Fear the Violinist

by Annie Schoonover

Kate wakes up in a hospital room, tied to a bed, with a mysterious tube attached to her body. A nurse informs her that on the other side of the wall is a dying man whose circulatory system is attached to Kate's. As long as Kate stays attached to him for nine months, he will live. Kate, who did not consent to this procedure, is desperate to escape, but must match wits with the nurse in order to do so. Based on a...

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Fear the Violinist

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Ayibatari Owei: Fear the Violinist by Annie Schoonover

“

How I felt reading this: I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream. This is a necessary read.

How I felt reading this: I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream. This is a necessary read.

”
Kate Isabel Foley: Fear the Violinist by Annie Schoonover

“

DEEPLY obsessed with this piece (and not just because Kate shares my name). Intense, gripping, and timely. It will haunt you in the best way possible.

DEEPLY obsessed with this piece (and not just because Kate shares my name). Intense, gripping, and timely. It will haunt you in the best way possible.

”
Cherielyn Ferguson: Fear the Violinist by Annie Schoonover

“

This play grabs you and doesn't let go. By the end you've been taken through every argument in favor of a woman's bodily autonomy as well as through the regressive counter-arguments thrown at us from the other side. Fear the Violinist received a terrific reading at the Lanford Wilson festival, one that showed us how important such plays are in these troubled times.

This play grabs you and doesn't let go. By the end you've been taken through every argument in favor of a woman's bodily autonomy as well as through the regressive counter-arguments thrown at us from the other side. Fear the Violinist received a terrific reading at the Lanford Wilson festival, one that showed us how important such plays are in these troubled times.

”

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Character Information

Kate

My ideal Kate is a plus-sized woman. I encourage you to consider trans women and women of color--especially Black women--for the role as well.

Character Age

Any age

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s,
  
  30s,
  
  40s,
  
  50s,
  
  60s,
  
  70s+
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Woman
Nurse

If casting a woman of color as the Nurse, ideally Kate should be a woman of color as well.

Character Age

Young

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s,
  
  30s,
  
  40s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Woman

Development History

Type Reading, Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival, Year 2026
Type Reading, Organization Mid-America Theatre Conference, Year 2026
Type Reading, Organization American College Theatre Festival, Year 2026

Production History

Type Professional, Organization Memoriam Development, Year 2026