Exposure by Bridgette Dutta Portman

Winner, Red Bull Theater's Short New Play Contest, 2019.

[10-minute] A king attempts to leave his infant nephew to die of exposure on a hillside, but a passing shepherd has seen this story before. A spoof on a classical trope.
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Exposure

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear:
    26 Jul. 2020
    “ This shepherd takes on this evil-doing king and it's absolutely fantastic! Insanely funny and very clever. Marvelous! ”
  • Timothy-Talia M. Gadomski:
    23 Jan. 2020
    “ This story hilariously takes a trope we all know so well and really sticks it to the would be abandoner. The back and forth is very funny and the shepherd's knowledge of the story kicks it up a few notches. Hope to see this one day. ”

Character Information

Please cast this play in a way that reflects the diversity of our world, with regard to race/ethnicity, gender identity, body type, and/or disability status.

  • King
    20s-40s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Recently usurped the throne. Ambitious but impulsive.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • Shepherd
    50s or older,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    Has seen a lot. Doesn’t suffer fools.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Red Bull Theater
    ,
    2019

Production History

  • Community Theater
    ,
    Pegasus Theater Company
    ,
    2021
  • Professional
    ,
    The Pear Theatre
    ,
    2020

Awards

Winner
,
Red Bull Theater Short New Play Contest
,
Red Bull Theater
,
2019