FRONTIER (full length) by Robin Rice

A girl is so moved by the aftermath of the Valdez oil spill in her native Alaska, she dedicates her life to saving the environment. Years pass and she seems to have no impact so she gives up, switching her dedication to a young man. She refuses to listen to warnings from an ecologically focused wolf who sees signs of impending disaster. Drilling begins in the Alaskan Wildlife Refuge, and Mother Nature lowers...
A girl is so moved by the aftermath of the Valdez oil spill in her native Alaska, she dedicates her life to saving the environment. Years pass and she seems to have no impact so she gives up, switching her dedication to a young man. She refuses to listen to warnings from an ecologically focused wolf who sees signs of impending disaster. Drilling begins in the Alaskan Wildlife Refuge, and Mother Nature lowers the boom. Human life is destroyed except for our heroine, her clueless, tv-addicted husband, and her unborn child. At last, she listens to the wolf and makes a huge sacrifice to save the future of mankind.
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FRONTIER (full length)

Recommended by

  • Rita Kniess Barkey:
    19 Jan. 2022
    “ The beauty of Rice's cautionary "tale" is in the telling: both the animal kingdom and mankind share the stage to speak to civilization's excesses that are destroying the natural world. It's a highly imaginative experience, filled with wit, beauty and terror, as the characters seek, through love, a way to survive. ”
  • Doug DeVita:
    16 Sep. 2019
    “ Another anthropomorphic, magically realistic gem from Robin Rice, "Frontier" pushes buttons and boundaries with an urgency that is not without humor, but is none-the-less an eloquently horrifying plea for us to wake up before it's too late. The possibilities for inventive staging are endless, and exciting to contemplate. ”
  • Cheryl Bear:
    2 May. 2019
    “ The imagery, the rhythm pulsates with life. These characters and their story enthrall us. Extremely powerful storytelling that serves environmental activism at its best. Extremely imaginative and engaging. It's just so much fun and serves such a higher cause. Highly recommend! ”

Character Information

Two or three actors play a large number of characters - on purpose.
WOLF - Adult male. Alaskan. Seductive. Sexy. Dangerous. Graceful. Intense.
AURORA - 16-41. Half Native American. Alaskan. Activist. Artist.
ADAM - 41. Floridian. Not the brightest bulb. Laid back. Preppy. Cute.
ACTOR 4: Chulyen (Aurora's Native American mother), and minor parts including a goldfish.
ACTOR 5: Various parts including International Reporter, a loon, a teenage boy, a preacher, a hunter.

  • WOLF
    Adult.,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    An adult wolf. Alaskan. Seductive. Sexy. Dangerous. Graceful. Intense.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Aurora
    16-41,
    Half Native American.
    ,
    Female
    Ages from 16 to 41. Half Native-American, half Caucasian. Alaskan. Activist. Artist.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American, White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Adam
    41,
    Any (but probably white)
    ,
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Actor 5
    16-60.,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    Actor 5 plays: International Reporter, Pacific Loon (a bird), Jojo (16 and 41), Craig, Chuck, Preacher, and Hunter.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Actor 4
    16-60,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    Actor 4 plays many parts: Chulyen (Aurora's Native-American mother), Woman, Jen, Buck, Helicopter Pilot, Dong (Chinese goldfish).
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    DreamCatcher Entertainment, NYC
    ,
    2014
  • Reading
    ,
    Oberon Theatre Company, NYC
    ,
    2013
  • Reading
    ,
    Planet Connections Theatre Festivity, NYC (awards in various categories)
    ,
    2013
  • Reading
    ,
    Last Frontier Theatre Conference, Valdeze, Alaska
    ,
    2010