Under the Floorboards by Dana Hall

Short 15min.
Under the Floorboards is an adaptation of Egar Allen Poe’s Tell-Tale Heart that depicts the internal struggle to escape patriarchal constraints. The narrator seeks deliverance from the paternal surveillance (The EYE), that has dominated and abused its privilege for far too long.
This updated version captures the essence of the original with a modern twist.
This is the stage...
Short 15min.
Under the Floorboards is an adaptation of Egar Allen Poe’s Tell-Tale Heart that depicts the internal struggle to escape patriarchal constraints. The narrator seeks deliverance from the paternal surveillance (The EYE), that has dominated and abused its privilege for far too long.
This updated version captures the essence of the original with a modern twist.
This is the stage version.

If needing a virtual version please inquire.

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Under the Floorboards

Recommended by

  • Ryan Vaughan:
    17 Dec. 2023
    “ An adaptation of an eerie tale that when put through the lens that Hall places it, becomes even more haunting. A fine piece for those familiar with the inspiration and those who are not. Chilling and yet I can't get enough. ”
  • Morey Norkin:
    30 Apr. 2023
    “ Dana Hall has created a first-rate adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe’s Tell-Tale Heart. Keeping all of the tension of the original, Hall skillfully puts a modern spin on it. And splitting the narrator into three characters to represent the divisions of the subconscious mind actually makes the sole perpetrator’s reasoning more chilling than the original. This should become a Halloween staple or any time a theater wants to provide a good scare. ”
  • Conor McShane:
    30 Jan. 2023
    “ I loved the way that this adaptation managed to update the story for a modern context while still keeping its grand, Gothic feel. The Freudian flair is really fun and well-handled; some plays that try to theatricalize the inner mind end up feeling kind of awkward or overly literal, but this play does a great job of making it highly theatrical with just a few elements. The gender-swapped story, tied into the unrealistic and impossible expectations placed on women, is a great way to make the story feel both timely and timeless. A creepy delight! ”
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Cast:
3 female or non-binary persons.

Note: The role of the narrator is divided into three parts. The parts should be depicted as parts of the same person. The narrator is female and/or non-binary.

Narrator 1: ID- The id is the primitive and instinctive component of personality.
Presentation: Primitive tatters and/or sexual
Narrator 2: EGO- The ego works by reason it is the mediator between the chaos of ID and the hyper- Morality of SuperEgo.
Presentation: Regular, everyday attire
Narrator 3: SUPEREGO- The superego strives for perfection and it believes it is the ultimate morality, almost narcissistic.
Presentation: Pristine & proper

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Rainy Day Artistic Collective
    ,
    2021
  • Professional
    ,
    The Rude Mechanicals
    ,
    2021