This Is Just a Box

by River Timms

(FULL LENGTH, SCI-FI/DRAMA, 2 hours)

"You have to be brilliant. You have to create something legendary, something that lasts. And this is it."

Meg has finally cracked it; she’s finally built the machine of her dreams called ‘The Box’, a device that induces painless death, and she’s ready to bring it to her city cluster en masse. As the success of ‘The Box’ takes off, Meg’s original vision for her invention...

(FULL LENGTH, SCI-FI/DRAMA, 2 hours)

"You have to be brilliant. You have to create something legendary, something that lasts. And this is it."

Meg has finally cracked it; she’s finally built the machine of her dreams called ‘The Box’, a device that induces painless death, and she’s ready to bring it to her city cluster en masse. As the success of ‘The Box’ takes off, Meg’s original vision for her invention becomes twisted by her business partners who are only looking at the bottom line.

'This Is Just a Box' is a sci-fi tale in four acts and three blooms about death, class, and capital’s ability to corrupt and erode even the best of inventions.

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This Is Just a Box

Recommended by

  • Nick Malakhow: This Is Just a Box by River Timms
    “

    A complex and thorny play that looks at the terrifying intersection of capitalism, assisted suicide, and mental health. I really enjoyed the use of simultaneous scenes, which helped illuminate character and plot shifts in one another in a clever and suspenseful fashion. I also really appreciated the subtle and clear world building that slowly but surely paints a portrait of a dreadful, dystopian world ravaged by even harsher economic disparities than our own. I'm eager to follow this play's development trajectory and would love to see it on its feet!

    A complex and thorny play that looks at the terrifying intersection of capitalism, assisted suicide, and mental health. I really enjoyed the use of simultaneous scenes, which helped illuminate character and plot shifts in one another in a clever and suspenseful fashion. I also really appreciated the subtle and clear world building that slowly but surely paints a portrait of a dreadful, dystopian world ravaged by even harsher economic disparities than our own. I'm eager to follow this play's development trajectory and would love to see it on its feet!

    ”

Character Information

The actor playing GERALD should double as GABRIEL.
  • Meg
    A brilliant scientist that has finally created her magnum opus
    Mid 30s
    Bi-racial/multi-racial
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Sonya
    A tech specialist working for a company called SchizTech in their nanotechnology division
    Mid 30s
    Bi-racial/multi-racial
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Jonny
    A sharp investor fighting tooth and nail to make it back to First Plate
    Early 40s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Katerina
    Older than her years, and quite tired besides
    Early 40s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Ivy
    A government agent, a true professional in most ways
    Late 30s/Early 40s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Gerald
    A cashier for a Necropolis Tech Store; needs a raise
    Late 20s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Gabriel
    A ghost of someone lost long ago
    Late 20s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • The Box
    A machine designed for peaceful suicide; comes equipped with a pleasant voice that guides users through 'The Box Process'

Development History

Awards