TEACH

by Donna Hoke

SEEKING WORLD PREMIERE!
Winner, Gulfshore New Works
Winner, Guilford Technical Community College Center New Work Initiative Playwriting Contest
Winner, Athena Plays in Progress
Finalist, Ashland New Play Festival
Two-time semifinalist, O'Neill National Playwrights Conference

Five actors, three characters, one story: Ten years ago, Ken and Chris were teacher and student. Now, as principal and teacher, Ken uses...

SEEKING WORLD PREMIERE!
Winner, Gulfshore New Works
Winner, Guilford Technical Community College Center New Work Initiative Playwriting Contest
Winner, Athena Plays in Progress
Finalist, Ashland New Play Festival
Two-time semifinalist, O'Neill National Playwrights Conference

Five actors, three characters, one story: Ten years ago, Ken and Chris were teacher and student. Now, as principal and teacher, Ken uses a student's suspiciously high grade as license to grill Chris until the young teacher is forced to confront both past and present. While most plays question the audience, TEACH exposes the biases that make audiences question themselves. Though its production requirements are simple, TEACH is anything but.

  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

TEACH

Recommended by

  • Eric Roberts: TEACH

    TEACH is a timeless piece of theater that examinesgender bias on multiple levels in American school system. Donna’s writing cuts deep into the subject matter in unique style through the creative staging of the piece.

    TEACH is a timeless piece of theater that examinesgender bias on multiple levels in American school system. Donna’s writing cuts deep into the subject matter in unique style through the creative staging of the piece.

  • Ryan Morales: TEACH

    TEACH is a fantastic play that is enhanced by the flexibility with which the casting of the roles adds depth and nuance to the power dynamics at play. Each production of TEACH is innately unique in that way. A director and a producer can tell a lot of unspoken stories through these relationships, which, alongside the quick witted and biting dialogue, creates an impactful and thought-provoking night at the theatre.

    TEACH is a fantastic play that is enhanced by the flexibility with which the casting of the roles adds depth and nuance to the power dynamics at play. Each production of TEACH is innately unique in that way. A director and a producer can tell a lot of unspoken stories through these relationships, which, alongside the quick witted and biting dialogue, creates an impactful and thought-provoking night at the theatre.

  • Paul Hufker: TEACH

    TEACH is remarkable -- I found it to be a fluid, timley, relevant interrogation play which connects the separate dichotomies of male vs female power dynamic interactions, as well as explores necessary and uncomfortable educational boundaries. As a professor, I found it riveting.

    I also deeply admire the way Ms. Hoke made a properly connected, time-fluid story with only a few chairs as a set; that’s craft at its highest.

    TEACH is remarkable -- I found it to be a fluid, timley, relevant interrogation play which connects the separate dichotomies of male vs female power dynamic interactions, as well as explores necessary and uncomfortable educational boundaries. As a professor, I found it riveting.

    I also deeply admire the way Ms. Hoke made a properly connected, time-fluid story with only a few chairs as a set; that’s craft at its highest.

View all 46 recommendations

Character Information

This is absolutely NOT an all-white cast; no exceptions. Despite this note, I have shown up to all-white readings. Please don't do this.

  • Ken James
    high school principal
    Character Age
    37-40
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Female Chris
    High school English teacher
    Character Age
    27
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Male Chris
    high school English teacher
    Character Age
    27
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Female Emerson
    high school student
    Character Age
    17
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Male Emerson
    high school student
    Character Age
    17
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Palm Beach Dramaworks, Year 2020
  • Type Reading, Organization The Road Theatre Company, Summerplay Festival 9, Year 2018
  • Type Workshop, Organization Gulfshore New Works Festival, Year 2018
  • Type Reading, Organization Zoetic Stage, Year 2018
  • Type Workshop, Organization Residency--Road Less Traveled Productions, Year 2017

Production History

  • Type Workshop, Organization Matthew Corozine Studio Theatre, Year 2021
  • Type University, Organization Guilford Technical Community College Center (shut down March 2020 in tech), Year 2020
  • Type Workshop, Organization Athena Plays in Progress, Year 2019

Awards

  • Guilford Technical Community College Center New Work Initiative Playwriting Contest
    Guilford Technical Community College Center for Creative and Performing Arts
    Winner
    2019
  • Philadelphia Women's Theatre Festival
    Finalist
    2018
  • Local Lab
    Local Theater Company
    Finalist
    2018
  • Winner
    Athena Plays in Progress
    Winner
    2019
  • Gulfshore Playhouse New Works Festival
    Gulfshore Playhouse
    Winner
    2018
  • T. Schreiber New Works Intiative
    T. Schreiber Studio
    Finalist
    2018
  • Headwaters New Play Festival
    Creede Repertory Theatre
    Finalist
    2018
  • Finalist, Ashland New Play Festival
    2018
  • National Playwrights Conference
    Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
    Semi-Finalist
    2018