Raccoon Play

by SMJ .

FULL-LENGTH (Draft as of 6.12.26)
On Election Night, the five Millennials (and one Gen Zer) who make up the Danville, OH Lions Club eagerly await the results. However, the inner drama within the group, a missing member, a conspiracy theory about a school shooting not too far away, and the lack of resources for the 79th Annual Raccoon Dinner threaten to ruin more than just the positive vibe. Meanwhile, President...

FULL-LENGTH (Draft as of 6.12.26)
On Election Night, the five Millennials (and one Gen Zer) who make up the Danville, OH Lions Club eagerly await the results. However, the inner drama within the group, a missing member, a conspiracy theory about a school shooting not too far away, and the lack of resources for the 79th Annual Raccoon Dinner threaten to ruin more than just the positive vibe. Meanwhile, President Sly Cooper, a literal Raccoon, addresses the Danville, OH Raccoon Club after declaring martial law due to dubious election results. Facing an insurrection and a mole in their camp, Sly and her minions must find a way to bring their population to heel. Raccoon Play is a satire examining how conspiracy theories threaten to destroy small-town America.

CONTENT WARNING: Gun Violence, Transphobic Language

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Raccoon Play

Recommended by

  • Elizabeth Nowak: Raccoon Play by SMJ .
    “

    “Raccoon Play” is a suspenseful horror comedy rooted in the here and now. Striking, surprising, and a must-read.

    “Raccoon Play” is a suspenseful horror comedy rooted in the here and now. Striking, surprising, and a must-read.

    ”
  • Red Theater: Raccoon Play by SMJ .
    “

    A seething satire that punches you right in the gut mid-doomscroll. SMJ deftly uses surrealism and humor to shine a flashlight on the underbelly of today's American Everyman. This play is both a horrifying cautionary tale and an unexpected call to empathy that your brain won't soon let go of.

    A seething satire that punches you right in the gut mid-doomscroll. SMJ deftly uses surrealism and humor to shine a flashlight on the underbelly of today's American Everyman. This play is both a horrifying cautionary tale and an unexpected call to empathy that your brain won't soon let go of.

    ”
  • Leah Roth Barsanti: Raccoon Play by SMJ .
    “

    This is terrifying and hilarious and unhinged and fabulous. It's a rare play that makes you feel like you're strapped in to a rollercoaster and can't fully breathe until the ride ends, but "Raccoon Play" gives exactly that to a reader, and I'm sure it would be even better on stage. Vital, current, and maybe even a little Marxist, it's the sort of play we need right now.

    This is terrifying and hilarious and unhinged and fabulous. It's a rare play that makes you feel like you're strapped in to a rollercoaster and can't fully breathe until the ride ends, but "Raccoon Play" gives exactly that to a reader, and I'm sure it would be even better on stage. Vital, current, and maybe even a little Marxist, it's the sort of play we need right now.

    ”
View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

All humans double as a raccoon.

The cast is entirely white, but should be directed by a person of color as this play is a critique of white, queer conservatives and white supremacy.
  • Sandy / Sly Cooper
    SANDY (Human) - President of the Lions Club
    SLY COOPER (Raccoon) - President of the Raccoons Club
    20s / 2
    White
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Pat / Nook
    Pat (Human) - Vice President of the Lions Club
    Nook (Raccoon) - Vice President of the Raccoons Club
    20s / 2
    White
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • CB / Aurora
    CB (Human) - Happy to be in the Lions Club
    Rocky (Raccoon) - Social Media for the Raccoons Club
    20s / 2
    White
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary,
      Woman
  • CC
    CC (Human) - Treasurer of the Lions Club
    20s
    White
    Non-binary,
    Assigned female at birth
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary
  • Tomi / Bandit
    Tomi (Human) - Tail Twister of the Lions Club
    Bandit (Raccoon) - A Member of the Raccoons Club
    20s / 2
    White
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Erica / Rocket
    Erica (Human) - Secretary of the Lions Club
    Aurora (Raccoon) - Secretary of the Raccoons Club
    20s / 2
    White
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman

Development History

  • Residency, Dramatists Guild Foundation, 2023
  • Reading, Philly Theatre Week at Arden Theatre Company, 2023

Production History

Awards