The Eighteenth Quinquennial Endlings Picnic

by Jillian Blevins

10-MINUTE ENVIRONMENTALIST EXTINCTION COMEDY. Five Endlings--the last living animals of each of their respective species--meet for a picnic. The passing of the picnic’s founder, Lonesome George, has the surviving participants at odds: do they have a duty to use their remaining time to fight back against the cause of mass extinction, or is it enough to seek joy and solace in each other?

10-MINUTE ENVIRONMENTALIST EXTINCTION COMEDY. Five Endlings--the last living animals of each of their respective species--meet for a picnic. The passing of the picnic’s founder, Lonesome George, has the surviving participants at odds: do they have a duty to use their remaining time to fight back against the cause of mass extinction, or is it enough to seek joy and solace in each other?

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The Eighteenth Quinquennial Endlings Picnic

Recommended by

  • Cam Eickmeyer: The Eighteenth Quinquennial Endlings Picnic

    Existential dread of mortality is on the menu alongside a heaping portion of guilt for the damage we humans cause. Fantastic dialogue and very well defined characters stand out throughout this short comedy. Would be a ton of fun for actors too.

    Existential dread of mortality is on the menu alongside a heaping portion of guilt for the damage we humans cause. Fantastic dialogue and very well defined characters stand out throughout this short comedy. Would be a ton of fun for actors too.

  • Stephen Kaplan: The Eighteenth Quinquennial Endlings Picnic

    A lovely and haunting piece about the environment that finds humor alongside pathos. It was selected as part of our student-directed one-act play festival and was well received by the audience, and the cast and director had a blast working on it.

    A lovely and haunting piece about the environment that finds humor alongside pathos. It was selected as part of our student-directed one-act play festival and was well received by the audience, and the cast and director had a blast working on it.

  • Jacquelyn Floyd-Priskorn: The Eighteenth Quinquennial Endlings Picnic

    This play starts out so fun and colorful, with people dressed as animals at a picnic. But then we realize the reason for their gathering, the mood changes. But this is a great way to bring up the subject. Each of the animals have similar tactics to the way humans are dealing with the end of their species, rage, awareness campaigns, gathering. It's relatable, and melancholy. But at least it is being spoken about. And that is beautiful.

    This play starts out so fun and colorful, with people dressed as animals at a picnic. But then we realize the reason for their gathering, the mood changes. But this is a great way to bring up the subject. Each of the animals have similar tactics to the way humans are dealing with the end of their species, rage, awareness campaigns, gathering. It's relatable, and melancholy. But at least it is being spoken about. And that is beautiful.

View all 19 recommendations

Character Information

All characters can be played by actors of any age, race, or gender.
  • OLIVE
    a Black Rhino. Dutiful.
  • MARTIN
    a Panamanian Golden Frog. Depressed.
  • TANYA
    a Scimitar Oryx. Anxious
  • CARL
    a Mountain Gorilla. Reasonable.
  • ELIZABETH
    an Amur Leopard. Passionate.

Production History

  • Type High School, Organization Academy of Visual and Performing Arts at Bergen County Academies, Year 2024
  • Type Professional, Organization Yun Theatre, Year 2023