DEATH BEFORE DECAF!! a dramatic retelling of heavily caffeinated events

by Quinn Xavier Hernandez

FULL-LENGTH – Deep in the bowels of a corporate-run cafe, a mythical and mysterious Icon yearns to return to the time of gathering, giving, and the simple pleasure of a perfect cup of coffee. Meanwhile, behind the counter, the cafe’s crew struggles to survive within the personality-flattening pressure of corporate policy and service culture. In one epic day of new barista training, /DEATH BEFORE DECAF!! a...

FULL-LENGTH – Deep in the bowels of a corporate-run cafe, a mythical and mysterious Icon yearns to return to the time of gathering, giving, and the simple pleasure of a perfect cup of coffee. Meanwhile, behind the counter, the cafe’s crew struggles to survive within the personality-flattening pressure of corporate policy and service culture. In one epic day of new barista training, /DEATH BEFORE DECAF!! a dramatic retelling of heavily caffeinated events/ welcomes us into their frenetic world, as the Icon reminds us all of the crucial truth: at the end of the day, it’s really just coffee.

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DEATH BEFORE DECAF!! a dramatic retelling of heavily caffeinated events

Recommended by

  • Ryan Hartley: DEATH BEFORE DECAF!! a dramatic retelling of heavily caffeinated events by Quinn Xavier Hernandez
    “

    Quinn Xavier Hernandez must've been a barista. They understand all too well the deep tension between protocol and intuitive decision-making that plagues the lower echelons of greed-happy corporate America. This struggle, in Hernandez's hands, is Apollo vs. Dionysus, but as baristas. Anyone who's worked corporate retail will recognize this series of tense scenes.

    Quinn Xavier Hernandez must've been a barista. They understand all too well the deep tension between protocol and intuitive decision-making that plagues the lower echelons of greed-happy corporate America. This struggle, in Hernandez's hands, is Apollo vs. Dionysus, but as baristas. Anyone who's worked corporate retail will recognize this series of tense scenes.

    ”
  • Adrian Baynard: DEATH BEFORE DECAF!! a dramatic retelling of heavily caffeinated events by Quinn Xavier Hernandez
    “

    A brave embrace of all elements that make theatre special, Death Before Decaf is a fun and wild ride. On the surface is a scathing examination of corporate America, but under its skin lies the question, where did empathy for the human element go in this money making juggernaut? This element is portrayed with care by the staff, with humorous cringe in regards to the customers, and explodes on to the stage with the Icon. Push the boundaries of the stage and warm your heart by producing this piece.

    A brave embrace of all elements that make theatre special, Death Before Decaf is a fun and wild ride. On the surface is a scathing examination of corporate America, but under its skin lies the question, where did empathy for the human element go in this money making juggernaut? This element is portrayed with care by the staff, with humorous cringe in regards to the customers, and explodes on to the stage with the Icon. Push the boundaries of the stage and warm your heart by producing this piece.

    ”
  • Imani Vaughn-Jones: DEATH BEFORE DECAF!! a dramatic retelling of heavily caffeinated events by Quinn Xavier Hernandez
    “

    DEATH BEFORE DECAF pulls back the curtain of your favorite coffee chain. Both funny and heartwrenching, the play invites us to take a look at the people behind the coffee, and explores the no man's land between capitalist fueled corporate structure and the incredibly human act of rendering a good or service. Tackling the coffee shop will be a treat for set designers while costumers (or even puppetmakers) will have a field day imagining the Icon.

    DEATH BEFORE DECAF pulls back the curtain of your favorite coffee chain. Both funny and heartwrenching, the play invites us to take a look at the people behind the coffee, and explores the no man's land between capitalist fueled corporate structure and the incredibly human act of rendering a good or service. Tackling the coffee shop will be a treat for set designers while costumers (or even puppetmakers) will have a field day imagining the Icon.

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

The actor playing the ICON should be a strong mover.
  • S.M.
    The Store Manager. An extension of corporate jargon.
    Unknown
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Icon
    A manifestation. Always lurking. Speaks in the language of coffee and coffeemakers.
    Ageless
    Any
    Femme-presenting
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Luisa
    Shift Supervisor. No nonsense. Does not have time for whining about work.
    Mid-to-Late 20s
    Latina
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Chris
    Barista. Laid back. Keeps his head down. Only speaks up if he must.
    30s
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Whitney
    Barista. Recently hired. Still getting used to the status quo. Feels like she can’t do anything right.
    Late Teens/Early 20s
    Black
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Johanna
    Barista Trainer. Has been working at the store the longest. Opinionated and not afraid to let others know.
    30s
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary

Development History

Awards

  • MayX New Play Lab
    Furman University Theatre
    Selection
    2021