Community

by Stephen Kaplan

FINALIST: Seven Devils; Road Less Traveled National Residency, SEMI-FINALIST: Premiere Stages, March Forth Productions, SELECTION: Caleb Reese Festival of New Plays and Musicals - Christopher Marshall has just been cast as George in Mt. Laurel Community Players' production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? He invites Zach, the young, Black actor who's been cast as Nick, over for a drink to give him some actorly...

FINALIST: Seven Devils; Road Less Traveled National Residency, SEMI-FINALIST: Premiere Stages, March Forth Productions, SELECTION: Caleb Reese Festival of New Plays and Musicals - Christopher Marshall has just been cast as George in Mt. Laurel Community Players' production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? He invites Zach, the young, Black actor who's been cast as Nick, over for a drink to give him some actorly advice - and possibly to kill him. Whatever works. When the production's Martha and Honey show up uninvited, they find themselves caught in this play about a play (within a play?) tackling deadly issues like race and, perhaps even more dauntingly, community theatre. This ferocious comedy asks questions about how we view stories about race and the not-just-color blindness that many have when trying to talk about it.

* Semi-Finalist - Premiere Stages Play Festival

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Community

Recommended by

  • Ian Donley: Community by Stephen Kaplan
    “

    Meta-theater at its finest. This is a ruthlessly funny and entertaining play that uses a well-known classic to explore ideas like race, fame, and what it means to be an artist. The writing is very clever, and each character feels like an appropriate cliche yet has their nuances.

    Meta-theater at its finest. This is a ruthlessly funny and entertaining play that uses a well-known classic to explore ideas like race, fame, and what it means to be an artist. The writing is very clever, and each character feels like an appropriate cliche yet has their nuances.

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: Community by Stephen Kaplan
    “

    A look at ourselves through the process of putting on a show that triggers key questions of what stories can be told and through whom. Well done.

    A look at ourselves through the process of putting on a show that triggers key questions of what stories can be told and through whom. Well done.

    ”
  • Sasha Brätt: Community by Stephen Kaplan
    “

    When I first read COMMUNITY, I was intrigued from the opening moments. I wanted to work on it ASAP! Stephen Kaplan takes his audience for a ride down the rabbit hole in this smart, hilarious, and important play. COMMUNITY is strong on a micro level of the story(ies) it tells, and a macro one as it grapples with the idea of who is allowed to tell what stories - a timely exploration that asks its audience to go along for the ride, and to check their preconceptions in the lobby. I can't wait to see a full production

    When I first read COMMUNITY, I was intrigued from the opening moments. I wanted to work on it ASAP! Stephen Kaplan takes his audience for a ride down the rabbit hole in this smart, hilarious, and important play. COMMUNITY is strong on a micro level of the story(ies) it tells, and a macro one as it grapples with the idea of who is allowed to tell what stories - a timely exploration that asks its audience to go along for the ride, and to check their preconceptions in the lobby. I can't wait to see a full production

    ”
View all 7 recommendations

Character Information

2M, 2F - each actor plays 3 different "parts" throughout the play
  • Christopher/Paul/John
    dirty blonde, handsome. A committed actor in community theatre currently cast as George in their production of "Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" – then an English, newly appointed Artistic Director of a large-ish subsidized theatre in London – then an actor at a reading.
    mid-late 40s
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Zach/Kevin/Reggie
    Making his acting debut as Nick in the community theatre’s production of "Virginia Woolf" – then a Hollywood action star making his stage debut – then an actor at a reading.
    20s-30s
    African American/Black
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Laurie/Hillary/Jodi
    A musical theatre diva making her straight play debut as Martha in "Virginia Woolf" – then an English television star – then an actor at a reading
    40s-50s
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Jen/Emma/Emily
    sour-faced and serious. Playing Honey in "Virginia Woolf" – then an English actress – then an actor at a reading
    20s-30s
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman

Development History

  • Reading, A Work in Progress Theatre Company, 2017
  • Workshop, Caleb Reese Festival of New Plays and Musicals, Phoenix Theatre, 2017
  • Reading, Playwrights on Park, 2017
  • Reading, Luna Stage, 2016
  • Reading, Writer's Theatre of New Jersey, 2016
  • Reading, Bay Street Theatre, 2016

Awards

  • Caleb Reese Festival of New Plays and Musicals
    Phoenix Theatre
    Selection
  • March Forth Productions Summer Reading Salon
    Semi-Finalist
  • Road Less Traveled Productions National Playwright Residency Program
    Finalist
  • Premiere Stages New Play Series
    Premiere Stages
    Semi-Finalist
    2016
  • Seven Devils Theatre Conference
    Seven Devils
    Finalist
    2016