A teenage boy has closed himself off to the world, opting for only computer games, darkened windows, and a steady diet of homeschooled lessons from his survivalist mother, Lydia. His gradual estrangement from his father and brother – coupled with Lydia’s loosening grip on reality – creates a dangerous atmosphere of fear and isolation at home. A series of events push mother and son to a breaking point, testing...
A teenage boy has closed himself off to the world, opting for only computer games, darkened windows, and a steady diet of homeschooled lessons from his survivalist mother, Lydia. His gradual estrangement from his father and brother – coupled with Lydia’s loosening grip on reality – creates a dangerous atmosphere of fear and isolation at home. A series of events push mother and son to a breaking point, testing their delicate alliance like never before.
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Prepared
Recommended by
Cheryl Bear:
24 Aug. 2021
“
A revealing look at a boy isolated from the world and a mother and son pushed to their limits. Well done. ”
Nick Malakhow:
10 May. 2021
“
An unsettling and compellingly theatrical piece that examines the ways violence is rooted in fear. The relationship between Lydia and Boy is a chilling nucleus that the play revolves around, and Marshall and Trey provide an interesting counterpoint. Character revelations about Trey juxtaposed to Boy illuminate different models of dysfunctional masculinity in intriguing ways. Bentley-Quinn's naturalistic/lyrical language is elegant and spare and gives a parable-like quality to the piece. Would be compelling to see these stage images come together live and in person! ”
Jerry Polner:
28 Apr. 2021
“
In this brilliant and chilling drama, a split-up family can’t agree on what to do with its isolated, insolent, gamer teenage son. When his survivalist mother tries to push him into a life of home schooling off the grid, he chooses to escape on the only path he knows. Kari Bentley-Quinn’s Prepared is a fierce, finely cut diamond of a story. Produce this play! ”
BOY (17, M) - Youngest son of Marshall and Lydia - quiet and strange.
MARSHALL (45, M) - Ex-husband of Lydia, works in finance
LYDIA (45, F) - Mother to Trey and Boy - effervescent, paranoid, determined
TREY (EARLY 20S, M) - Oldest son of Trey and Lydia - affable and dependable
COCKTAIL WAITRESS - played by same actress who plays LYDIA
GLENN - played by same actor who plays MARSHALL - southern accent
Development History
Workshop
,
Hunter College MFA Playwriting Festival (New York)