Miss Keller Has No Second Book

by Deb Hiett

*World Premiere Gulfshore Playhouse, March/April 2018
*Staged Reading at Writers Theatre of New Jersey, January 2019
*Staged Reading at New Jersey Repertory Company, March 2017
*Selection, 2016 Gulfshore Playhouse New Works Festival
*Finalist, 2017 Ashland New Play Festival
*Finalist, 2017 Local Lab 2017 New Play Festival (Boulder)
*Finalist, 2015-2016 Route 66 Theatre Company New Play...

*World Premiere Gulfshore Playhouse, March/April 2018
*Staged Reading at Writers Theatre of New Jersey, January 2019
*Staged Reading at New Jersey Repertory Company, March 2017
*Selection, 2016 Gulfshore Playhouse New Works Festival
*Finalist, 2017 Ashland New Play Festival
*Finalist, 2017 Local Lab 2017 New Play Festival (Boulder)
*Finalist, 2015-2016 Route 66 Theatre Company New Play Workshop (Chicago)
*Semifinalist, 2016 O'Neill National Playwrights Conference
*Semifinalist, 2016 PlayPenn New Play Development Conference
*Semifinalist, 2016 Princess Grace Playwriting Fellowship

It’s been nearly 50 years since the notoriously reclusive Agnes Keller published her first and only book. Now, in the wake of a life-changing event, Agnes must face the pressures from outside her small sanctuary as she grapples with the inevitability of change, the tangled tethers of family, and the question of an artist’s obligation to the world.

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Miss Keller Has No Second Book

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Miss Keller Has No Second Book

    An insightful look into an artist's gift to the world and some pretty large issues to contend with. Well done!

    An insightful look into an artist's gift to the world and some pretty large issues to contend with. Well done!

  • Kate Schwartz: Miss Keller Has No Second Book

    This play is smart, thoughtful, and memorable. One of the best plays I’ve read on NPX. Features complex, complicated female characters.

    This play is smart, thoughtful, and memorable. One of the best plays I’ve read on NPX. Features complex, complicated female characters.

  • Donna Gordon: Miss Keller Has No Second Book

    This play was a pleasure to read - meaning, it stands on its own literary merits and doesn't need certain actors or stagey effects. It's just good writing. The style flows to each high point effortlessly, and has enough surprises for any audience. Bravo for the roles for older actors. Yet the contrast between Miss Keller and her nephew Jackson was vivid. The turn of events was unexpected but Hiett manages to prepare her audience without unpleasantly jolting them.

    This play was a pleasure to read - meaning, it stands on its own literary merits and doesn't need certain actors or stagey effects. It's just good writing. The style flows to each high point effortlessly, and has enough surprises for any audience. Bravo for the roles for older actors. Yet the contrast between Miss Keller and her nephew Jackson was vivid. The turn of events was unexpected but Hiett manages to prepare her audience without unpleasantly jolting them.

View all 7 recommendations

Character Information

  • Agnes Keller
    Sharp-tongued and smart.
    Character Age
    70s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Ramona Keller
    Agnes' devoted sister and Jackson's mother.
    Character Age
    70s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Katelyn Linden
    As smart as she is ambitious.
    Character Age
    19
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Jackson Keller
    Rugged and road-weary. A recovered addict and Ramona's son.
    Character Age
    35
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Darryl Wasserman
    Slick New York agent, eager to start a new chapter in his own career.
    Character Age
    40
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Writers Theatre of New Jersey, Year 2019
  • Type Reading, Organization New Jersey Repertory Company, Year 2017
  • Type Workshop, Organization Gulfshore Playhouse, Year 2016

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Gulfshore Playhouse, Year 2018

Awards

  • Ashland New Play Festival
    Finalist
    2017
  • Local Lab 2017 New Play Festival
    Local Theater Company, Boulder
    Finalist
    2017
  • Gulfshore Playhouse New Works Festival
    Gulfshore Playhouse
    Selection
    2016
  • Princess Grace Playwriting Fellowship
    Princess Grace Foundation-USA
    Semi-Finalist
    2016
  • Route 66 Theatre Company New Play Workshop
    Route 66 Theatre Company (Chicago)
    Finalist
    2016
  • PlayPenn New Play Development Conference
    PlayPenn
    Semi-Finalist
    2016
  • O'Neill National Playwrights Conference
    Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
    Semi-Finalist
    2016