The Mage Knights of Eternal Light

by Amanda Zeitler

This play has been awarded the second place Kennedy Center New Plays for Young Audiences Award and was listed as one of the 20 Best DC University Productions in 2015 by DC Metro Theatre Arts.

After the untimely death of her father, teenage Dawn begins reading his favorite fantasy series in order to escape her pain. Her obsession with the books soon overtakes her life and causes damage to her relationships with...

This play has been awarded the second place Kennedy Center New Plays for Young Audiences Award and was listed as one of the 20 Best DC University Productions in 2015 by DC Metro Theatre Arts.

After the untimely death of her father, teenage Dawn begins reading his favorite fantasy series in order to escape her pain. Her obsession with the books soon overtakes her life and causes damage to her relationships with family and friends. When the characters from the books (both heroes and villains) magically appear in her bedroom, the damage escalates, and Dawn must decide to either deal with her real world problems or escape into the magical land of her books forever.

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The Mage Knights of Eternal Light

Recommended by

  • Bridget Grace Sheaff: The Mage Knights of Eternal Light by Amanda Zeitler
    “

    Such a good play for your teen performers, but a plot that transcends ages. Anyone who has ever gotten swept up in their favorite books will recognize themselves. Anyone who has ever suffered loss will recognize themselves. Anyone who has struggled to help someone they love will recognize themselves. A playground for designers and actors.

    Such a good play for your teen performers, but a plot that transcends ages. Anyone who has ever gotten swept up in their favorite books will recognize themselves. Anyone who has ever suffered loss will recognize themselves. Anyone who has struggled to help someone they love will recognize themselves. A playground for designers and actors.

    ”
  • Nan Barnett: The Mage Knights of Eternal Light by Amanda Zeitler
    “

    I got the chance to see a student production of this and had a great time. The fantasy work is really fun, and the themes universal and yet freshly presented. It's definitely not just for kids - there's plenty of great stuff in here for everyone!

    I got the chance to see a student production of this and had a great time. The fantasy work is really fun, and the themes universal and yet freshly presented. It's definitely not just for kids - there's plenty of great stuff in here for everyone!

    ”
  • Kathleen Jones: The Mage Knights of Eternal Light by Amanda Zeitler
    “

    This is a really moving play. Though it's targeted to teens, truly all ages loved it. The characters are fantastical yet still relatable. I enjoyed myself throughout the entire production. Really great job, Zeitler!

    This is a really moving play. Though it's targeted to teens, truly all ages loved it. The characters are fantastical yet still relatable. I enjoyed myself throughout the entire production. Really great job, Zeitler!

    ”

Character Information

Dawn Collins, f, 17, high school senior
Ruby, f, 17, high school senior, Dawn's best friend
Parker, m, 18, high school senior, Dawn's boyfriend
Arena Collins, f, 40's, Dawn's mother
Robert Collins, m, 40's/50's, Dawn's father, a recovering alcoholic, double cast as Archer Night
Laertes, m, questionable age but looks early 20s, a fantasy character come to life
Lorai, f, questionable age by looks early 20's, Laertes' twin sister, a fantasy character come to life
Archer Night, the Black Warlock, m, same actor as Robert, a fantasy villain come to life
The Nightling, a monster, can be played by a puppet or an actor in costume, has been double cast as Ruby
  • Dawn Collins
    17
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Workshop, Catholic University of America, 2015
  • Reading, Kennedy Center Page-to-Stage Festival 2015, 2015
  • Workshop, Catholic University of America, 2014
  • Workshop, Catholic University of America, 2013

Production History

  • University, Catholic University of America, 2015

Awards

  • 20 Best DC University Productions
    DC Metro Arts
    Selection
    2015
  • Darrell Ayers Theatre for Young Audiences Playwriting Award
    Kennedy Center
    Runner Up
    2015