Perchance to Dream

by Rachel Luann Strayer

SHORT ONE ACT PLAY. Alcy is struggling with sleep paralysis and nightmares. The strange thing is that her sister, Seph, seems to be experiencing the nightmares along with her. As the sisters navigate a landscape of night terrors and shadow people, Alcy unravels the secret that brought them together and the truth that might tear them apart.

SHORT ONE ACT PLAY. Alcy is struggling with sleep paralysis and nightmares. The strange thing is that her sister, Seph, seems to be experiencing the nightmares along with her. As the sisters navigate a landscape of night terrors and shadow people, Alcy unravels the secret that brought them together and the truth that might tear them apart.

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Perchance to Dream

Recommended by

  • Ky Weeks: Perchance to Dream by Rachel Luann Strayer
    “

    Strayer's writing turns and spirals, guiding us along through the story's many twists, like the words are guiding us down a path of horrors where the only path is deeper in. Terrific and horrifying.

    Strayer's writing turns and spirals, guiding us along through the story's many twists, like the words are guiding us down a path of horrors where the only path is deeper in. Terrific and horrifying.

    ”
  • Jordan Elizabeth: Perchance to Dream by Rachel Luann Strayer
    “

    absolutely chilling. absolutely gut-wrenching. Strayer has created something here that feels like nightmare and embodies terror and panic. beautiful and brutal in its intensity, honesty, and theatricality.

    absolutely chilling. absolutely gut-wrenching. Strayer has created something here that feels like nightmare and embodies terror and panic. beautiful and brutal in its intensity, honesty, and theatricality.

    ”

Character Information

  • Alcy
    Seph's sister. Alcy could be the same age as Seph (a twin) or older than Seph.
    16+
    Any
    Female / Female Identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Seph
    Alcy's sister. Seph could be the same age as Alcy (a twin) or younger than Alcy. Feel free to create as vast an age difference as you would like between the two women. Seph is not bound by literal time the way Alcy is.
    12+
    Any
    Female / Female Identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Shadow Man
    The Shadow Man represents a male relative of the two sisters. He is part nightmare, part memory, and can be as realistic or fantastical as the production demands.
    Adult
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Doctor
    The Doctor is a nightmare interpretation of a literal person or persons and can be as realistic or fantastical as the production demands.
    Adult
    Any
    Any gender
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Shadow People (2 or more)
    The Shadow People are a constant threat to Alcy and Seph, always lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike. They can take any form the production demands.
    Any age
    Any
    Any gender

Production History

  • High School, Clear Lake High School, 2022