Gut

by Alexander Attea

FULL LENGTH: It's 1822. A fur trader named Alexis St Martin gets shot (on accident) and ends up with an open wound in his chest, opening directly to his stomach. His doctor, William Beaumont, uses him and his wound to conduct studies on digestion for the next 11 years. And yes, this really happened. Plus, there’s a framing device of a bunch of other fur traders telling each other this story and acting it out...

FULL LENGTH: It's 1822. A fur trader named Alexis St Martin gets shot (on accident) and ends up with an open wound in his chest, opening directly to his stomach. His doctor, William Beaumont, uses him and his wound to conduct studies on digestion for the next 11 years. And yes, this really happened. Plus, there’s a framing device of a bunch of other fur traders telling each other this story and acting it out while they travel. It’s a ride.

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Gut

Recommended by

  • Sophia Brazda: Gut by Alexander Attea
    “

    One of the most interesting, wildly imaginative plays I've read in a long time. Lyrical in nature and constantly teetering between legend and history, science and humanity, 'Gut' reads like a fireside story and feels like a second or third-hand account of a great adventure. 10/10.

    One of the most interesting, wildly imaginative plays I've read in a long time. Lyrical in nature and constantly teetering between legend and history, science and humanity, 'Gut' reads like a fireside story and feels like a second or third-hand account of a great adventure. 10/10.

    ”

Character Information

  • FRANCOIS XAVIER
    The leader of the voyageurs; the guide. Narrates the story. He’s been a voyageur for many years. He knows the waterways and routes like second nature. Warm, wise, in tune with the quiet of nature and the inner workings of people.
    Late 30s - 40s
    Any
    Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • JEAN
    Plays Beaumont in the story. Maybe a bit ambitious, doesn’t quite connect with the others. More heady and intellectual, in a stoic way.
    20s - 30s
    Any
    Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      White
  • EDOUARD
    Rambunctious and fun-loving. The stereotypical idea of voyageurs as singing, smoking, drinking, hard-working
    folk. Inseparable from Bernard, like brothers. They poke each other, they hang on each other. When they fight, it’s sharp, tender, and easily forgotten.
    20s - 30s
    Any
    Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • BERNARD
    Rambunctious and fun-loving. The stereotypical idea of voyageurs as singing, smoking, drinking, hard-working
    folk. Inseparable from Edouard, like brothers. They poke each other, they hang on each other. When they fight, it’s sharp, tender, and easily forgotten.
    20s - 30s
    Any
    Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • GIGI
    Plays Alexis in the story. The youngest, quietest member of the group. He’s new to being a voyageur. He has to learn how.
    20s
    Any
    Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Reading, International Museum of Surgical Science, 2022
  • Residency, Mackinac State Historic Parks, 2022

Production History

  • Professional, Platform (a production company), 2023