STUFF! A Curious Collection

Short Play · Dramedy · 1 act · 40 - 60 mins

Type of show: Short Play
Performance type: Live, Digital
Genre: Dramedy
Acts: 1 act
Duration: 40 - 60 mins
Cast: 7 to 20+, m/f
Performing groups: High School/Secondary Theatre for Young Audiences
Movement: Minimal, flexible, with strong opportunity for robust movement work.
Tech: Minimal, flexible

Overview

*STUFF! A Curious Collection* playfully explores the power of *stuff* to inspire story creation, and the power of *story* to heal broken spirits and build community. Born from a collaboration between at-risk teens and theatre professionals, this theatrical fantasia for young actors and audiences features deeply flexible casting, and fantastic opportunity for robust and playful physical theatre. Five young people who have lost their zest for life, for a variety of genuine and recognizable reasons, are called into an imagined world where a blank book awaits their individual and group stories. As they share the stories that have frozen each of them in an unhappy state, they begin to appreciate one another and understand themselves. Soon, they are combining their real-life odds and ends into a gloriously silly -- and restorative -- group story. Having arrived alone, the five young people depart together, no longer imprisoned by their stories but owning them. \*It has been found that a really gifted, trained, adult physical theatre actor in the role of Stuff inspires both the cast and audiences to new heights of creativity and enjoyment. However, young people can also thrive in the role.\*

Casting

7 to 20+, m/f

M.C. (MASTER OF CREATIVITY)

The embodiment of the human drive to find purpose, community and healing through shared stories. Upbeat, confident, and welcoming.

STUFF

A non-speaking personification of odds and ends of absolutely no significance except when paired with human creativity. In this play, as in life, STUFF calls to us, teases us, tickles us, troubles us, inspires us – and, in so doing, evokes the human creativity required to realize its own potential.

SOME ONE

Upper teens, loves to read and write stories. Also plays story characters MINEY, TRAVEL AGENT, LARRY, PUPPET CURLY, and PUPPET MOE.

ANY ONE

Early teens, a visual artist who loves to play dress-up and finds costume pieces for others as indicated. Also plays story character MOTHER.

EACH ONE

A drummer who loves to play with all kinds of sound and helps to create sound effects as indicated. Also plays story characters FATHER, LION, and PUPPET WHALE.

EVERY ONE

Upper teens, born to dance. Also plays the story characters MEENY and TOUR GUIDE.

OTHER ONE

The youngest of the ONES, grieving for a beloved pet. Also plays story character EENY and shares operation of PUPPET MOE.

Materials

Available for an additional fee:

60-Minute Talkback with the Creators

$300

A 60-minute Zoom/Google Meet with one or more of the show's creator(s). Licensees and guests can ask questions, share experiences, and hear about the artistic journey of the show and creative team. This can be scheduled before or after the performances. If we are unable to make scheduling work, the cost will be refunded.

Video Recording License

$150

License to create an archival recording of the show that may be distributed to the cast and crew. This does not allow publicly posting the performance.

Prices are for informational purposes only and are non-binding until your contract is signed.

“STUFF! A Curious Collection ” by Sandra Fenichel Asher is available for licensing exclusively through Uproar Theatrics for high school and Theatre for Young Audiences productions.