KINDERGARDEN

by Emma Goldman-Sherman

TEN-MINUTE PLAY Three five year old girls named for poisonous plants (played by grown-up actors) form a clique, but when a fourth girl tries to join them, they find a very dark reason to keep her out.

TEN-MINUTE PLAY Three five year old girls named for poisonous plants (played by grown-up actors) form a clique, but when a fourth girl tries to join them, they find a very dark reason to keep her out.

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KINDERGARDEN

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: KINDERGARDEN by Emma Goldman-Sherman
    “

    A terrific piece about the struggles of young girls and their understanding of sexual assault at that age. Well done.

    A terrific piece about the struggles of young girls and their understanding of sexual assault at that age. Well done.

    ”
  • Francis RTM Boyle: KINDERGARDEN by Emma Goldman-Sherman
    “

    They're five years old. Five. And what's not entirely understood of abuse at that age is how it comes across in the most normal conversations. Amid conversation you come to hear details of the lives of these five year olds that make you want to save them.

    And yet that's not the most horrifying part. What's horrifying is that at this age, small people believe what happens to them is proper or deserved, perhaps even an act of love. The way they report their attacks is matter of fact as well as recreational. It's unfortunately true. Well Done.

    They're five years old. Five. And what's not entirely understood of abuse at that age is how it comes across in the most normal conversations. Amid conversation you come to hear details of the lives of these five year olds that make you want to save them.

    And yet that's not the most horrifying part. What's horrifying is that at this age, small people believe what happens to them is proper or deserved, perhaps even an act of love. The way they report their attacks is matter of fact as well as recreational. It's unfortunately true. Well Done.

    ”
  • Shaun Leisher: KINDERGARDEN by Emma Goldman-Sherman
    “

    I am in awe of how the writer depicts young girlhood here. How they explore the difference between normal and abnormal behavior is so compelling and heartbreaking.

    I am in awe of how the writer depicts young girlhood here. How they explore the difference between normal and abnormal behavior is so compelling and heartbreaking.

    ”
View all 10 recommendations

Character Information

THE CAST consists of ADULT women (30s-50s) who are all playing 5 year olds. This is not naturalistic and doesn't need to be as if they are really 5 year olds - it's sort of like how Linus is a philosopher in Peanuts, as real as that.

Their ethnicities are diverse please, each unique.
  • INDI(GO)
    The leader. Slightly more mature by about ten months, beautiful, the kind of girl other girls want to follow.
    5 played by any adult
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • BELLA(DONNA)
    Absolutely in love with INDI, fairy-like and sweet. She is overweight and loyal, wants to focus on all things positive. Fears her own darkness.
    5 played by any adult
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • LARK(SPUR)
    The smart one. She is attractive in the librarian sense (when she lets down her hair) and can really change the world with the tools she is developing as a researcher. A match for INDI.
    5 played by any adult
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary