PERAMBULATORY: preambleastory by Haley Nelson

JP, 6, is scared. Samantha Louise, 8, writes stories that are “inappropriate.” The same could be said of teachers Miss Charlene and Mr. Boris making out at lunch, or of Samantha Louise’s always-gone Mother, or of JP’s Dad scaring his son with talk of taxes and disease. Nothing's working, but everyone’s trying their best; maybe there’s love in there somewhere. A play about kids for adults, PERAMBULATORY is...
JP, 6, is scared. Samantha Louise, 8, writes stories that are “inappropriate.” The same could be said of teachers Miss Charlene and Mr. Boris making out at lunch, or of Samantha Louise’s always-gone Mother, or of JP’s Dad scaring his son with talk of taxes and disease. Nothing's working, but everyone’s trying their best; maybe there’s love in there somewhere. A play about kids for adults, PERAMBULATORY is a 70-minute, joyful ride exploring how we cope with ourselves. Includes elements of dance/movement.
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PERAMBULATORY: preambleastory

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear:
    2 Aug. 2020
    “ An incredibly touching and moving piece from the perspective of children. Given a voice, they're finally able to express themselves to the grownups. There's chaos for us and them, we're all doing our best. Marvelous! ”
  • Shaun Leisher:
    24 Mar. 2019
    “ "You're a grown up and I've been told grown ups are smarter than kids so I guess I have to believe that."

    This line from the play is one that is going to stick with me for a long time and it I think it captures what the play is exploring. Parents have so much to learn from their kids and teachers have so much to learn from their students. I'm so glad that there's a play like this that looks at the innocence of childhood but also doesn't shy away from the struggles they have in a serious way. ”
  • Jack William Rodgers:
    14 May. 2018
    “ Was an audience member for the NVNV reading of this play. A beautiful look into the struggles of growing up and childhood. A producible and easy-to-connect-to play that is accessible for all ages. ”
View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

The two children are intended to be played by adults, for adults.

  • Samantha Louise
    8,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    She wears her hair in pigtails pretty much all the time. A young, if not slightly pretentious, small girl. She is in the third grade, but is ambitious well beyond her years. She seems to be a mix between an oil painting and a caricature – young but heavy-handed, with everything done in Technicolor and nothing staying inside the lines.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • JP
    6,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    A 6 year old boy. He wears a bicycle helmet when he walks to and from school. He is very cautious, at times anxious, and his greatest desire is to make a blue LEGO house - but there are never enough bricks, and there is never enough time.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Samantha Louise's Mom
    40,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    A therapist, and a single parent. Recently re-entered the dating pool.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • JP's Dad
    38,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    A school superintendent, widower, and helicopter dad.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Charlene
    26,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Samantha Louise’s 3rd grade teacher. Prim and soft.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Boris
    32,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    JP’s Kindergarten teacher. Handsome and sloppy. Having a passionate affair with his colleague, Charlene.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Imprint Theatreworks
    ,
    2019
  • Reading
    ,
    Imprint Theatreworks
    ,
    2018
  • Reading
    ,
    Southern Methodist University
    ,
    2017