Conlangified

by Lainie Vansant

FULL-LENGTH: Eva, an aspiring TV writer, is too cool for school, but she must swallow her pride and embrace some changes when her job suddenly depends on a super nerdy assignment.

FULL-LENGTH: Eva, an aspiring TV writer, is too cool for school, but she must swallow her pride and embrace some changes when her job suddenly depends on a super nerdy assignment.

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Conlangified

Recommended by

  • Daniel Prillaman: Conlangified by Lainie Vansant
    “

    Who knew that there was such a detailed hierarchical system to be found in nerdom? Vansant's play is a delightful, wholesome, and above all, fun dive into languages and the spoken word. How they change, how they are made, and how to make one for a new episode of your nerdy sci-fi show in order to please your boss. Nerds are brutal. It's gotta be perfect. They've torn less to shreds, you know. Great fun and theatricality for all ages.

    Who knew that there was such a detailed hierarchical system to be found in nerdom? Vansant's play is a delightful, wholesome, and above all, fun dive into languages and the spoken word. How they change, how they are made, and how to make one for a new episode of your nerdy sci-fi show in order to please your boss. Nerds are brutal. It's gotta be perfect. They've torn less to shreds, you know. Great fun and theatricality for all ages.

    ”
  • A. René Gutierrez: Conlangified by Lainie Vansant
    “

    A very smart, nerdy story about embracing different cultures, seizing opportunities, and personal transformation. Vansant creates an enthralling story with some esoteric elements with passion and style.

    A very smart, nerdy story about embracing different cultures, seizing opportunities, and personal transformation. Vansant creates an enthralling story with some esoteric elements with passion and style.

    ”
  • Rich Rubin: Conlangified by Lainie Vansant
    “

    A super-smart romantic comedy about coming of age, living one's dream and playing with language. Extremely witty, timely and theatrical. Would love to see this fully mounted and produced!

    A super-smart romantic comedy about coming of age, living one's dream and playing with language. Extremely witty, timely and theatrical. Would love to see this fully mounted and produced!

    ”
View all 6 recommendations

Character Information

Chorus may be partially or fully doubled with named characters as noted.
  • Eva
    Chicana woman. Showrunner’s assistant at WeTV. Too cool for school.
    *May be non-binary. Pronouns may be changed to they/them/their.
    Young adult
    Female,
    Femme,
    Non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Nick
    A handsome, local member of the conlang community.
    *Could be any gender. Name may be changed to Nikki. Pronouns may be changed accordingly.
    Young adult
    Male,
    Masc,
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
  • Li
    Writer for WeTV. Easygoing and open-minded, but also fiercely loyal. Also plays CHORUS 2.
    *May be any gender. Pronouns may be changed accordingly.
    Adult
    Female,
    Femme,
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Grady
    Tough and efficient, but not as heartless as he seems. EVA’s boss. Also plays CHORUS 3.
    *May be any gender. Name may be changed to GWEN. Pronouns may be changed accordingly.
    50s-60s
    Male,
    Masc,
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Lalo
    Nerdy to the core. Uses a wheelchair. EVA’s younger brother. Also plays CHORUS 4.
    *May be any gender. Name may be changed to FINA. Pronouns may be changed accordingly.
    Young adult
    Latino -- Chicano
    Male,
    Masc,
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
  • Malik
    Runs an online Conlanging chat group. Male, 40s-50s. Also plays CHORUS 5.
    *May be any gender. Name may be changed to MARRYL. Pronouns may be changed accordingly.
    Adult
    Male,
    Masc,
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Pippin
    A member of the conlanging group. A prodigy, or just a kid with too much time. Female, late teens. Also plays CHORUS 6.
    *Could be non-binary. Pronouns may be changed to they/them/their.
    Teen
    Female,
    Femme,
    Non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Xmalta
    A warrior queen on the planet Twon. Also plays CHORUS 7.
    *May be non-binary. Pronouns may be changed to they/them/their.
    Adult
    Female,
    Femme,
    Non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Captain Tamara Genesis
    The Captain of the Icarus. No-Nonsense and tough. Also plays CHORUS 1.
    *May be non-binary. Pronouns may be changed to they/them/their.
    Adult
    Female,
    Femme,
    Non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Chorus 1
  • Chorus 2
  • Chorus 3
  • Chorus 4
  • Chorus 5
  • Chorus 6
  • Chorus 7

Development History

  • Reading, Missouri Playwright's Workshop, University of Missouri - Columbia, 2018