THE CREATOR

by J.S. Puller

Sara and Zabrina swore that they would be friends forever. So it comes as quite a shock, when Sara returns from school one day and announces that she no longer wants Zabrina in her life. Afraid, Zabrina asks what will become of her, but Sara doesn’t answer. Who really knows what happens when someone dies? Let alone when an imaginary friend dies. Suddenly, Zabrina finds herself dropped into a strange, misty...

Sara and Zabrina swore that they would be friends forever. So it comes as quite a shock, when Sara returns from school one day and announces that she no longer wants Zabrina in her life. Afraid, Zabrina asks what will become of her, but Sara doesn’t answer. Who really knows what happens when someone dies? Let alone when an imaginary friend dies. Suddenly, Zabrina finds herself dropped into a strange, misty world, being forced to fill out all kinds of paperwork, answering questions about her friendship with Sara. Under the direction of Thalia, the Greek muse, Zabrina navigates the five stages of grief, represented by five other imaginary friends who have all met their end at the hands of “ungrateful children.” As she travels through denial, anger, depression, and bargaining, Zabrina reflects on her life with Sara—as protector, confidant, sister, and Amazon warrior—and the ways in which she helped Sara to deal with her rough and unforgiving father. But what happens when she finally finishes answering her questions? Will she be dead and gone forever? Will her life have been for nothing? And what will become of her beloved Sara, without her guidance and protection?

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THE CREATOR

Recommended by

  • Mike Byham: THE CREATOR

    THE CREATOR is an imaginative coming-of-age story with unexpected emotional impact. Beautifully wrought by J.S. Puller, the play moves with a brisk pace from start to satisfying finish. A joy to read and a must-have for scholastic theatre. Well done.

    THE CREATOR is an imaginative coming-of-age story with unexpected emotional impact. Beautifully wrought by J.S. Puller, the play moves with a brisk pace from start to satisfying finish. A joy to read and a must-have for scholastic theatre. Well done.

  • Maggie Smith: THE CREATOR

    "The Creator" is a beautiful story about what happens when we grow too old for imaginary friends. The reader experiences the stages of grief right along with Zabrina as she slowly accepts her new life without her human, Sara. Each scene gives us more and more details of the twos' relationship, and reaches an extremely satisfying conclusion, reminding me how much love I had for my own imaginary friends growing up. Wonderful work.

    "The Creator" is a beautiful story about what happens when we grow too old for imaginary friends. The reader experiences the stages of grief right along with Zabrina as she slowly accepts her new life without her human, Sara. Each scene gives us more and more details of the twos' relationship, and reaches an extremely satisfying conclusion, reminding me how much love I had for my own imaginary friends growing up. Wonderful work.

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Something Incredibly Marvelous Happens, Year 2014
  • Type Reading, Organization Purple Crayon Players, Year 2010
  • Type Reading, Organization Apple Tree Theatre, Year 2009

Production History

  • Type High School, Organization Massachusetts Education Theatre Guild Drama Festival, Year 2024
  • Type Community Theater, Organization Four Flags Players, Year 2010

Awards

  • Epiphanies New Works Festival
    Wild Imagingings
    Runner Up
    2024
  • Unpublished Play Reading Series
    American Alliance for Theatre and Education
    Winner
    2010
  • Marilyn Hall Play Competition for Youth Theatre
    Beverly Hills Theatre Guild
    Winner
    2009