After Jane

by Rachel Luann Strayer

FULL-LENGTH PLAY. Jane, Kat, and Mary Grey could be normal teenage girls navigating the world of parties, parents, and cute teenage boys, except for the fact that this is 1553 and one of them is about to become Queen of England at age sixteen. This irreverent take on true historical events highlights the absurdity of the position these sisters found themselves in, while also diving into the aftermath of true...

FULL-LENGTH PLAY. Jane, Kat, and Mary Grey could be normal teenage girls navigating the world of parties, parents, and cute teenage boys, except for the fact that this is 1553 and one of them is about to become Queen of England at age sixteen. This irreverent take on true historical events highlights the absurdity of the position these sisters found themselves in, while also diving into the aftermath of true loss and tragedy.

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After Jane

Recommended by

  • John Bavoso: After Jane

    In AFTER JANE, Strayer has crafted a play specifically for teens that not only educates about a less-known historical figure, but also speaks to issues and feelings—like grief and romantic uncertainty—that transcend age and time. Very much worth a read!

    In AFTER JANE, Strayer has crafted a play specifically for teens that not only educates about a less-known historical figure, but also speaks to issues and feelings—like grief and romantic uncertainty—that transcend age and time. Very much worth a read!

  • Emma Goldman-Sherman: After Jane

    "Being seen is not the same as being looked at." (My favorite line.) After Jane is a fun look at history that would be a wonderful show for any young cast to play! 3/4 of the way in it screeches into the present using the history, very Caryl Churchill, and Strayer pulls it off brilliantly. I enjoyed the early touches of the different periods from the opening that will be so much fun for the designers. I also really enjoyed the women doing the kiss-initiating. Thank you for this!

    "Being seen is not the same as being looked at." (My favorite line.) After Jane is a fun look at history that would be a wonderful show for any young cast to play! 3/4 of the way in it screeches into the present using the history, very Caryl Churchill, and Strayer pulls it off brilliantly. I enjoyed the early touches of the different periods from the opening that will be so much fun for the designers. I also really enjoyed the women doing the kiss-initiating. Thank you for this!

  • Toby Malone: After Jane

    I've always loved the hopelessly sad story of Lady Jane Grey, the 'Nine Days' Queen', who found herself and her faith at the wrong end of the wrath of the woman who would become known as Bloody Mary, the quintessential footnote of sixteenth century England. Rachel Luann Strayer has created the story that Jane has always deserved: an irreverent, witty, irrepressibly modern take on Jane, her family, and what might have been. This is an absolute delight with incredibly strong roles for actresses and is the rare play to truly cast new light on history. A real find.

    I've always loved the hopelessly sad story of Lady Jane Grey, the 'Nine Days' Queen', who found herself and her faith at the wrong end of the wrath of the woman who would become known as Bloody Mary, the quintessential footnote of sixteenth century England. Rachel Luann Strayer has created the story that Jane has always deserved: an irreverent, witty, irrepressibly modern take on Jane, her family, and what might have been. This is an absolute delight with incredibly strong roles for actresses and is the rare play to truly cast new light on history. A real find.

Character Information

In addition to the characters listed, the script suggests partygoers, mourners, a citizen, and a voice. These characters can be separately cast, suggested by sound effects, or in some cases, doubled with the original cast. They can be any race/ethnic identity and any gender.
  • Jane
    Character Age
    Teen
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female / Female Identifying
  • Kat
    Character Age
    Teen
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female / Female Identifying
  • Mary
    Character Age
    Teen
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female / Female Identifying
  • Frances
    Character Age
    18+
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female / Female Identifying
  • Henry
    Character Age
    18+
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male / Male Identifying
  • Herbert
    Character Age
    Teen
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male / Male Identifying
  • Guilford
    Character Age
    Teen
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male / Male Identifying
  • Edward
    Character Age
    Teen
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male / Male Identifying
  • Thomas
    Character Age
    Teen
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male / Male Identifying
  • John
    Character Age
    18+
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male / Male Identifying

Production History