Boyd is stuck in his head. He can't concentrate on his drone-piloting work, on his relationships, or even on sex. When his wife Monica issues him an ultimatum to work on his mental health, Boyd turns to a mad scientist to give his brain a literal out-of-body experience. Will it be enough to save Boyd and Monica's marriage? A dark sci-fi comedy about the mind-body problem.
From Unicorn...
Boyd is stuck in his head. He can't concentrate on his drone-piloting work, on his relationships, or even on sex. When his wife Monica issues him an ultimatum to work on his mental health, Boyd turns to a mad scientist to give his brain a literal out-of-body experience. Will it be enough to save Boyd and Monica's marriage? A dark sci-fi comedy about the mind-body problem.
From Unicorn Theatre's Semifinalist Rating for its In-Progress New Play Reading Series: "Our readers especially appreciated the exploration of the concept of isolation and how it affects one's relationships with others. They thought that the play asks us to consider how a sense of disconnect within the self affects our entire lives and whether embracing our internal chaos will help or make things even worse. Our readers enjoyed the script's magical realism feel and thought that it told an interesting, often melancholic story balanced with wit and absurdity."
Recommend
Download
Save to Reading List
The Absent Minded
Recommended by
Cheryl Bear:
29 Jul. 2021
“
A fascinating look at neurology and technology when a scientist is called upon to save Boyd's mind and marriage. Well done. ”
Unicorn Theatre:
28 Mar. 2019
“
This play was a SEMIFINALIST for the 2019-2020 In-Progress New Play Reading Series at Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. It is our pleasure to support THE ABSENT MINDED. ”
Character Information
Boyd
30ish,
Male
M, 30ish. Lapsed Catholic. Any ethnicity.
Can be played by:
Age:
20s, 30s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Male
Monica
30ish,
Eastern European descent
,
Female
F, 30ish. Jewish. Eastern European descent. Married to Boyd.
Can be played by:
Age:
20s, 30s
Race/Ethnicity:
White
Gender:
Female
The Doctors Rameen
30ish,
Middle Eastern or African descent.
,
Female
F, 30ish. Muslim. Middle Eastern or African descent. Triplets
who are Boyd's doctors throughout the play. From oldest to
youngest, they are the oncologist (AMINAH), the mad
neuroscientist (BEENISH), and the psychiatrist (KASHI). They
are all played by the same actor.
Can be played by:
Age:
30s
Race/Ethnicity:
Black, African, Caribbean, or African American, Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American
Gender:
Female
Hollis
30ish,
Male
M, 30ish. Any ethnicity. Boyd's friend and business partner.
Crass, but just wants to be loved.
Can be played by:
Age:
20s, 30s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Male
Drone
Male
M, 30ish. A small, remote-operated, quadrotor aircraft. This
actor also plays THE BODY of BOYD after his operation, but
they don't have to look alike, be the same ethnicity, etc.