Miss Keller Has No Second Book

by Deb Hiett

*World Premiere Gulfshore Playhouse, March/April 2018
*Staged Reading at Writers Theatre of New Jersey, January 2019
*Staged Reading at New Jersey Repertory Company, March 2017
*Selection, 2016 Gulfshore Playhouse New Works Festival
*Finalist, 2017 Ashland New Play Festival
*Finalist, 2017 Local Lab 2017 New Play Festival (Boulder)
*Finalist, 2015-2016 Route 66 Theatre Company New Play Workshop (Chicago)
*Semifinalist, 2016 O'Neill National Playwrights Conference
*Semifinalist, 2016 PlayPenn New Play Development Conference
*Semifinalist, 2016 Princess Grace Playwriting Fellowship

It’s been nearly 50 years since the notoriously reclusive Agnes Keller published her first and only book. Now, in the wake of a life-changing event, Agnes must face the pressures from outside her small sanctuary as she grapples with the inevitability of change, the tangled tethers of family, and the question of an artist’s obligation to the world.

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Miss Keller Has No Second Book

Recommended by

Cheryl Bear: Miss Keller Has No Second Book by Deb Hiett

“

An insightful look into an artist's gift to the world and some pretty large issues to contend with. Well done!

An insightful look into an artist's gift to the world and some pretty large issues to contend with. Well done!

”
Kate Schwartz: Miss Keller Has No Second Book by Deb Hiett

“

This play is smart, thoughtful, and memorable. One of the best plays I’ve read on NPX. Features complex, complicated female characters.

This play is smart, thoughtful, and memorable. One of the best plays I’ve read on NPX. Features complex, complicated female characters.

”
Donna Gordon: Miss Keller Has No Second Book by Deb Hiett

“

This play was a pleasure to read - meaning, it stands on its own literary merits and doesn't need certain actors or stagey effects. It's just good writing. The style flows to each high point effortlessly, and has enough surprises for any audience. Bravo for the roles for older actors. Yet the contrast between Miss Keller and her nephew Jackson was vivid. The turn of events was unexpected but Hiett manages to prepare her audience without unpleasantly jolting them.

This play was a pleasure to read - meaning, it stands on its own literary merits and doesn't need certain actors or stagey effects. It's just good writing. The style flows to each high point effortlessly, and has enough surprises for any audience. Bravo for the roles for older actors. Yet the contrast between Miss Keller and her nephew Jackson was vivid. The turn of events was unexpected but Hiett manages to prepare her audience without unpleasantly jolting them.

”

View all 7 recommendations

Character Information

Agnes Keller

Sharp-tongued and smart.

Character Age

70s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  60s,
  
  70s+
- Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
  
  White
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Female
Ramona Keller

Agnes' devoted sister and Jackson's mother.

Character Age

70s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  60s,
  
  70s+
- Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
  
  White
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Female
Katelyn Linden

As smart as she is ambitious.

Character Age

19

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Female
Jackson Keller

Rugged and road-weary. A recovered addict and Ramona's son.

Character Age

35

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Male
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s,
  
  30s,
  
  40s
- Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
  
  White
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Male
Darryl Wasserman

Slick New York agent, eager to start a new chapter in his own career.

Character Age

40

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Male
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  30s,
  
  40s,
  
  50s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Male

Development History

Type Reading, Organization Writers Theatre of New Jersey, Year 2019
Type Reading, Organization New Jersey Repertory Company, Year 2017
Type Workshop, Organization Gulfshore Playhouse, Year 2016

Production History

Type Professional, Organization Gulfshore Playhouse, Year 2018

Awards

Ashland New Play Festival

Finalist

2017
Local Lab 2017 New Play Festival

Local Theater Company, Boulder

Finalist

2017
Gulfshore Playhouse New Works Festival

Gulfshore Playhouse

Selection

2016
Princess Grace Playwriting Fellowship

Princess Grace Foundation-USA

Semi-Finalist

2016
Route 66 Theatre Company New Play Workshop

Route 66 Theatre Company (Chicago)

Finalist

2016
PlayPenn New Play Development Conference

PlayPenn

Semi-Finalist

2016
O'Neill National Playwrights Conference

Eugene O'Neill Theater Center

Semi-Finalist

2016

Genre

dark comedy,

drama

Subject Matter Keywords

family,

love,

women

Length

60-90 minutes,

90 minutes to two hours

Cast Size

Age of Intended Audience

all ages

Narrative Attributes

Centers Female Characters

Reviews

Florida Weekly

“
Miss Keller Has No Second Book is one of those rare things in theater: a new play that works on all levels, has a superlative cast and grabs your heart and won’t let go.
”