Archer, Archer

by Karli Jean Lonnquist

[15 minute] It's 1981 in Centralia, Pennsylvania, and Vic, Thom, Stuart and Ro are discovering that their safe, ordinary world isn't exactly as stable as it seems. When the ground beneath their feet collapses during their weekly chess game, the players fall through the floor, and find themselves in a cavern buried deep within the Earth. Everything real has been swallowed by the darkness encroaching on all...

[15 minute] It's 1981 in Centralia, Pennsylvania, and Vic, Thom, Stuart and Ro are discovering that their safe, ordinary world isn't exactly as stable as it seems. When the ground beneath their feet collapses during their weekly chess game, the players fall through the floor, and find themselves in a cavern buried deep within the Earth. Everything real has been swallowed by the darkness encroaching on all sides. Everything, that is, except for the chess board and chess pieces, which remain in pristine condition. As emotional destruction accumulates alongside the ruination of the physical world, relationships begin to crumble and the lines of difference between each person begin to blur, the friends' innocent game of chess becomes their unfortunate reality.

Archer, Archer is a claustrophobic exploration of teenage relationships and what happens when everything that informs our individual identities begins to show cracks...

  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

Archer, Archer

Character Information

  • Vic
    16. Female. Absentminded, ethereal, soft spoken. Incessantly picks at her cuticles. Sees only the beautiful things about people. Always ready to tell you she loves you. The kind of lost that sends shivers down your spine.
    Character Age
    16
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race/Ethnicity
    Character Gender Identity
    a woman
  • Thom
    18. Male. Inquisitive, passionate, insidious. A spark that could burn entire forests to the ground. Compelling in a nightmarish sort of way. Often has trouble sleeping.
    Character Age
    18
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race/Ethnicity
    Character Gender Identity
    a man
  • Stuart
    16. Male. Snobbish, condescending. Wears a watch. Reminds you of a strange planet out of orbit. Speaks in shades of deep purple. Is somehow afraid of both nothing and everything at the same time.
    Character Age
    16
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race/Ethnicity
    Character Gender Identity
    a man
  • Ro
    15. Female. Unkempt, intense, artless, somewhat melodramatic. Loves watching rain fall. Hides behind her mischief. Misses things she’s never had.
    Character Age
    15
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race/Ethnicity
    Character Gender Identity
    a woman

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Cross the Line at Chapman University, Year 2023

Production History

  • Type High School, Organization Jesuit High School Portland Drama Department, Year 2021