police force.
MRS. GRAY [W] 13 lines
An old widow who feels threatened by the Assassin game.
COMPLAINT 1-9 [A]
Various off-stage voices representing players of the Assassin game with complaints for the judges.
CARA [A] 12 lines
An Assassin player on a team opposing Michael’s.
TOBY [A] 8 lines
Team-mate to Cara.
PROTESTERS [A] 8 lines
8-20 people carrying signs and chanting protests.
MORGAN [W] 12 lines
Member of the final-round Assassin team. Could double as a protestor, as one of the Complaints 1-9.
BRIGID [W] 24 lines
Captain of the final-round Assassin team. Could double as a protestor, as one of the Complaints 1-9.
SHELLY [W] 7 lines
Member of the final-round Assassin team. Could double as a protestor, as one of the Complaints 1-9.
ANNA [W] 8 lines
Member of the final-round Assassin team. Could double as a protestor, as one of the Complaints 1-9.

Subgenres
Character study

Settings
Present day

Dress
Contemporary costumes Simple costumes

Audience
Teen

Features
Character study Ensemble

Set
Simple set

Cautions
Frank talk of death Gun shots Physical violence

Themes
Adolescence Death Individuality Morality Personal responsibility School violence Friendship Race

Other uses
Competition Monologues

Multimedia

Related Titles

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Exemption details for scenes and monologues for competition.

We accept orders worldwide using the following payment methods:
Purchase Orders accepted from US and Canadian Schools.
Info for your purchasing department.

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