Circling the Tank

by Emily McClain

A freshwater fish tank family experiences an impending apocalypse when they realize their owner is contemplating suicide.

A freshwater fish tank family experiences an impending apocalypse when they realize their owner is contemplating suicide.

  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Library

Circling the Tank

Recommended by

  • Greg Mandryk: Circling the Tank by Emily McClain
    “

    If you have a costumer and set designer who are chomping at the bit to flex some creative muscle, this your show! Its production photos will certainly be more eye-catching than the people-on-a-sofa photos most theatre companies use for their websites. Apart from the visual possibilities, this play is full of heart and humor and is just demanding to be performed.

    If you have a costumer and set designer who are chomping at the bit to flex some creative muscle, this your show! Its production photos will certainly be more eye-catching than the people-on-a-sofa photos most theatre companies use for their websites. Apart from the visual possibilities, this play is full of heart and humor and is just demanding to be performed.

    ”
  • Christopher Plumridge: Circling the Tank by Emily McClain
    “

    Darkly funny, yet poignant, I can't help making friends with this tank of fish, I wish I could feed them myself.
    Circling The Tank is a great short play which I would love to see staged.

    Darkly funny, yet poignant, I can't help making friends with this tank of fish, I wish I could feed them myself.
    Circling The Tank is a great short play which I would love to see staged.

    ”
  • Nora Louise Syran: Circling the Tank by Emily McClain
    “

    I had the good fortune to listen to a reading of this short play during the pandemic when we were all feeling like we were "circling the tank." It was entirely fitting then and equally so now with its focus on mental health. Dark, satirical and full of humor. It was one of the first ten minute plays I'd heard in a reading and I'm glad to see it here on NPX. Brava.

    I had the good fortune to listen to a reading of this short play during the pandemic when we were all feeling like we were "circling the tank." It was entirely fitting then and equally so now with its focus on mental health. Dark, satirical and full of humor. It was one of the first ten minute plays I'd heard in a reading and I'm glad to see it here on NPX. Brava.

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

Wallace is a voiceover and may be done live or pre-recorded.
  • Lorraine
    Freshwater Angelfish
    Any Age
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Oscar
    Tiger Oscar Fish
    Any Age
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Archimedes
    Freshwater Gar
    Any Age
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Molly
    Common Molly Fish
    Any Age
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Lloyd
    Pet Catfish
    Any Age
    Any
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary
  • Wallace
    Any Age
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man

Production History

  • University, Purdue, 2020