A Night in the Woods

by H.E. Dunkle

One fateful night, Amber stumbles into the Graystone Woods, a magical forest haunted by Horace the Heartless. Amber has to evade Horace until sunrise if she wants to escape being turned into a woodland creature, and along the way she may need to confront a part of her life she's been ignoring. This enchanting and charming one-act is meant for all audiences and performers, with a heartfelt message of comfort in...

One fateful night, Amber stumbles into the Graystone Woods, a magical forest haunted by Horace the Heartless. Amber has to evade Horace until sunrise if she wants to escape being turned into a woodland creature, and along the way she may need to confront a part of her life she's been ignoring. This enchanting and charming one-act is meant for all audiences and performers, with a heartfelt message of comfort in the wake of loss.

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A Night in the Woods

Recommended by

  • Daniel Prillaman: A Night in the Woods by H.E. Dunkle
    “

    An endearing, delightful, and thoughtful exploration of grief and loss. Dunkle’s script is geared towards younger audiences, but holds a wisdom that you can appreciate and take in at any age. The opportunities here, too, for young actors and designers are just sublime, and the world is immediately infectious. Definitely something those participating in and viewing would just love in equal measure.

    An endearing, delightful, and thoughtful exploration of grief and loss. Dunkle’s script is geared towards younger audiences, but holds a wisdom that you can appreciate and take in at any age. The opportunities here, too, for young actors and designers are just sublime, and the world is immediately infectious. Definitely something those participating in and viewing would just love in equal measure.

    ”
  • David Hansen: A Night in the Woods by H.E. Dunkle
    “

    Dunkle has crafted a lovely and fantastic tale for children about coping with grief, and the compassion and comfort that can be discovered in found families. It has a powerful lesson, that life can be scary but also wonderful and that it is to be lived and not hidden from: the most difficult thing to accept is change. You can find hope in hopelessness, if you look for the fireflies. Highly recommended!

    Dunkle has crafted a lovely and fantastic tale for children about coping with grief, and the compassion and comfort that can be discovered in found families. It has a powerful lesson, that life can be scary but also wonderful and that it is to be lived and not hidden from: the most difficult thing to accept is change. You can find hope in hopelessness, if you look for the fireflies. Highly recommended!

    ”

Character Information

Ensemble of forest animals can be as large or small as you like or need.
  • Amber
    A determined girl with a lot
    on her heart.
    8-13
    Any
    Female,
    Female-presenting
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary,
      Woman
  • Darby
    A kind, energetic squirrel.
    8-13
    Any
    Male or male-presenting
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Eddie
    A practical deer with a fiery
    resolve.
    8-13
    Any
    Male or male-presenting
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Clement
    A big-sister bear with a
    caring heart.
    11-16
    Any
    Female,
    Female-presenting
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary,
      Woman
  • Horace the Heartless
    The mysterious and menacing
    wizard of the Graystone
    Woods.
    30s and up
    Any
    Male or male-presenting
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Forest Chorus
    An ensemble of children who have been transformed into forest animals.
    5-13
    Any
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens

Production History

  • Community Theater, The Mighty Corson Art Players, 2024