Victorian Psychedelic Sleepover Play

by Mak Shealy

On the eve of a 16th birthday, four teens meet after their writing is rejected by the school lit mag to create a Literary Zine of their own. Seeking editorial guidance, they conjure the ghosts of writers past and find themselves possessed by the spirit, chaos and conflict of the Victorian Era radicals they have long admired.

On the eve of a 16th birthday, four teens meet after their writing is rejected by the school lit mag to create a Literary Zine of their own. Seeking editorial guidance, they conjure the ghosts of writers past and find themselves possessed by the spirit, chaos and conflict of the Victorian Era radicals they have long admired.

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Victorian Psychedelic Sleepover Play

Recommended by

  • Xavier Clark: Victorian Psychedelic Sleepover Play by Mak Shealy
    “

    Mak has a way of giving agency and competency to young voices through their writing that is uncanny, which is on full display in VPSP. As the characters in this play navigate the highs and lows of being teenagers who feel a lot of feels fully and authentically, Mak's language begins to transcend centuries, literary icons and theatrical boundaries. I can't wait to see this play produced!

    Mak has a way of giving agency and competency to young voices through their writing that is uncanny, which is on full display in VPSP. As the characters in this play navigate the highs and lows of being teenagers who feel a lot of feels fully and authentically, Mak's language begins to transcend centuries, literary icons and theatrical boundaries. I can't wait to see this play produced!

    ”
  • Jan Rosenberg: Victorian Psychedelic Sleepover Play by Mak Shealy
    “

    Imagine if the babysitters club got together and were super literary and created a zine and took a sh-t ton of drugs. Most writers need drugs to get to Mak's level of consciousness. her plays are so immersed with poetry, history, and smelly, smelly teen spirit.

    Imagine if the babysitters club got together and were super literary and created a zine and took a sh-t ton of drugs. Most writers need drugs to get to Mak's level of consciousness. her plays are so immersed with poetry, history, and smelly, smelly teen spirit.

    ”
  • Amy Berryman: Victorian Psychedelic Sleepover Play by Mak Shealy
    “

    Loved this play when I saw it read at IAMA! Shealy's writing is razor-sharp and hilarious - it feels incredibly contemporary and fresh even as it crosses into the Victorian Era. Can't recommend this play enough!

    Loved this play when I saw it read at IAMA! Shealy's writing is razor-sharp and hilarious - it feels incredibly contemporary and fresh even as it crosses into the Victorian Era. Can't recommend this play enough!

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

* please note that "any ethnicity" does not mean "default to white / white-passing"
* where it is stated that a character is queer, Non-Binary or Trans, only queer, Non-Binary or Trans artists should be cast.
  • MAIA
    MAIA: 21+ to play 15; queer, non-binary or Trans (uses they/them pronouns); any ethnicity * also plays MARY MACLANE
    15
    any ethnicity
    Non-binary; Trans; uses they/them pronouns
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • ZEKE
    ZEKE: 21+ to play 16; queer, non-binary or Trans (uses she/they pronouns); BIPOC
    * also plays ALICE DUNBAR-NELSON
    16
    BIPOC
    Non-binary; Trans; uses they/them pronouns
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • 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
  • SYBIL
    SYBIL: 21+ to play 16; any sexuality, uses she/her pronouns; BIPOC
    *also plays CLARICE LISPECTOR
    16
    BIPOC
    Script uses she/her
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • CADY
    CADY: 21+ to play 16; any sexuality, uses she/her pronouns; any ethnicity
    * also plays CHARLOTTE BRONTË
    15
    any ethnicity
    Script uses she/her
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • CARTER
    CARTER: 30s; queer; pregnant during the play, uses she/her pronouns; any ethnicity
    * also plays RACHILDE
    30s
    any ethnicity
    Any (but written using she/her pronouns)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • AIDEN
    AIDEN: 21+ to play 18; queer, uses he/him pronouns; any ethnicity
    * also plays ALFRED JARRY
    18
    any ethnicity
    script uses he/him
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s

Development History

  • Reading, Ensemble Studio Theatre Los Angeles, 2024

Awards

  • Barr Hill Players Fellowship
    Barr Hill Players
    Finalist
    2024
  • Read & Rant
    Athena Stage
    Audience Choice
    2024
  • Dramatists Guild National Fellowship
    The Dramatists Guild
    Semi-Finalist
    2023