Her Own Devices

by Lindsay Kennedy

FULL-LENGTH: Madeleine has spent her entire life in a lab as a test subject. The scientists who watch her are no closer to finding a cure, and meanwhile every night the King of Germs visits her in her dreams and tries to touch her with his contaminating hand. She enlists the help of her imaginary friend the Robot to fight him off and soon must make a choice whether to leave the only home she's ever known.

FULL-LENGTH: Madeleine has spent her entire life in a lab as a test subject. The scientists who watch her are no closer to finding a cure, and meanwhile every night the King of Germs visits her in her dreams and tries to touch her with his contaminating hand. She enlists the help of her imaginary friend the Robot to fight him off and soon must make a choice whether to leave the only home she's ever known.

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Her Own Devices

Recommended by

  • David Hansen: Her Own Devices by Lindsay Kennedy
    “

    A deftly plotted search for what is true and what is not, and also questions whether our inherent free-will is something we should really be happy about. Adams's script is adeptly eched with paranoia and doubt, an urgent tale for the era of COVID-19.

    A deftly plotted search for what is true and what is not, and also questions whether our inherent free-will is something we should really be happy about. Adams's script is adeptly eched with paranoia and doubt, an urgent tale for the era of COVID-19.

    ”
  • Brian Maxwell: Her Own Devices by Lindsay Kennedy
    “

    A wealth of complexity in a manageable cast size. This play is great read. The central question raised by Adams is timely and profound. A well executed piece of theater.

    A wealth of complexity in a manageable cast size. This play is great read. The central question raised by Adams is timely and profound. A well executed piece of theater.

    ”
  • Monica Cross: Her Own Devices by Lindsay Kennedy
    “

    PRODUCE THIS PLAY NOW! This is such a compelling, heartbreaking, and yet hopeful play. Her Own Devices has a stellar cast of characters and so many interesting facets for designers and choreographers to explore.

    Madeleine's journey is empowering; the Robot is adorably relateable; Boyle is an amazing villain; Alayna is super sympathetic; and George is a powerhouse! There is a mass of arms that weave a dance through the laboratory, and the King of Germs worming his way into Madeleine's nightmares.

    Big questions about existential angst are eloquently packaged in toy robots and unethical...

    PRODUCE THIS PLAY NOW! This is such a compelling, heartbreaking, and yet hopeful play. Her Own Devices has a stellar cast of characters and so many interesting facets for designers and choreographers to explore.

    Madeleine's journey is empowering; the Robot is adorably relateable; Boyle is an amazing villain; Alayna is super sympathetic; and George is a powerhouse! There is a mass of arms that weave a dance through the laboratory, and the King of Germs worming his way into Madeleine's nightmares.

    Big questions about existential angst are eloquently packaged in toy robots and unethical science experiments.

    A MUST READ!

    read more
    ”
View all 8 recommendations

Character Information

NOTE ON CASTING: Any race does NOT mean white. The cast of this play should be diverse. DOUBLING: The KING OF GERMS is doubled with Boyle. The HORDE OF HANDS can be doubled with George and Alayna. If not doubled, at least one actor/dancer is needed, but more may be cast as wanted.


  • HORDE OF HANDS
    Non-speaking. The King of Germs' minions. A movement ensemble of actors/dancers, they are like a single organism, moving as one.
    Any
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • MADELEINE
    She may be played by an adult.
    11
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • GEORGE
    A scientist.
    25-35
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • BOYLE
    A scientist.
    30-40
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • ROBOT
    Madeleine's imaginary friend.
    Ageless
    Any
    Agender
  • ALAYNA
    Madeleine's mother.
    25-29
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Reading, Kansas City Public Theatre, 2018
  • Workshop, Interrobang Theatre Company (Baltimore), 2017
  • Reading, History Matters/Back to the Future, The Women's Project Theatre, NYC, 2016
  • Workshop, Theatre Alliance Hothouse New Play Series, 2016
  • Reading, This Is Water Theatre, 2016

Production History

Awards

  • Darrell Ayers Playwriting Award (Second Place)
    Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
    2017
  • Jean Kennedy Smith Playwriting Award (Second Place)
    Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
    2017
  • Trustus Playwrights Festival
    Trustus Theatre
    Semi-Finalist
    2016
  • Judith Barlow Prize
    History Matters/Back To The Future
    Winner
    2016