PANDORA SHAKES THINGS UP: A Myth Inverse

by Maizy Broderick Scarpa

A Greek myth re-written in verse, inverse, and set in an abstinence-only high school.

A Greek myth re-written in verse, inverse, and set in an abstinence-only high school.

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PANDORA SHAKES THINGS UP: A Myth Inverse

Recommended by

  • Rachel Feeny-Williams: PANDORA SHAKES THINGS UP: A Myth Inverse by Maizy Broderick Scarpa
    “

    To take the serious issue of the promotion of abstinence amongst teenagers and make it the central topic of a play is interesting in itself. But to then set that issue against the backdrop of a high school and sew it all together using a Greek myth and rhyming dialogue is truly genius! Its a truly new way of informing and entertaining that both performers and audiences will enjoy immensely.

    To take the serious issue of the promotion of abstinence amongst teenagers and make it the central topic of a play is interesting in itself. But to then set that issue against the backdrop of a high school and sew it all together using a Greek myth and rhyming dialogue is truly genius! Its a truly new way of informing and entertaining that both performers and audiences will enjoy immensely.

    ”
  • Annie Considine: PANDORA SHAKES THINGS UP: A Myth Inverse by Maizy Broderick Scarpa
    “

    Hilarious and so clever! Amazing wordplay.

    Hilarious and so clever! Amazing wordplay.

    ”
  • Andy Reynolds: PANDORA SHAKES THINGS UP: A Myth Inverse by Maizy Broderick Scarpa
    “

    Smart, funny, slyly subversive - and written completely in verse. What could be better?

    Smart, funny, slyly subversive - and written completely in verse. What could be better?

    ”

Character Information

CASTING NOTE
Diversity of all sorts (gender, race, ability, body-type etc) should be actively sought while casting. It is effective to cast a woman or a non-binary actor actor as EPIMETHEUS, as it further enhances the themes of the play. PANDORA should be played by someone who is not a "traditional ingenue." If ARES is cast as a person of color, it is imperative that one or more of the following characters also be played by POC: JANITOR, PANDORA, EPIMETHEUS.
  • Epimetheus
    A kid with hindsight.
    Teenager
    Any
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
  • Janitor
    Custodian.
    Classically blue-collar, empathetic, wise, and regal.
    Adult
    Any
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Pandora
    A curious girl.
    Ideally, played by someone who is not a "traditional ingenue."
    Teenager
    Any
    Female-identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Ares
    A jock.
    If Ares is cast as a person of color, it is imperative that one or more of the following characters also be played by POC: Janitor, Pandora, Epimetheus.
    Teenager
    Any
    Male Identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Loudspeaker
    The school PA System.
    Adult
    Any
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Teacher
    A teacher.
    Adult
    Any
    Female-identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading, Twisted Classics Festival, Method & Madness Theatre Co., 2019
  • Reading, Twisted Classics Festival, Method & Madness Theatre Co., 2019
  • Reading, Radius Festival, Berkshire Playwrights Lab , 2018
  • Workshop, Berkshire Playwrights Lab Writers' Group, 2017
  • Reading, Shakespeare & Company Fringe Festival, 2017

Awards

  • Twisted Classics Festival
    Method and Madness Theatre Co.
    Finalist
    2019
  • Radius New Play Festival
    Berkshire Playwrights Lab
    Finalist
    2018