Bear Baiting

by Anna Tatelman

Bear Baiting is a ten-minute play about two childhood friends, Steve and Dylan, who are now in their mid-30s. Dylan semi-recently came out as gay to Steve and started subsequently not wanting to do most of the things they’d done together since they were teenagers, like going hunting. The play begins when Steve arrives on Dylan’s doorstep, ostensibly to say good-bye to Dylan before Dylan moves across the country...

Bear Baiting is a ten-minute play about two childhood friends, Steve and Dylan, who are now in their mid-30s. Dylan semi-recently came out as gay to Steve and started subsequently not wanting to do most of the things they’d done together since they were teenagers, like going hunting. The play begins when Steve arrives on Dylan’s doorstep, ostensibly to say good-bye to Dylan before Dylan moves across the country with his boyfriend.

read more
  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

Bear Baiting

Recommended by

  • David Lipschutz: Bear Baiting by Anna Tatelman
    “

    BEAR BAITING is an emotionally powerful play by Anna Tatelman. It follows two complex characters in longtime friends Dylan and Steve. I was lucky to see a workshop production at the Mid-America Theatre Conference.

    BEAR BAITING is an emotionally powerful play by Anna Tatelman. It follows two complex characters in longtime friends Dylan and Steve. I was lucky to see a workshop production at the Mid-America Theatre Conference.

    ”
  • Karen Saari: Bear Baiting by Anna Tatelman
    “

    This is an intriguing story about the complexities of friendship, letting go and acceptance. The use of bear and outdoors imagery is put to brilliant use by Anna Tatelman. The relationship here is relatable for most of us who have been in a friendship that may or may not have the strength to evolve. It's funny and heartbreaking at various turns. Definitely recommend, after seeing this play read at the 2024 Mid-America Theater Conference.

    This is an intriguing story about the complexities of friendship, letting go and acceptance. The use of bear and outdoors imagery is put to brilliant use by Anna Tatelman. The relationship here is relatable for most of us who have been in a friendship that may or may not have the strength to evolve. It's funny and heartbreaking at various turns. Definitely recommend, after seeing this play read at the 2024 Mid-America Theater Conference.

    ”

Character Information

  • Dylan
    mid-30s
    (assigned male at birth - plot relevant)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Steve
    Steve can be played by an actor of any race/ethnicity. However, Steve probably embodies some white supremacy ideas.
    mid-30s
    Any Race/Ethnic Idenity
    (assigned male at birth - plot relevant)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Workshop, Mid-America Theatre Conference, 2024
  • Workshop, Pacific Play Company, 2023