The Pigeon Play

by Cody Goulder

Love can be hard to find, especially for a young pigeon on a telephone wire. To meet in such a potentially dangerous place: one touch or slip and it's an electric end. At least, that is the idea presented by the great flock leader Alabaster, who demands order and purity from his young flock of birds. But, for Rue and Prue, the prospect of love and connection might be too great to ignore. And, on the day of a...

Love can be hard to find, especially for a young pigeon on a telephone wire. To meet in such a potentially dangerous place: one touch or slip and it's an electric end. At least, that is the idea presented by the great flock leader Alabaster, who demands order and purity from his young flock of birds. But, for Rue and Prue, the prospect of love and connection might be too great to ignore. And, on the day of a fellow birds funeral, the two must choose if connecting on this bare telephone wire might be worth losing it all.

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The Pigeon Play

Recommended by

  • Jasmine Spiess: The Pigeon Play by Cody Goulder
    “

    This play is such a wonderful commentary on religious fundamentalism and cleverly addresses the issue using pigeons. I found myself really rooting for Rue and Prue to be able to live their lives and be happy on their terms. The characters are so earnest. Of course, the backdrop of a funeral adds to the comedy. Can’t wait to see how it continues to develop after seeing it at the Valdez Theatre Conference!

    This play is such a wonderful commentary on religious fundamentalism and cleverly addresses the issue using pigeons. I found myself really rooting for Rue and Prue to be able to live their lives and be happy on their terms. The characters are so earnest. Of course, the backdrop of a funeral adds to the comedy. Can’t wait to see how it continues to develop after seeing it at the Valdez Theatre Conference!

    ”

Character Information

With the exception of Alabaster, all roles should be cast as gender/sex neutral. I mean, these are pigeons after all. One shouldn't stick to opposite sex or gender in the performers.
  • Rue
    A teenage pigeon ready to mate.
    16 and up
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
  • Prue
    Another pigeon also in the mood to mate.
    16 and up
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
  • Dee
    Best pigeon friend to Rue and might be ready to mate but waiting until the season is right.
    16 and up
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
  • Alabaster
    An elderly pigeon who has an almost apocalyptic obsession with God and the telephone wire. Think Billy Graham in pigeon form.
    40 and up
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male