Paradoxical Contact

by Emma Grace Imes

A broken improv troupe and an alien culture enthusiast walk into a SETI research campus and are tasked with creating a new “creative” message to send out to a potential alien neighbor. Communications between them on Earth fall apart. Old wounds are torn open all while the lonely dark sky looms overhead. Is there a solution to the Fermi Paradox? Where are all the aliens? Are we alone?

A broken improv troupe and an alien culture enthusiast walk into a SETI research campus and are tasked with creating a new “creative” message to send out to a potential alien neighbor. Communications between them on Earth fall apart. Old wounds are torn open all while the lonely dark sky looms overhead. Is there a solution to the Fermi Paradox? Where are all the aliens? Are we alone?

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Paradoxical Contact

Character Information

CAST Holly (She/Her) Late 20's/early 30's- Former member of the improv troupe. Now a SETI researcher leading the project.
Luke (He/Him) Early to mid 30's- Former member of the improv troupe. Joy's ex boyfriend.
Klazo (They/Them) 20's- Extraterrestrial culture enthusiast. Believes they were an alien in a past life. Longs to return to their true home.
Brook (She/Her) 20's Overweight/Plus Size/Fat- Current member of the improv troupe. Doesn't know her place in the world.
Joy (She/Her) 20's- Current member of the improv troupe. Natural born leader.
Gabby- Played by the actor who plays Brook.
Scientist One- Played by the actor who plays Joy.
Scientist Two- Played by the actor who plays Luke
Unkown Voice- An offstage voice.
Praying Mantis- An offstage voice
  • Holly
    Former member of the improv troupe. Now a SETI
    researcher leading the project.
    Late 20's- Early 30's
    Female / Female Identifying (she/her)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Joy
    Current member of the improv troupe. Natural born leader.
    20's
    Female / Female Identifying (she/her)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Klazo
    Extraterrestrial culture enthusiast. Believes they were an alien
    in a past life. Longs to return to their true home.
    20's
    Agender/Non-binary (they/them)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary
  • Brook
    Overweight/Plus Size/Fat- Current member of the improv troupe.
    Doesn't know her place in the world.
    20's-30's
    Female / Female Identifying (she/her)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Luke
    Former member of the improv troupe. Joy's ex
    boyfriend.
    30's
    Male (he/him)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Reading, Kentucky Playwright's inc. , 2020
  • Reading, Dramatist Guild Footlights Program, 2020