Dru, a lonely teenager with sleep paralysis and the dream of going to college, is used to seeing things in her sleep. So when she sees Man in the middle of the night, she is not scared. Man tells her about his execution. Was he electrocuted, beheaded, hung, shot? He can’t remember. But he knows what they all feel like. As they get to know each other, Man embodies different people in Dru’s life until she can...
Dru, a lonely teenager with sleep paralysis and the dream of going to college, is used to seeing things in her sleep. So when she sees Man in the middle of the night, she is not scared. Man tells her about his execution. Was he electrocuted, beheaded, hung, shot? He can’t remember. But he knows what they all feel like. As they get to know each other, Man embodies different people in Dru’s life until she can finally accept the fact that she is also dead. Dru then embodies some of Man’s dreaded experiences in life— the online groups that filled him with hate. When it’s revealed that Man shot Dru in a mass shooting at her high school, she is filled with rage. Man must help her transition to the next phase. When Dru is able to move on, she leaves a new person in her place. Man realizes that he will have to face each of his victims in this purgatory.
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Death and the Girl
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Shaun Leisher:
26 Mar. 2024
“
A pure mind-fuck of a play. Both of these characters are so complex. A very timely piece of art. ”
Chreston Allen:
23 Mar. 2024
“
The author compels us to confront several pernicious threats to our humanity in this hypnotic, rhythmic story that seems all too relevant today. Well written and timely, there are layers to the characters and issues that are both personal and societal that will inevitably draw audiences to conversation. ”
Red Theater:
22 Mar. 2024
“
Giulianna's poetic, succinct language is powered by deep, intentional research and character-building. The play's forward momentum trusts the intelligence of the audience, and we're rewarded with a complex, painful, potentially cathartic resolution. Highly recommend!! ”
DRU- F, 17 lonely, awkward
MAN- M, 30s, a man killed by the government for committing a crime, he is definitely guilty.
I imagine a version of this play with no set and an ensemble of movers. These actors can help with scene changes, assist with some theatrical moments using choreography, and perhaps become Dru’s classmates. The play could be done with or without this ensemble, so I have not included them in any stage directions.
The characters speak with Appalachian and/or southern dialects which may vary in thickness when they embody different characters. Their accents are beautiful.