But Soft

by Vince Gatton

[SHORT] Two roommates at boarding school are picking monologues for an upcoming audition for their school's production of Romeo and Juliet. The choice proves more momentous than expected.

[SHORT] Two roommates at boarding school are picking monologues for an upcoming audition for their school's production of Romeo and Juliet. The choice proves more momentous than expected.

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But Soft

Recommended by

  • Craig Houk: But Soft

    A profoundly potent short piece. Gatton is an exceptional dialogist/storyteller, never failing to pack a wallop in ways that are eternally surprising. A beautifully layered and tender exchange between two young men preparing to audition for a Shakespearean play.

    A profoundly potent short piece. Gatton is an exceptional dialogist/storyteller, never failing to pack a wallop in ways that are eternally surprising. A beautifully layered and tender exchange between two young men preparing to audition for a Shakespearean play.

  • Aly Kantor: But Soft

    There is something deliciously intimate about this story of two high school theatre kids (who SOUND authentically like high school theatre kids) selecting Shakespearean audition material that connects. It's a phenomenal vehicle for two young, in sync actors, allowing them to show off their contemporary dramatic chops AND their skill with the classics! There are definitely some young performers who will see themselves in these characters, so I am glad this material exists. Although I don't know what will happen to these two beyond this moment, the play left me with questions... and the warmest...

    There is something deliciously intimate about this story of two high school theatre kids (who SOUND authentically like high school theatre kids) selecting Shakespearean audition material that connects. It's a phenomenal vehicle for two young, in sync actors, allowing them to show off their contemporary dramatic chops AND their skill with the classics! There are definitely some young performers who will see themselves in these characters, so I am glad this material exists. Although I don't know what will happen to these two beyond this moment, the play left me with questions... and the warmest, fuzziest feeling of hope!

  • John Busser: But Soft

    There's a fine sense of unspoken feeling underlying the actual words here. Vince Gatton has a sharp ear for the type of dialogue that speaks two different tones. That which is meant on the surface, and that which is implied. It's wonderfully done here and the audience should be left feeling that the play they WANT to see involves these 2 young men and where THEIR story takes them. Terrific stuff.

    There's a fine sense of unspoken feeling underlying the actual words here. Vince Gatton has a sharp ear for the type of dialogue that speaks two different tones. That which is meant on the surface, and that which is implied. It's wonderfully done here and the audience should be left feeling that the play they WANT to see involves these 2 young men and where THEIR story takes them. Terrific stuff.

View all 13 recommendations

Character Information

  • Evan
    Teen boy, any ethnicity, plausibly likely to get cast as the romantic lead in his high school play
    Character Age
    Teens
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Jesse
    Teen boy, any ethnicity, highly unlikely to get cast as the romantic lead in his high school play. Very good with Shakespearian verse.
    Character Age
    Teen
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Production History