Soldier Poet

by Darcy Parker Bruce

The first play in the Piedmont Cycle.

The first play in the Piedmont Cycle.

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Soldier Poet

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Soldier Poet

    A powerful look into the reality of war and what it takes to survive let alone truly become a hero. Well done.

    A powerful look into the reality of war and what it takes to survive let alone truly become a hero. Well done.

  • Chelsea Frandsen: Soldier Poet

    "Soldier Poet" provides a taut, gut-wrenching and surprisingly human look at what is worth fighting for. Each character is individually unique and the imagery throughout the play rattled around in my head for days(I'll never hear the words "chlorine gas" the same again). Darcy Parker Bruce is a gifted wordsmith whose name belongs in the same breath as Paula Vogel, Sarah Ruhl and Suzan-Lori Parks. I'd love to see this play on it's feet.

    "Soldier Poet" provides a taut, gut-wrenching and surprisingly human look at what is worth fighting for. Each character is individually unique and the imagery throughout the play rattled around in my head for days(I'll never hear the words "chlorine gas" the same again). Darcy Parker Bruce is a gifted wordsmith whose name belongs in the same breath as Paula Vogel, Sarah Ruhl and Suzan-Lori Parks. I'd love to see this play on it's feet.

  • Cameron Houg: Soldier Poet

    A gripping examination of the psychology of war, and what it means for someone to be a hero. It is about the importance of continuing to fight for what is right, even if it isn't what you're told to do, and even if it seems hopeless. It's about fighting to your very last breath.

    In the words of Samir: "I think it’s poetic to fight until your last breath. And even more poetic to live."

    A gripping examination of the psychology of war, and what it means for someone to be a hero. It is about the importance of continuing to fight for what is right, even if it isn't what you're told to do, and even if it seems hopeless. It's about fighting to your very last breath.

    In the words of Samir: "I think it’s poetic to fight until your last breath. And even more poetic to live."

View all 16 recommendations

Character Information

  • Ben
    a US army ranger
    Character Age
    30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Cis female or genderqueer
  • Connor
    an american army ranger
    Character Age
    30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Cisgender Male
  • Qamar
    A nurse
    Character Age
    30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Syrian
    Character Gender Identity
    Cisgender Female
  • Fatemah
    A pregnant woman
    Character Age
    30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Syrian
    Character Gender Identity
    Cisgender Female
  • The Journalist
    Journalist for Al Jazeera. Dressed in black, played by a stage hand. Does not speak. Wheels around or carries a camera. Present in all ACT I scenes.
    Character Age
    Any
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Any
  • Samir
    Syrian-American teacher. May be pre-recorded.
    Character Age
    20/30
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Syrian
    Character Gender Identity
    Cis male or non-binary

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Smith College, Year 2017
  • Type Reading, Organization ActOut, Year 2017
  • Type Reading, Organization Poetic Theater Productions with Bailout Theater (sample), Year 2017
  • Type Residency, Organization One Company, Year 2017

Production History

  • Type University, Organization Elmira College, Year 2019
  • Type Professional, Organization Theatre Prometheus, Year 2017

Awards

  • Clauder Prize State Winner (CT)
    Portland Stage
    Winner
    2018
  • Tennessee Williams Scholarship
    Sewanee Writers' Conference
    Selection
    2017
  • Judith Royer Award for Excellence in Playwriting
    Association for Theatre in Higher Education
    Winner
    2018