The Snallygaster (Full-Length Version)

Written by Barry Wallace

A young writer goes in search of stories about his Appalachian heritage. He discovers an enigmatic relative who exposes a horrifying truth about his family's past. Mountain folklore meets contemporary suspense on one writer's journey as he rediscovers his forgotten childhood and confront the power of storytelling.
v3.1

Premiered at Tennessee Stage Company's New Play Festival in January 2025 as 2-performance...

A young writer goes in search of stories about his Appalachian heritage. He discovers an enigmatic relative who exposes a horrifying truth about his family's past. Mountain folklore meets contemporary suspense on one writer's journey as he rediscovers his forgotten childhood and confront the power of storytelling.
v3.1

Premiered at Tennessee Stage Company's New Play Festival in January 2025 as 2-performance staged reading.

Staged Reading performed on Nov. 20, 2025 at Centre Stage in Greeneville, SC as part of the 2025 New Play Festival.

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The Snallygaster (Full-Length Version)

Recommended by

  • Harrison Young: The Snallygaster (Full-Length Version) Written by Barry Wallace
    “

    If you'ever want a play about the cryptid of the Snallygaster, start here. Barry's got a suspenseful one-act and two-act version for his play SNALLYGASTER. Having been a dramaturg for the two-act version recently, it has multiple smaller stories inside that provide interesting focuses on the art of southern storytelling. The role of Grandma steals the show. Consider either version of SNALLYGASTER for fans of myths or tense familial histories.

    If you'ever want a play about the cryptid of the Snallygaster, start here. Barry's got a suspenseful one-act and two-act version for his play SNALLYGASTER. Having been a dramaturg for the two-act version recently, it has multiple smaller stories inside that provide interesting focuses on the art of southern storytelling. The role of Grandma steals the show. Consider either version of SNALLYGASTER for fans of myths or tense familial histories.

    ”

Character Information

7 Males, 3 Females, 1 Any Gender.

The following characters can be doubled:
● MARCUS/PA/DEAN
● MA/MEG/GRANNY
● GRANDPA/JAKE/UNCLE HARRY/CONDUCTOR
  • Tim
    Young up-and-coming writer in the online travel business.
    25-30
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Granny
    Appears at first to be elderly, but eventually transforms to a hale and hearty person.
    35-70+
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Uncle Harry
    Older relative of Tim's from up in the hills.
    50-60
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Marcus
    Chicago native, Tim's editor and owner of travel website
    30-45
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
  • Ma
    A youngish mountain woman of the early 20th century
    25-30
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Pa
    A mountain man of the early 20th century.
    25-35
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Grandpa
    An older mountain man in his 70's from the early 19th century
    70+
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Meg
    A nurse traveling on the train.
    25-35
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Jake
    A backwoods mountain man
    35+
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Dean
    A backwoods mountain man
    25-35
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Conductor
    Off-stage voice
    Any
    Any
    Any

Development History

  • Reading, Tennessee Stage Company, 2025
  • Residency, Tennessee Stage Company, 2024
  • Workshop, Tennessee Stage Company, 2024
  • Reading, New American Folk Theatre, 2022-2023
  • Commission, New American Folk Theatre, 2022

Production History

  • Workshop, Tennessee Stage Company, 2025