Exhibits in the Zoo

by Matt Harmon

DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARD at the 2019 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival

FINALIST at the ThinkTank Theatre 2021 TYA Playwright's Festival

DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARD at the 2019 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival

FINALIST at the ThinkTank Theatre 2021 TYA Playwright's Festival

Mendel is an imaginative, bright boy that finds joy in the most unlikely places. The only thing keeping this joy contained is the German occupation of his home city in Warsaw, Poland. When Mendel finds a German soldier’s camera while begging in the Plac, a new world is unlocked for him where he sees things as he wishes to see them. However, his parents know this camera, coupled with Mendel’s inability to produce vocalized sound, make him a target. As Mendel, his parents, and everyone around them grapple with the dangers of imagination under persecution, Mendel refuses to let his dreams be crushed.

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Exhibits in the Zoo

Recommended by

Germaine Shames: Exhibits in the Zoo by Matt Harmon

“

With compassion, soul and unblunted honesty, Matt Harmon captures the daily horror and dimming hope of life in the Warsaw Ghetto during the first years of WWII. I had the good fortune to attend a staged reading of "Exhibits in the Zoo" at ThinkTank TYA's recent Playwrights Festival, an experience I'm unlikely to forget. Darkly luminous, this play shook me to my core. Matt Harmon is one fearless young playwright to watch.

With compassion, soul and unblunted honesty, Matt Harmon captures the daily horror and dimming hope of life in the Warsaw Ghetto during the first years of WWII. I had the good fortune to attend a staged reading of "Exhibits in the Zoo" at ThinkTank TYA's recent Playwrights Festival, an experience I'm unlikely to forget. Darkly luminous, this play shook me to my core. Matt Harmon is one fearless young playwright to watch.

”
Daniel Prillaman: Exhibits in the Zoo by Matt Harmon

“

Wow. Harmon’s play is a poignant and heartfelt feat, creating a tremendous playground for young actors (and designers) amidst the backdrop of German-occupied Poland. I am in awe of Harmon's skill here, because he NAILS the impossibly thin line of respecting and acknowledging the grim truth of the history, while still allowing the characters freedom in the joy and wonder they find. It is precisely the kind of script we need more of, no matter your age, and is a staggering piece of theatre you need to be aware of.

Wow. Harmon’s play is a poignant and heartfelt feat, creating a tremendous playground for young actors (and designers) amidst the backdrop of German-occupied Poland. I am in awe of Harmon's skill here, because he NAILS the impossibly thin line of respecting and acknowledging the grim truth of the history, while still allowing the characters freedom in the joy and wonder they find. It is precisely the kind of script we need more of, no matter your age, and is a staggering piece of theatre you need to be aware of.

”
Doug DeVita: Exhibits in the Zoo by Matt Harmon

“

Matt Harmon's portrait of the Warsaw Ghetto circa 1941, as seen through the eyes of an imaginative mute boy, is a painfully, wondrously beautiful work of art. Brief and swift-moving, it is nonetheless layered, nuanced, and pack with tense emotion – the horrific world surrounding this child is unstintingly portrayed, as is his refusal to let it kill his creative spirit. A perfect TYA, it resonates for all ages and sensibilities, and if there's any justice it will be produced often.

Matt Harmon's portrait of the Warsaw Ghetto circa 1941, as seen through the eyes of an imaginative mute boy, is a painfully, wondrously beautiful work of art. Brief and swift-moving, it is nonetheless layered, nuanced, and pack with tense emotion – the horrific world surrounding this child is unstintingly portrayed, as is his refusal to let it kill his creative spirit. A perfect TYA, it resonates for all ages and sensibilities, and if there's any justice it will be produced often.

”

View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

This version of the script combines the Beggar (originally two roles) into one character and the Soldier (originally three roles) into one character with voiceovers. If interested in performing with more cast members, a script with the original 10 characters can be provided.

Mendel

Eight year old boy. Has aphonia and cannot produce voiced sound. Incredibly inquisitive and fun-loving.

Character Age

Child (8-10)

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Male or male-identifying
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  Child
- Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
  
  White
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Male
Liba

Mendel’s mother. In her 40s. Strong in her beliefs. Protective.

Character Age

40s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Female / Female-Identifying
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  40s
- Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
  
  White
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Female
Eli

Mendel’s father. Late 40s-early 50s. Light-hearted despite the hunger growing inside of him.

Character Age

Late 40s - Early 50s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Male or male-identifying
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  40s,
  
  50s
- Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
  
  White
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Male
Beggar

Gender non-descript. Speaks in two distinct voices, one male-sounding and one female-sounding. Has a knack for the dramatic flair. Slapstick but nothing funny about it.

Character Age

Any

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Any
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s,
  
  30s,
  
  40s,
  
  50s,
  
  60s,
  
  70s+
- Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
  
  White
Soldier

Speaks only German. A tourist, visiting and taking pictures of the Ghetto.

Character Age

Any Adult Age

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

White

Character Gender Identity

Male or male-identifying
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s,
  
  30s,
  
  40s,
  
  50s,
  
  60s,
  
  70s+
- Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
  
  White
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Male
Shmuel

Seven years old. SHLOMO’s younger brother. A follower. Stubborn yet joyful.

Character Age

Child (7-9)

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Male or male-identifying
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  Child
- Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
  
  White
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Male
Shlomo

Twelve years old. SHMUEL’s older brother. Prideful and wise beyond his years.

Character Age

Tween-Teenager

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any

Character Gender Identity

Male or male-identifying
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  Teens
- Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
  
  White
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Male

Development History

Type Reading, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Year 2019
Type Workshop, Organization Blank Space Workshops, Year 2019

Production History

Type Professional, ThinkTank Theatre, TYA, Year 2022
Type Professional, ThinkTank Theatre, TYA, Year 2021
Type Community Theater, Central Florida Community Arts, Year 2020
Type University, Organization Basement Arts at University of Michigan, Year 2020

Awards

2021 TYA Playwrights Festival

ThinkTank Theatre, TYA

Finalist

2021
Roy W. Cowden Memorial Fellowship

University of Michigan Hopwood Awards

2020
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival John Cauble One Act Play National Finalist

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Runner Up

2019

Genre

docudrama/historic,

drama,

period,

tragedy,

young audiences

Subject Matter Keywords

historical,

disability,

World War II

Length

30-60 minutes

Cast Size

7—10

Age of Intended Audience

all ages

Narrative Attributes

Centers Characters with a Disability

Supporting Materials

Script Sample

Exhibits in the Zoo Script Sample.pdf

Reviews

Creative Loafing Tampa Bay

“
ThinkTank Theatre’s production of Matt Harmon’s portrait of Holocaust Jews as “Exhibits in the Zoo” is an all too painful reminder of human cruelty and delusion.
”
BroadwayWorld

“
Through this story of pain, heartbreak, beauty, and joy, we find a deeper meaning through the eyes of the characters living in this world. An overarching theme of Hope is on display not only through Matt Harmon's dialogue but also in the exceptional staging done by THINKTANKTYA...
”
Stage, TV, and Cinema Art & Artists

“
We are told of the under-the-boot life in a Polish shtetl in WW2 and of the joys and wonders of a mute boy there when he finds a Nazi soldier's camera ... Oppression has its price in more ways than one... What a fine piece of theatre this is!!!
”