Seneca and the Soul of Nero (Full-length play) by Marcia Eppich-Harris

History remembers Nero as one of the most bombastic and cruel emperors of the ancient world. His tutor and later advisor, Seneca, the stoic philosopher and dramatist, takes drastic measures to reign in the emperor, and in his quest to save Rome, Seneca writes some of his most enduring plays. Focused on the power and failures of the political insider, Seneca and the Soul of Nero looks back to ancient Rome to...
History remembers Nero as one of the most bombastic and cruel emperors of the ancient world. His tutor and later advisor, Seneca, the stoic philosopher and dramatist, takes drastic measures to reign in the emperor, and in his quest to save Rome, Seneca writes some of his most enduring plays. Focused on the power and failures of the political insider, Seneca and the Soul of Nero looks back to ancient Rome to hold the mirror up to modern American politics.
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Seneca and the Soul of Nero (Full-length play)

Recommended by

  • Christopher Soucy:
    9 Oct. 2022
    “ The Stoic and the Mad Emperor. What a stellar play. A rich character study that inspires reflection. I had read this play some time ago and decided to let it cool off in my head before writing a recommendation. But truth be told, it just entered into my consciousness as the events in then life of one of my favorite philosophers. Marcia Eppich-Harris weaves a tale that reminds me of Seneca’s own words, “Life's like a play: it's not the length, but the excellence of the acting that matters.” The act of writing this play was an excellent act ”
  • Elisabeth Giffin Speckman:
    16 Nov. 2021
    “ I was able to stream Southbank Theatre Company's production of this play recently, and what a history lesson! Recent politics are hauntingly reminiscent of the Ancient Rome depicted here, and the cast of characters encompass a spectrum of youthful, full of promise and hopeful individuals to devastated, deteriorating, and downright grotesque. I found myself particularly fascinated by the female characters on the margins of this history, and their scenes from the work have stayed with me longest. ”
  • Julie Zaffarano:
    4 Nov. 2021
    “ “Seneca and the Soul of Nero” brings historical persons to a vivid and human level. Ambition, lust, fear, and greed are set against the desire for honor and truth. The struggles are painfully real. The ending is as surprising as it is beautiful. ”
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Character Information

The roles in this play can be filled by doubling the following parts: (1) Seneca and Thyestes, (2) Nero, (3) Pompeia Paulina, (4) Agrippina and Medea, (5) Burrus (6) Octavia (7) Britannicus, Guard, Jason, and Tantalus (8) Lucan, Ambassador 1, and Creon, (9) Sabina, Nurse in Medea, and Ambassador 2. (10) Claudia -- baby, played by a doll.

  • Seneca
    50-60
    Tutor and then advisor to Nero. Stoic philosopher. Wealthy. Married to Pompeia Paulina. Uncle of Lucan. (Doubles with Thyestes -- character in a play)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Nero
    20-30
    Son of Agrippina and adopted son of Claudius. Becomes emperor as a teenager.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Pompeia Paulina
    35-45
    Pompeia Paulina (aka Poppy), Seneca's wife and best friend.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Agrippina
    35-45
    Mother of Nero. (Double Medea with Agrippina)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Octavia
    18-30
    Wife and adopted sister of Nero.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Sabina
    20s-30s
    Second wife to Nero. (Doubles as Nurse in Medea and Ambassador 2)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Burrus
    45-55
    Co-advisor with Seneca to Nero.
    In charge of the Praetorian guard.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Britannicus
    14-18
    Step-brother of Nero. Should be played by a younger looking adult. (Double Jason, Tantalus, and Guard with Britannicus)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Lucan
    20-30
    Nephew of Seneca, poet of the court. (Double Creon, Ambassador 1 with Lucan)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Guard
    (Doubles with Britannicus)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Ambassador 2
    Can double with Sabina
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Ambassador 1
    (Can double with Lucan)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Actor playing Tantalus
    15-20
    Double with Britannicus
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Actor playing Nurse in Medea
    (Can double with Sabina)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Actor playing Medea
    35-40
    wife of Jason and killer of her own children in Seneca's play Medea (Double with Agrippina)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Actor playing Jason
    20s-30s
    (Double with Britannicus)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Actor playing Creon
    Actor playing King in Seneca's Medea. (Can double with Lucan)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Claudia
    infant
    infant, best to use a doll.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Child
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Indiana Playwrights Circle
    ,
    2020

Production History

  • Community Theater
    ,
    Southbank Theatre Company
    ,
    2021

Awards

Quarter Finalist
,
Screencraft Stage Play Contest
,
2020