Coronation

by Peter Fenton

Full-length. At Chamber Stone High, it’s easy to overlook senior Dan Park: He’s skinny. He’s awkward. But you’d be wrong to count him out: Dan Park is a schemer holding a grudge.

When Dan is cornered by the no-nonsense guidance counselor, he tells the story of how he hatched a scheme to manipulate the vote for Homecoming Queen in favor of Maria Rojas, his oldest and truest friend—a big-hearted field hockey...

Full-length. At Chamber Stone High, it’s easy to overlook senior Dan Park: He’s skinny. He’s awkward. But you’d be wrong to count him out: Dan Park is a schemer holding a grudge.

When Dan is cornered by the no-nonsense guidance counselor, he tells the story of how he hatched a scheme to manipulate the vote for Homecoming Queen in favor of Maria Rojas, his oldest and truest friend—a big-hearted field hockey goalie who works the cash register at Chick-fil-A. As Maria’s standing rises on (allegedly) nothing but her authentic charm, the effortlessly privileged (including a cold class president, a bubbly cheer captain, and an all-loving golden boy) go to war with each other. All this to say: Dan’s plan went horribly right.

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

Coronation

Recommended by

  • Rebecca Kane: Coronation by Peter Fenton
    “

    I'm consistently amazed at the way Peter Fenton gets such unique & colorful characters, clever dialogue, and laugh-out-loud jokes, all while never losing the heart of the play. I was pleasantly surprised at the compassion I felt for these characters, no matter how bad their decisions (in a way that somehow just makes them more realistic and layered). Side note: I'd love Maria Rojas to be my president one day.

    I'm consistently amazed at the way Peter Fenton gets such unique & colorful characters, clever dialogue, and laugh-out-loud jokes, all while never losing the heart of the play. I was pleasantly surprised at the compassion I felt for these characters, no matter how bad their decisions (in a way that somehow just makes them more realistic and layered). Side note: I'd love Maria Rojas to be my president one day.

    ”
  • Emmy Kuperschmid: Coronation by Peter Fenton
    “

    "Coronation" is an absolute delight! I saw a staged reading at the Spotlight New Works Festival and really enjoyed how Fenton both leaned into and subverted traditional high school archetypes. The structure of the play is engaging, and the characters are easy to root for, even (especially?) when they're being "unlikable". I could see young actors having a blast with this script--I certainly did as an audience member!

    "Coronation" is an absolute delight! I saw a staged reading at the Spotlight New Works Festival and really enjoyed how Fenton both leaned into and subverted traditional high school archetypes. The structure of the play is engaging, and the characters are easy to root for, even (especially?) when they're being "unlikable". I could see young actors having a blast with this script--I certainly did as an audience member!

    ”
  • Adam Richter: Coronation by Peter Fenton
    “

    "Coronation" is my new favorite high-school comedy. (Sorry, Ferris.) Peter Fenton weaves a complex tale of politics, gossip and teen drama that hits all the right notes while at the same time giving the audience something completely unexpected.
    What I loved most about it is how Fenton sets up familiar character tropes then shatters them, one by one, giving us an original story that feels more true to life than almost anything Hollywood has done since the '80s.

    "Coronation" is my new favorite high-school comedy. (Sorry, Ferris.) Peter Fenton weaves a complex tale of politics, gossip and teen drama that hits all the right notes while at the same time giving the audience something completely unexpected.
    What I loved most about it is how Fenton sets up familiar character tropes then shatters them, one by one, giving us an original story that feels more true to life than almost anything Hollywood has done since the '80s.

    ”
View all 14 recommendations

Character Information

This play is about class rather than race. While DAN and MARIA are respectively conceived as East Asian and Latina, other or additional marginalized communities may be represented through DAN and MARIA (ethnicity, socioeconomic background, religion, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, neurotype, or any intersection thereof). Their surnames may be adjusted to reflect the community they come from.
  • Dan Park
    The witty, wounded director of the morning announcements. Resents being overlooked and wants to prove how shallow his school is by burning the world down. On the short and skinny side, still wears tighty whities.
    17
    Any,
    Asian -- East Asian
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Maria Rojas
    The perky, all-loving field hockey goalie and omni-disciplinary artist bounding through the margins of school with surprising cunning. She wants to make connections. Works the cash register at Chick-fil-A.
    17
    Any,
    Latino
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary,
      Woman
  • Mrs. Lowry
    Major Role. The dry-humored, sporty guidance counselor who remembers being seventeen. She has called Dan into her office and won’t let him go until he realizes what he’s done. Might be playing a game of her own.
    40s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Janelle Bordeaux
    Major Role. The bubbly cheer captain, moderately talented theater kid, and odds-on favorite to win Homecoming Queen. She wishes to be seen for more than her looks (but yes, please do see her looks).
    18
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Candice Davenport
    Major Role. The Princeton-bound student council president. Clever and ambitious, she knows she’s respected--she just wishes people liked her. Owns a marked-up copy of HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE.
    17
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Bryan McGrath
    Major Role. The athletic, easygoing student council treasurer. He’s dating Candice and just wants everyone to enjoy senior year. Might be unaware the girls are at war; his teeth might audibly glisten.
    18
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man

Development History

  • Workshop, Stansbury High School, 2026
  • Reading, Spotlight New Works Fest, 2026
  • Reading, Fenton Productions, 2025
  • Workshop, Newtown Arts Company, 2024
  • Workshop, Lake-Lehman High School, 2024

Awards

  • Spotlight New Works Festival
    Selection
    2026
  • 12th Annual Inkslinger Playwriting Contest
    Southeastern Louisiana University
    Semi-Finalist
    2025