The Monster by John Haman

Seven characters, four male and three female. 38-40 minute adaptation of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," written for competitive one-act festivals. On the heels of his mother's death, Victor Frankenstein, the son of a scientist, becomes obsessed with occult methods and manages to bring a dead man back to life, only to be haunted by the results. The play, which also pays tribute to Milton...
Seven characters, four male and three female. 38-40 minute adaptation of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," written for competitive one-act festivals. On the heels of his mother's death, Victor Frankenstein, the son of a scientist, becomes obsessed with occult methods and manages to bring a dead man back to life, only to be haunted by the results. The play, which also pays tribute to Milton's Paradise Lost, examines the boundaries between man and God, and explores the question of what we owe to the lives we create. This work was adapted from the playwright's full-length play, I AM FRANKENSTEIN, but it contains unique material and a new character. It is simpler, requires minimal tech and can be performed with a flexible cast. Performed at a one-act festival in 2019 by Gentry High School in Gentry, Ark., and given a 2020 public reading at a university in Mississippi. Scheduled for production in the 2021 Mississippi Theatre Association Dramafest competition. The play explores themes that have proven to be very meaningful to LGBTQ+ kids, though there is nothing explicit in the play on that topic.
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The Monster

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Character Information

The author encourages the casting of actors who don't identify with
traditional gender roles, as well as the transgendered. If a director has a concept for how to direct
this play using a different mix of genders in the roles, or an intentionally LGBTQ-friendly
concept, the author welcomes it. Simply ask the playwright for permission. Also, there should be no assumption made that any of these characters are intended to be white. Skin color should not be a consideration in casting this play.

  • Victor
    Early to mid 20s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Intelligent but troubled and reclusive. Drawn to occult sciences, such as alchemy.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Mother
    40-50,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Victor's mother, and Elizabeth's adoptive mother.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Lucia
    30-55,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Corsican maid.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Henry
    20s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Energetic, thoughtful best friend of Victor. A noble young man, but a secret admirer of Elizabeth.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • Father
    40-50,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Victor's father, and Elizabeth's adoptive father.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • Elizabeth
    20s,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Victor's cousin, raised as a sister to Victor in
    the same household. Smart, kind and loving. Promised to Victor.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Creature
    20s or 30s,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    Young and powerfully built.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Greenbrier High School, Greenbrier, Ark.
    ,
    2019
  • Reading
    ,
    Rogers Heritage High School, Rogers, Ark.
    ,
    2019
  • Reading
    ,
    Gulf Coast Community College, Mississippi
    ,
    2019
  • Reading
    ,
    Biloxi (Miss.) High School
    ,
    2019
  • Reading
    ,
    Gautier High School, Gautier, Miss.
    ,
    2019
  • Workshop
    ,
    Long Beach High School, Mississippi
    ,
    2019
  • Workshop
    ,
    Parkview Arts and Sciences Magnet School, Little Rock, Arkansas
    ,
    2019
  • Workshop
    ,
    Arkansas Playwrights Workshop
    ,
    2019
  • Workshop
    ,
    Gentry High School, Gentry, Arkansas
    ,
    2019

Production History

  • High School
    ,
    Gentry High School, Gentry Arkansas
    ,
    2019