PRACTICE HOUSE

by Rachael Carnes

Full-Length: A university campus — 1933. Women receive training in home economics, "A tool of the utmost importance in building up forces which increase physical well-being of the population," writes Albert Mann, Dean of the New York College of Agriculture. "And which make for a reduction in the number of persons thrown back to the state for support by reason of physical, mental, or moral failure.”

Practice...

Full-Length: A university campus — 1933. Women receive training in home economics, "A tool of the utmost importance in building up forces which increase physical well-being of the population," writes Albert Mann, Dean of the New York College of Agriculture. "And which make for a reduction in the number of persons thrown back to the state for support by reason of physical, mental, or moral failure.”

Practice House is a 2019 New Dramatists Princess Grace Award Semi-Finalist.

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PRACTICE HOUSE

Recommended by

  • Oded Gross: PRACTICE HOUSE by Rachael Carnes
    “

    A stylized, funny yet provocative satire that left me thinking for some time about our history, our present and our future. Rachel deftly threads the needle between comedy and drama in this history repeats itself dystopian tale that sadly seems too likely to come true. Very well done!

    A stylized, funny yet provocative satire that left me thinking for some time about our history, our present and our future. Rachel deftly threads the needle between comedy and drama in this history repeats itself dystopian tale that sadly seems too likely to come true. Very well done!

    ”
  • Donna Hoke: PRACTICE HOUSE by Rachael Carnes
    “

    Aw! This is adorable and funny and yay for the accepting sports parent! Audiences will love this one!

    Aw! This is adorable and funny and yay for the accepting sports parent! Audiences will love this one!

    ”
  • Aimee Gerow: PRACTICE HOUSE by Rachael Carnes
    “

    This play swings between humor and stark reality in wide arcs. It keeps you just off- balance enough to want to know what's happening next. The line between fable and reality is scarily thin and Carnes balances that fine line with skill.

    This play swings between humor and stark reality in wide arcs. It keeps you just off- balance enough to want to know what's happening next. The line between fable and reality is scarily thin and Carnes balances that fine line with skill.

    ”
View all 25 recommendations

Character Information

Roles for five women in their 20's (or 30's) and one man, any age.
  • BETSY
    Adult
    Any
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • JENNIE CLAIRE
    Adult
    Any
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • VIOLA
    Adult
    Any
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • MISS VAN ROSE
    Adult
    Any
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • ELMA
    Adult
    Any
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • RADIO ANNOUNCER
    This character is never seen onstage. Depending on the production, this could be a voiceover role with sound cues.
    Adult
    Any
    Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Reading, Ten Bucks Theatre, Bangor, ME, 2022
  • Workshop, Mid American Theatre Conference New Play Development Series , 2020
  • Reading, Great Plains Theatre Conference , 2020
  • Workshop, Sewanee Writer's Conference , 2019
  • Workshop, Roly Poly Productions, NYC, 2019
  • Workshop, Normal Ave., NYC, semi-finalist for NAP Series , 2019
  • Reading, Seven Devil's Festival, semi-finalist , 2019

Production History

  • Professional, Great Plains Theatre Conference PlayFest , 2023

Awards

  • International Playwriting Award
    Theatre503 London
    Semi-Finalist
    2020
  • Eugene O'Neill Theatre Conference
    Semi-Finalist
    2020