The Exit Interview (Published by Concord)

by William Missouri Downs

Winner of a Rolling Premiere from the National New Play Network.

PUBLISHED BY SAMUEL FRENCH

Untenured professor Dr. Dick Fig has found that a Ph.D. on Bertolt Brecht isn't worth much – He's being pink-slipped. The last thing he needs to do before he hits the slow-moving unemployment line is attending the University's required exit interview. Eunice, the interviewer, is not a good match for Dick; she finds...

Winner of a Rolling Premiere from the National New Play Network.

PUBLISHED BY SAMUEL FRENCH

Untenured professor Dr. Dick Fig has found that a Ph.D. on Bertolt Brecht isn't worth much – He's being pink-slipped. The last thing he needs to do before he hits the slow-moving unemployment line is attending the University's required exit interview. Eunice, the interviewer, is not a good match for Dick; she finds comfort in self-help books like The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, while Dick hates small talk and is a vocal freethinker.

When a despondent student begins shooting up Ronald Reagan Hall (next door to the action), Dick and Eunice are forced to take cover as they confront the great existential questions of life: What is its meaning? What is the relationship between religion and science? And why does God hate amputees? (Dick had his foot amputated in a tragic moose accident – it was reattached).

The Exit interview is not realism - A chorus of actors play nearly two dozen roles that interrupt the main action to tell the story of Dick's failed relationships, his fallout with small-minded people, and his relationship with the moose. When things get too intense, the chorus stops the play's action to stage commercial interruptions and ten-minute plays with other storylines to remind the audience that they are in a theatre and need to keep thinking.

"The Exit Interview" may be one of the most up-front, honest plays you ever sit down to watch. – The Salt Lake Tribune

"Bertolt Brecht would be proud." - Orlando Sentinel.

"A gleefully boundary-flouting riff on religion, piety and the limits of belief" - San Diego Union-Tribune

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The Exit Interview (Published by Concord)

Recommended by

  • Jerry Polner: The Exit Interview (Published by Concord)

    The Exit Interview is a very funny romp of a play, Brechtian to its core, full of religion versus science, small talk versus big talk, and Fox News versus the rest of us. Bertolt would be jealous.

    The Exit Interview is a very funny romp of a play, Brechtian to its core, full of religion versus science, small talk versus big talk, and Fox News versus the rest of us. Bertolt would be jealous.

  • Aleks Merilo: The Exit Interview (Published by Concord)

    I wouldn’t call this a tribute to Brecht’s epic theater, I would call this the real-thing. The hugely ambitious premise of utilizing the Epic Theatre to dramatize a school shooting sounds impossible, yet somehow through placards, songs, alienation, multiple story lines, and tests of moral complexity, Downs manages to embody every facet of Brecht’s artistic vision. Both humorous and tragic, I found myself gasping and laughing during the absurdity that plays out at break-neck speed. The German theorist would be proud, and, I’m guessing, a little envious of Downs’ mastery.

    I wouldn’t call this a tribute to Brecht’s epic theater, I would call this the real-thing. The hugely ambitious premise of utilizing the Epic Theatre to dramatize a school shooting sounds impossible, yet somehow through placards, songs, alienation, multiple story lines, and tests of moral complexity, Downs manages to embody every facet of Brecht’s artistic vision. Both humorous and tragic, I found myself gasping and laughing during the absurdity that plays out at break-neck speed. The German theorist would be proud, and, I’m guessing, a little envious of Downs’ mastery.

  • Ignition Arts: The Exit Interview (Published by Concord)

    A thoroughly disturbing Brechtian tale for our times, splattered with politics, religion and ads for Diet Coke. Written ahead of its time, THE EXIT INTERVIEW is reminiscent of Ping Chong's TRUTH & BEAUTY in rock and roll anarchy, while formatted expertly with Verfremdungseffekt. With cheerleaders. Brecht would be proud of this challenging and topical piece.

    A thoroughly disturbing Brechtian tale for our times, splattered with politics, religion and ads for Diet Coke. Written ahead of its time, THE EXIT INTERVIEW is reminiscent of Ping Chong's TRUTH & BEAUTY in rock and roll anarchy, while formatted expertly with Verfremdungseffekt. With cheerleaders. Brecht would be proud of this challenging and topical piece.

View all 7 recommendations

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization Orlando Shakespare Theatre, Year 2011

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Daehakro Theatre Festival, Seoul, South Korea, Year 2020
  • Type Professional, Organization Alliance Française De Bangalore - India, Year 2017
  • Type Professional, Organization Old Town Actor’s Studio , Year 2016
  • Type Professional, Organization Reno Little Theatre, Reno NV , Year 2016
  • Type Professional, Organization Buzzwords Theatre L.A., Year 2015
  • Type University, Organization Western State Colorado University, Year 2015
  • Type Professional, Organization Chagrin Valley Theatre, Cleveland, Year 2014
  • Type Professional, Organization Players' Theatre Group, Cleveland, OH, Year 2014
  • Type Professional, Organization The Bards Theatre, Year 2014
  • Type Professional, Organization The Big Idea Theatre, Sacramento, Year 2014
  • Type Professional, Organization The Flying H Group Stage, Ventura, CA , Year 2014
  • Type University, Organization University of Wyoming, Year 2014
  • Type Professional, Organization Charlotte Actors Theatre , Year 2013
  • Type Professional, Organization Salt Lake Acting Company, Year 2013
  • Type University, Organization Graceland University,, Year 2013
  • Type Professional, Organization (San Diego REPertory Theatre, Year 2012
  • Type Professional, Organization InterAct Theatre Company, Year 2012
  • Type Professional, Organization Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Year 2012
  • Type Professional, Organization Riverside Theatre, Year 2012

Awards

  • Rolling World Premiere
    National New Play Network
    Winner
    2015