Break Room by Rachel Bublitz

ONE ACT: The evening spirals out of control for Luke and Chloe, as the two try desperately to hold onto one another as their situation changes. Luke, an almost thirty year old assistant manager at Target, has put together a celebration for his co-worker and girlfriend, Chloe, who happens to still be in high school. Unfortunately, what’s good news for Luke devastates Chloe, and she lashes out with the only...
ONE ACT: The evening spirals out of control for Luke and Chloe, as the two try desperately to hold onto one another as their situation changes. Luke, an almost thirty year old assistant manager at Target, has put together a celebration for his co-worker and girlfriend, Chloe, who happens to still be in high school. Unfortunately, what’s good news for Luke devastates Chloe, and she lashes out with the only weapon she has until a new balance can be reached between them. Break Room is one continuous scene with two characters.
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Break Room

Recommended by

  • Claudia Haas:
    28 Nov. 2018
    “ A topsy turvey, he wins, she wins, nobody wins play. It’s honest, it’s disturbing, it’s real and it happens. All the time. A grand play about relationships, misplaced love and even Me, Too. This is today, this is America and this is a slice of life about our times. ”
  • Andrew Roblyer:
    21 Aug. 2018
    “ My favorite plays are about the messiness of life, and this play captures that in a completely unexpected and somewhat uncomfortable way. I know people like Luke and Chloe (separately, not together), people who crave connection and relationship and so end up looking for it in the wrong places. I love the care with which Bublitz writes these characters, giving them dimension beyond their inappropriate relationship, helping us understand not only what is going on between them, but *why* this was ever the answer to their loneliness. ”
  • Emily Hageman:
    13 May. 2018
    “ It's funny, it's real, it's sad, and it happens. Bublitz doesn't shy away from it, and I am so grateful. Young girls who are desperate for love may do stupid things, but that doesn't make them stupid people. Luke and Chloe are painfully real--especially Chloe--and you don't know whether to try to hug her or smack her. The end is incredibly poignant and heartbreaking and all I could hope for after I read this play was that Chloe figures it out and lives a wonderful life. Bublitz writes with razor-sharp and unapologetic honesty. A necessary piece. ”

Character Information

  • Chloe
    young,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Comes from a middle class home, mostly gets along with her parents. Only child. Pretty good grades, but hates with a passion her French class. Has not figured out what she’s going to do after High School, this only concerns her half the time though. Cashier at Target. Wears red and khaki.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Luke
    youthful twenty-something,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Assistant Manager at Target, he’s in charge of the toys and infant section, but when his boss and store manager, Debbie, has the night off, he’s in charge of making sure the store closes correctly. When he’s not working he mostly surf and eats burritos. Wears red and khaki.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary

Development History

  • Commission
    ,
    San Francisco Olympians Festival
    ,
    2015
  • Reading
    ,
    San Francisco Olympians Festival
    ,
    2015

Production History

  • University
    ,
    Winthrop University
    ,
    2019