Toxic by Rachel Bublitz

ONE ACT: Football is life, and boys are men in this twenty minute one act about gender roles. Chris is having a day the worst day of his young life, he’s been dumped by his girlfriend, and is possibly kicked off the football team, when he accidentally hits a raccoon. When he discovers the animal is dead everything proves too much and Chris falls to pieces, which prompts Brandon, his best friend and most true...
ONE ACT: Football is life, and boys are men in this twenty minute one act about gender roles. Chris is having a day the worst day of his young life, he’s been dumped by his girlfriend, and is possibly kicked off the football team, when he accidentally hits a raccoon. When he discovers the animal is dead everything proves too much and Chris falls to pieces, which prompts Brandon, his best friend and most true worshiper, to follow suit. Because if the star of your life isn’t a star, what does that make you? Toxic is a fast ride about status, masculinity, and how people are and are not allowed to behave.
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Toxic

Recommended by

  • Paul Donnelly:
    13 Aug. 2022
    “ A chilling and utterly compelling portrait of the lies and self-loathing undergirding most toxic masculinity. These two young men are clearly drawn and the shifting dynamic between them is riveting. The final moments are harrowing and depressing and ring regrettably true. This is a powerful and important work. ”
  • Cheryl Bear:
    6 Jul. 2020
    “ A spectacular capture of the toxic masculinity that defines the self esteem of many young men and leads to the squashing of compassion. Well done. ”
  • Nicholas Dunn:
    30 Aug. 2018
    “ Bublitz captures the fragility and combustibility of masculinity that pervades the lives of young men trying to find their worth in the world. The play is a deft balancing act of portraying men who try to adhere to social expectations without defaulting to caricatures. Intense, relevant, and authentic. ”
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Character Information

  • Chris
    18 or 19,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    A senior in high school. The varsity quarterback for the school’s football team, as well as the team’s captain. Attractive and knows it. Kinda tough, moves with a definite swagger. Worshipped by many. Young for his age. Wears his varsity jacket everywhere.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Brandon
    18 or 19,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    A senior in high school. The varsity long snapper on the school’s football team. Less attractive than Chris, smaller too. Looks up to Chris as the older brother/dad figure he never had. Also wears his varsity jacket everywhere.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Wasatch Theatre Company
    ,
    2019
  • Professional
    ,
    Wet Paint New Play Festival
    ,
    2019

Awards

Finalist
,
Warner International Playwrights Festival
,
Warner Theatre
,
2017