Singing to the Brine Shrimp

by Jennifer Kokai

(A Fantasia in 12 Scenes with Sock Puppets, Ukuleles, Wine, and an Accident)
This is the theatrical opportunity of the lifetime for playwright Allison, a mom from Utah. At least that’s what the people in New York keep telling her. But the director hasn’t read the play, the actors keep competing over who has been on Law and Order the most, and Allison is a ball of stress and insecurity. Thank goodness the singing...

(A Fantasia in 12 Scenes with Sock Puppets, Ukuleles, Wine, and an Accident)
This is the theatrical opportunity of the lifetime for playwright Allison, a mom from Utah. At least that’s what the people in New York keep telling her. But the director hasn’t read the play, the actors keep competing over who has been on Law and Order the most, and Allison is a ball of stress and insecurity. Thank goodness the singing brine shrimp are there to help her find her way. A fucked up love letter to life and art in a flyover state.

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Singing to the Brine Shrimp

Recommended by

  • Janine Sobeck Knighton: Singing to the Brine Shrimp by Jennifer Kokai
    “

    I was fortunate to see the premiere of SINGING TO THE BRINE SHRIMP a Plan-B Theatre. It is a comedic look into the mysterious world of new play development. The characters are hilarious and the puppets add to the overall absurdist feel to the experience of Allison as she navigates what should be the professional opportunity of a lifetime.

    I was fortunate to see the premiere of SINGING TO THE BRINE SHRIMP a Plan-B Theatre. It is a comedic look into the mysterious world of new play development. The characters are hilarious and the puppets add to the overall absurdist feel to the experience of Allison as she navigates what should be the professional opportunity of a lifetime.

    ”
  • Rachel Bublitz: Singing to the Brine Shrimp by Jennifer Kokai
    “

    This is such a hilarious and zany play! I love the Brine Shrimp and the music used throughout. It's highly theatrical, with painfully realistic characters and situations. Kokai has zeroed in on a playwright's worst nightmare with SINGING TO THE BRINE SHRIMP, and I cringed and laughed all the way through. I am really excited to see this play developed further.

    This is such a hilarious and zany play! I love the Brine Shrimp and the music used throughout. It's highly theatrical, with painfully realistic characters and situations. Kokai has zeroed in on a playwright's worst nightmare with SINGING TO THE BRINE SHRIMP, and I cringed and laughed all the way through. I am really excited to see this play developed further.

    ”

Character Information

ACTOR 1 (F) Plays Allison
ACTOR 2 (F) Plays Brine Shrimp (2), Bianca, Dinah, Rosalinda, Beth
ACTOR 3 (M) Plays Brine Shrimp (3), Huck, Chuck, Ryan, Royston
ACTOR 4 (F) Plays Brine Shrimp (4), Quinn, Lorina, Lucy
  • The Brine Shrimp
    They sing along to ukulele songs, they are earnest, often kind, sometimes kind of judgy. The brine shrimp are played using sock puppets.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Royston
    A director. Did not read the play before agreeing to this. Doesn't like the play since he read it. Probably a puppet.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • The Other Writers
    Huck (has a lot of opinions), Lucy (has a fascinating and intimidating career history), Chuck (has gone Hollywood). Sock puppets.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • The Actors
    Rosalinda (works very very hard to be the best), Ryan (has been on Law and Order five times), Quinn (is totally miscast and shouldn't be there). You guessed it. Socks.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Dinah
    Allison's wife. A human. Not good in emergency situations.
    35ish
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Lorina
    A dramaturg. Mostly on the phone. Travel issues.
    35ish
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Beth
    A theatre agent. Tiny part.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Allison
    a playwright who lives in Utah. Has serious Scooter the Muppet vibes, would rather sleep than put on make up, would rather make a joke than take things seriously, thought she would stop being awkward by 35, strong preference that she is not white
    35
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Bianca
    A theatre producer in her early 30s. She seems to be 70% coffee and 30% anxiety. She might never have left New York before. A human.
    20-30s
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Production History

  • Professional, 2020

Awards

  • Bay Area Playwrights Festival
    Playwrights Foundation
    Semi-Finalist
    2019