A Good Year by Philip Middleton Williams

Full-Length: (2022) Marc Griffin has landed his dream job of teaching English at a prestigious New England private day school. But he soon learns that the expectations of the parents and the students put him to the test, and the toughest lessons he learns are about himself as a teacher and a person.

The script is available at www.pmwplaywright.com.
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A Good Year

Recommended by

  • Ricardo Soltero-Brown:
    30 Nov. 2023
    “ Marc finds himself in some tense tête-à-têtes! Remarkable how Philip Middleton Williams draws his characters so completely, it's like reading the work of Edward Albee or Sam Shepard. There are wonderful tiny moments in the script, so precise, that it'd be remiss to dismiss them as director, designer, or actor. PMW has written a roadmap for a funny, vulnerable play about power dynamics, aging, honesty, and the implications of teaching: what does it mean to teach, what is its true purpose as one's purpose, and just who the hell is on the receiving end of the lesson? ”
  • Morey Norkin:
    11 Oct. 2023
    “ One of Philip Middleton Williams’s best, which is saying something! By the end of the first scene, the potential conflicts are clearly outlined, but by then you’re hooked and anxious to learn the details. The power dynamics at an upscale private school raise serious ethical questions for first-year teacher, Marc. And then there are his lingering feelings for a recent ex. It all plays out in great dramatic fashion. I always feel a little wiser after reading a Philip Middleton Williams play. Read and learn. ”
  • Sam Heyman:
    5 Oct. 2023
    “ Philip Middleton Williams has a remarkable knack for taking what could be a pulpy, melodramatic premise and imbuing it with just the right combination of humanity, humor, and heart. “A Good Year” bounces between every gay teacher’s nightmare and every gay man’s wet dream, but along the way, Williams demonstrates his well honed gifts at writing relationships, both between new acquaintances and former lovers. There’s a lot to admire in Williams’ characters as well, as each of the four roles gives their respective actor great material to work with. Excellent! ”
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Character Information

  • Marc Griffin
    Late twenties
    English teacher. Well-built.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Sandy Parker
    Late twenties
    Former partner of Marc.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Barry Kessler
    Late thirties
    A parent at the school.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Brian Kessler
    18
    Barry's son. Well-built, handsome.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male