TEACH by Donna Hoke

Winner, Gulfshore New Works
Winner, Guilford Technical Community College Center New Work Initiative Playwriting Contest
Winner, Athena Plays in Progress
Finalist, Ashland New Play Festival
Two-time semifinalist, O'Neill National Playwrights Conference

Five actors, three characters, one story: Ten years ago, Ken and Chris were teacher and student. Now, as...
Winner, Gulfshore New Works
Winner, Guilford Technical Community College Center New Work Initiative Playwriting Contest
Winner, Athena Plays in Progress
Finalist, Ashland New Play Festival
Two-time semifinalist, O'Neill National Playwrights Conference

Five actors, three characters, one story: Ten years ago, Ken and Chris were teacher and student. Now, as principal and teacher, Ken uses a student's suspiciously high grade as license to grill Chris until the young teacher is forced to confront both past and present. While most plays question the audience, TEACH exposes the biases that make audiences question themselves. Though its production requirements are simple, TEACH is anything but.

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TEACH

Recommended by

  • Eric Roberts:
    6 Dec. 2023
    “ TEACH is a timeless piece of theater that examinesgender bias on multiple levels in American school system. Donna’s writing cuts deep into the subject matter in unique style through the creative staging of the piece. ”
  • Ryan Morales:
    2 Sep. 2021
    “ TEACH is a fantastic play that is enhanced by the flexibility with which the casting of the roles adds depth and nuance to the power dynamics at play. Each production of TEACH is innately unique in that way. A director and a producer can tell a lot of unspoken stories through these relationships, which, alongside the quick witted and biting dialogue, creates an impactful and thought-provoking night at the theatre. ”
  • Paul Hufker:
    6 Jan. 2021
    “ TEACH is remarkable -- I found it to be a fluid, timley, relevant interrogation play which connects the separate dichotomies of male vs female power dynamic interactions, as well as explores necessary and uncomfortable educational boundaries. As a professor, I found it riveting.

    I also deeply admire the way Ms. Hoke made a properly connected, time-fluid story with only a few chairs as a set; that’s craft at its highest.
    ”
View all 46 recommendations

Character Information

This is absolutely NOT an all-white cast; no exceptions. Despite this note, I have shown up to all-white readings. Please don't do this.

  • Ken James
    37-40,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    high school principal
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Female Chris
    27,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    High school English teacher
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Male Chris
    27,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    high school English teacher
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Female Emerson
    17,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    high school student
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Male Emerson
    17,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    high school student
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Palm Beach Dramaworks
    ,
    2020
  • Reading
    ,
    The Road Theatre Company, Summerplay Festival 9
    ,
    2018
  • Reading
    ,
    Zoetic Stage
    ,
    2018
  • Workshop
    ,
    Gulfshore New Works Festival
    ,
    2018
  • Workshop
    ,
    Residency--Road Less Traveled Productions
    ,
    2017

Production History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Matthew Corozine Studio Theatre
    ,
    2021
  • University
    ,
    Guilford Technical Community College Center (shut down March 2020 in tech)
    ,
    2020
  • Workshop
    ,
    Athena Plays in Progress
    ,
    2019

Awards

Winner
,
Winner
,
Athena Plays in Progress
,
2019
Winner
,
Guilford Technical Community College Center New Work Initiative Playwriting Contest
,
Guilford Technical Community College Center for Creative and Performing Arts
,
2019
Semi-Finalist
,
National Playwrights Conference
,
Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
,
2018
Finalist, Ashland New Play Festival
,
2018
Finalist
,
Headwaters New Play Festival
,
Creede Repertory Theatre
,
2018
Finalist
,
T. Schreiber New Works Intiative
,
T. Schreiber Studio
,
2018
Winner
,
Gulfshore Playhouse New Works Festival
,
Gulfshore Playhouse
,
2018
Finalist
,
Local Lab
,
Local Theater Company
,
2018
Finalist
,
Philadelphia Women's Theatre Festival
,
2018