The Care and Feeding of Small Animals

by Brooke-Erin Smith

FULL-LENGTH: At the end of the world, two genetically engineered children are entrusted with the survival of the human race. Held in a restricted campus, they grapple with their extreme responsibility while testing the boundaries of what they are and are not permitted to do as saviors of the world.

FULL-LENGTH: At the end of the world, two genetically engineered children are entrusted with the survival of the human race. Held in a restricted campus, they grapple with their extreme responsibility while testing the boundaries of what they are and are not permitted to do as saviors of the world.

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The Care and Feeding of Small Animals

Recommended by

  • Playwrights Foundation: The Care and Feeding of Small Animals

    The community of national and local readers for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival in 2021 enthusiastically recommends THE CARE AND FEEDING OF SMALL ANIMALS as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation out of 755 plays. We were deeply moved by the moments of tension and relationship building between Sis and William. We were compelled by the formal experimentation, puppetry, and the sense of whimsy the playwright is using to create in the more dark, sinister world of the play. We hope this play is widely read, finds dedicated collaborators, and moves swiftly towards production. #BAPF2021

    The community of national and local readers for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival in 2021 enthusiastically recommends THE CARE AND FEEDING OF SMALL ANIMALS as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation out of 755 plays. We were deeply moved by the moments of tension and relationship building between Sis and William. We were compelled by the formal experimentation, puppetry, and the sense of whimsy the playwright is using to create in the more dark, sinister world of the play. We hope this play is widely read, finds dedicated collaborators, and moves swiftly towards production. #BAPF2021

  • Rachael Carnes: The Care and Feeding of Small Animals

    How can those entrusted with the future have a hope to lead, if their worlds only know limitations? The magnetic language cadence and multi-faceted characterization - the way the world of the play slowly builds - feels so theatrical. Deeply imagistic one moment, then hinging steeply to embrace the nuances and subtleties of connection, underscore the writer's keen facility for the dynamics of size and scale. A terrifying, breathtaking, and - human - play.

    How can those entrusted with the future have a hope to lead, if their worlds only know limitations? The magnetic language cadence and multi-faceted characterization - the way the world of the play slowly builds - feels so theatrical. Deeply imagistic one moment, then hinging steeply to embrace the nuances and subtleties of connection, underscore the writer's keen facility for the dynamics of size and scale. A terrifying, breathtaking, and - human - play.

  • Rachel Bykowski: The Care and Feeding of Small Animals

    A timely, necessary play that dares to venture into the unknown future of a world (our world) in the brink of collapse. Audiences watch the creation of friendship and love attempt to survive a dystopian future and dare question their creators’ purpose and define their own destinies.

    A timely, necessary play that dares to venture into the unknown future of a world (our world) in the brink of collapse. Audiences watch the creation of friendship and love attempt to survive a dystopian future and dare question their creators’ purpose and define their own destinies.

View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

  • SIS / MRS. REYNOLDS / GIRL
    A young girl, the voice of a middle-aged puppet, and a similar young girl.
  • WILLIAM / MR. PRITCHETT
    A young boy, the voice of a middle-aged puppet.
  • PUPPETEER 1
    A puppeteer controlling the body of Mrs. Reynolds.
  • PUPPETEER 2
    A puppeteer controlling the body of Mr. Pritchett.

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Mirrorbox Theatre, Year 2021

Awards

  • Bay Area Playwrights Festival
    Playwrights Foundation
    Semi-Finalist
    2021