ON ROBOTS AND RAINDROPS by Monica Cross

[Ten-Minute Play, set in the near future]
Billy, a woman of retirement age, has been prescribed a in-home companion robot to keep her company. She begrudging to admit she needs any companionship, but as she tries to figure out how her new robot friend works, she finds that maybe she would like some company after all.
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ON ROBOTS AND RAINDROPS

Recommended by

  • Philip Middleton Williams:
    26 Apr. 2023
    “ Having been recently reminded of how loneliness can overwhelm someone, finding companionship, even if it is a robot and their pre-prescribed programming, provides an element of solace. In this warm-hearted and heart-rending short play, Monica Cross shows how just a voice that can recite poetry does not replace a lost love, but instead reminds one of what that connection once was. A lovely and moving work. ”
  • Steven G. Martin:
    29 May. 2022
    “ I'm smiling through tears after reading this play. Monica Cross has woven together strands of loss, poetry, technology, and memory to tell Billy's tale. Despite its backstory of grief, "On Robots and Raindrops" is a story about life and living. ”
  • Dominica Plummer:
    26 Jul. 2021
    “ Cross has crafted a heartfelt piece all dressed up as a shiny robot. Isaac Asimov this short is not, but ON ROBOTS AND RAINDROPS is definitely in the tradition of exploring human/mechanical companion interaction. As we all look forward to a future where our memories may be more present than the people we created them with—isn't it time to acknowledge that even a robot could be a good friend in healing loss and loneliness? A short play to make an audience think. Well done! ”
View all 12 recommendations

Character Information

  • Billy
    65+,
    Any
    ,
    woman
    Has lost her wife of 24 years in the last few months. Lives alone.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Robot
    Any Age,
    Any
    ,
    None
    A Robot
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Seaside Players
    ,
    2021
  • Workshop
    ,
    ATHE
    ,
    2021

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    MadLab Theatre
    ,
    2022
  • Community Theater
    ,
    Jersey City Theatre Center
    ,
    2021
  • Professional
    ,
    Theatre Odyssey
    ,
    2021

Awards

Semi-Finalist
,
EdgeFest
,
Birdhouse Theatre
,
2021
Finalist
,
10-minute play festival
,
Theatre Odyssey
,
2021