Rough Draft

by Marjorie Bicknell

Full Length. Nobody thinks Katie Berkebeiner has what it takes to make it in the theater. Not her parents back on their Pennsylvania farm. Not her college teachers. Not the people she auditions for over and over again. Even the members of the theater company she founded are finding success and leaving her behind. So can Katie transform herself into K. T. Berkebeiner, playwright? Or is she doomed to wind up back...

Full Length. Nobody thinks Katie Berkebeiner has what it takes to make it in the theater. Not her parents back on their Pennsylvania farm. Not her college teachers. Not the people she auditions for over and over again. Even the members of the theater company she founded are finding success and leaving her behind. So can Katie transform herself into K. T. Berkebeiner, playwright? Or is she doomed to wind up back on the farm forever?

read more
  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

Rough Draft

Recommended by

  • Patricia Milton: Rough Draft by Marjorie Bicknell
    “

    Marjorie was polishing this gem at the Vermont Studio Center where we both were in residence. So much to love and laugh with here: the plucky protagonist, the sly wit, the exasperation felt by every female playwright since the dawn of theater, the fun characterizations of historical characters. Enjoy!

    Marjorie was polishing this gem at the Vermont Studio Center where we both were in residence. So much to love and laugh with here: the plucky protagonist, the sly wit, the exasperation felt by every female playwright since the dawn of theater, the fun characterizations of historical characters. Enjoy!

    ”
  • Peter Fenton: Rough Draft by Marjorie Bicknell
    “

    Anyone who has ever written a play before can relate to Katie (or K.T.)’s journey through ROUGH DRAFT. Marjorie Bicknell weaves a witty, heartfelt, brilliant story of everything that went into getting a single award. I laughed out a few times (the Catholic professor was a favorite one-scene character) and related all too well to the ups and downs of a theatre professional’s journey to success. I say well done!

    Anyone who has ever written a play before can relate to Katie (or K.T.)’s journey through ROUGH DRAFT. Marjorie Bicknell weaves a witty, heartfelt, brilliant story of everything that went into getting a single award. I laughed out a few times (the Catholic professor was a favorite one-scene character) and related all too well to the ups and downs of a theatre professional’s journey to success. I say well done!

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: Rough Draft by Marjorie Bicknell
    “

    A riveting drama about the theater career about a resilient woman who wouldn't give up and we're rooting for her! Well done.

    A riveting drama about the theater career about a resilient woman who wouldn't give up and we're rooting for her! Well done.

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

One actor plays Katie Berkebeiner. The other four double constantly to play many. many characters.
  • The Playwright (Katie Berkebeiner)
    Katie is a woman who tends to let people walk all over her until she is cornered or offended, and then, watch out! The strong feisty Katie appears. She is also indefatigable. Nothing gets her down or keeps her down for long.
    late 30s to early 40s and younger
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Actor 1 (Male)
    Someone who is able to play many roles, from a college student to a judge; from a father to Robert E. Lee.
    late 30s to 60s
    Any
    Presents Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Actor 2 (Male)
    An actor able to play anyone from a college student to a stage director, a young farmer to Ulyssess S. Grant and Joseph Conrad
    late 20s to 40s
    Any (but probably white)
    Presents Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Actor 3 (Female)
    An actor who can play a a college student or a nun, an actor, a mother, a dancer, etc. Must be great at switching roles on a dime.
    20s and up
    Any
    Presents Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Actor 4 (female)
    An actor who can play a wide variety of roles, from a dancer to a nun, to a lawyer to a mother. Must be able to switch characters on a dime.
    30s and up
    Any
    Presents Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Reading, Philadelphia Dramatists Center, 2019