Astroturf (10-Minute Play)

by Kolin Lawler

After an environmental catastrophe, humanity has splintered off into sedan-sized space capsules launched far into the reaches of space, in hopes the whole ordeal will blow over. In the deep nothingness of it all, nomads Nelson and Attaya are on a long distance “Space Date”.

After an environmental catastrophe, humanity has splintered off into sedan-sized space capsules launched far into the reaches of space, in hopes the whole ordeal will blow over. In the deep nothingness of it all, nomads Nelson and Attaya are on a long distance “Space Date”.

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Astroturf (10-Minute Play)

Recommended by

  • Emmet L.F. Cameron: Astroturf (10-Minute Play) by Kolin Lawler
    “

    I just listened to this play on the Sell Yourself Short podcast, & I am hooked! This piece is such a poignant example of how speculative fiction can tie our current experiences of grief & loneliness to the grief & loneliness of hypothetical future people. It is as close as we get to holding space with our descendants…in space. So happy to learn that there is more of these characters & this universe to discover.

    I just listened to this play on the Sell Yourself Short podcast, & I am hooked! This piece is such a poignant example of how speculative fiction can tie our current experiences of grief & loneliness to the grief & loneliness of hypothetical future people. It is as close as we get to holding space with our descendants…in space. So happy to learn that there is more of these characters & this universe to discover.

    ”
  • Kenndall Wallace: Astroturf (10-Minute Play) by Kolin Lawler
    “

    I saw a reading of this play at the Kennedy Center a few days ago, and I couldn't recommend it enough! The comedic timing is very well done, the dialogue flows exceptionally well, and there's a certain relatability to both characters that makes the play feel close to home-- even if it's set in space.

    I saw a reading of this play at the Kennedy Center a few days ago, and I couldn't recommend it enough! The comedic timing is very well done, the dialogue flows exceptionally well, and there's a certain relatability to both characters that makes the play feel close to home-- even if it's set in space.

    ”
  • Dane Futrell: Astroturf (10-Minute Play) by Kolin Lawler
    “

    Had the pleasure of seeing this presented at the Kennedy Center a couple days ago, and the energy within the room was palpable as the audience latched onto the well-constructed world presented by Lawler. The comedy is matched well with the heart-wrenching tensions posed by an ambiguous version of Earth stuck in its post-life stage.

    Had the pleasure of seeing this presented at the Kennedy Center a couple days ago, and the energy within the room was palpable as the audience latched onto the well-constructed world presented by Lawler. The comedy is matched well with the heart-wrenching tensions posed by an ambiguous version of Earth stuck in its post-life stage.

    ”
NELSON (30’s. Any Gender), Left earth out of fear of seeing his loved ones suffer. Optimistic about returning to earth.
ATTAYA (30’s. Any Gender), Left earth by winning a raffle. Had little keeping her behind. Content to adapt to her new life.

Development History

  • Reading, KCACTF Region 4, 2024
  • Reading, The Kennedy Center, 2024
  • Reading, Central PA Theatre and Dance Festival, 2022

Awards