Call Time

by Deb Hiett

A group of misfit drama kids break into their abandoned high school auditorium in search of one last night of connection, hope, rhymes, and Fritos. (SEMIFINALIST, Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival 2022 & Ashland New Play Festival 2019)

A group of misfit drama kids break into their abandoned high school auditorium in search of one last night of connection, hope, rhymes, and Fritos. (SEMIFINALIST, Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival 2022 & Ashland New Play Festival 2019)

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Call Time

Recommended by

  • Richard Kuhlman: Call Time by Deb Hiett
    “

    This wonderfully haunting play took me back to my own teen years of adventures in high school drama club / summer theatre / college theatre days. I wanted to hug every character and beg them to let me in-- to share their passions and fears and success-- and they let me in!

    This wonderfully haunting play took me back to my own teen years of adventures in high school drama club / summer theatre / college theatre days. I wanted to hug every character and beg them to let me in-- to share their passions and fears and success-- and they let me in!

    ”
  • Sam Baird: Call Time by Deb Hiett
    “

    This play made me pretty nostalgic thinking about my time in high school theatre. I love that the theme isn’t just about the high school experience itself, but that it takes place in a theatre as well. As a director, I can see this being produced with little to no set (since the theatre is the set). I love that it opens and closes with reference to the ghost light. Something about that really spoke to me.

    This play made me pretty nostalgic thinking about my time in high school theatre. I love that the theme isn’t just about the high school experience itself, but that it takes place in a theatre as well. As a director, I can see this being produced with little to no set (since the theatre is the set). I love that it opens and closes with reference to the ghost light. Something about that really spoke to me.

    ”
NEWT: (non-gender-specific*) small, skittish, crafty, observant, high school freshman, non race-specific
GAGE: (M) natural leader, artistic, teenager, high school senior, non race-specific
KAI: (F) witty, techy, teenager, high school senior, non race-specific
TATTS: (non-gender-specific*) nervous, dreamer, teenager, high school senior, non race-specific
LEX: (F) photographer, skater, teenager, high school senior, non race-specific
GUNNER: (M) mouthy, flamboyant, teenager, high school senior, non race-specific
LILA: (F) private school transfer, future famous actress, teenager, high school senior, non race-specific

Where the role is indicated as "non-gender specific," please adjust pronouns as desired.

Any of these characters could dive into a rap or a song, or beatbox, or maybe pick up an instrument, with extreme earnestness, at any time. But it should never feel too rehearsed, or perfect, or performative. They play for themselves and for their phone cams.

Development History

  • Reading, Playwrights Union, 2019

Awards

  • Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival
    Dramatists Guild
    Semi-Finalist
    2022