Trapped

by Adam Richter

(10 MINUTES)
"Trapped" is a short play that looks at what could happen to someone whose only contact with the outside world was via social media. In it, Rapunzel is trapped in her tower by Mother Gothel, but one day a prince visits who gives her a smartphone as a present. Rapunzel uses it to learn about the outside world, but instead of really learning anything she falls for hoaxes and false rumors on Facebook...

(10 MINUTES)
"Trapped" is a short play that looks at what could happen to someone whose only contact with the outside world was via social media. In it, Rapunzel is trapped in her tower by Mother Gothel, but one day a prince visits who gives her a smartphone as a present. Rapunzel uses it to learn about the outside world, but instead of really learning anything she falls for hoaxes and false rumors on Facebook.

The two characters in the play are women: One to play Rapunzel, one to play Mother Gothel. The staging requirements are simple: just two chairs. Props would include Rapunzel’s long hair and a smartphone.

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Trapped

Recommended by

  • Paul Donnelly: Trapped by Adam Richter
    “

    This witty play has a depressing truth about the pernicious effects of the internet at its core. Let's hope that heading out into the world will relieve Rapunzel of the lies and hoaxes that have seduced her. The closing image really nails the seductive power of the screen.

    This witty play has a depressing truth about the pernicious effects of the internet at its core. Let's hope that heading out into the world will relieve Rapunzel of the lies and hoaxes that have seduced her. The closing image really nails the seductive power of the screen.

    ”
  • Morey Norkin: Trapped by Adam Richter
    “

    What a brilliant turn on a classic fairytale! Rapunzel, locked in a tower for 18 years, spends one day with her first smartphone and she’s buying into every conspiracy theory the internet has to offer. Her Mother, realizing she may have made a parenting mistake, perfectly sums up the play and the undesirable effect of modern technology on our lives. You need to read it in context to fully enjoy it! So read and enjoy!

    What a brilliant turn on a classic fairytale! Rapunzel, locked in a tower for 18 years, spends one day with her first smartphone and she’s buying into every conspiracy theory the internet has to offer. Her Mother, realizing she may have made a parenting mistake, perfectly sums up the play and the undesirable effect of modern technology on our lives. You need to read it in context to fully enjoy it! So read and enjoy!

    ”
  • Debra A. Cole: Trapped by Adam Richter
    “

    PERFECTION. Usually, when a human is not told something, they fill in the details from their own imagination whether wrong or right. Instead, in this short play by ADAM RICHTER, the internet, and all its stupidity, has done the work for the imagination... and done it VERY POORLY! I would LOVE to see this produced. It speaks to most of what is wrong with the world today.

    PERFECTION. Usually, when a human is not told something, they fill in the details from their own imagination whether wrong or right. Instead, in this short play by ADAM RICHTER, the internet, and all its stupidity, has done the work for the imagination... and done it VERY POORLY! I would LOVE to see this produced. It speaks to most of what is wrong with the world today.

    ”
View all 11 recommendations

Production History

  • Fringe, Reading Theater Project, 2018

Awards

  • 2021 Stage It! 10-Minute Play Festival
    Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs
    Semi-Finalist
    2021