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27 Wagons Full of Cotton

Tennessee Williams

Mississippi, USA

A cotton gin owner's wife faces manipulation and seduction from a rival.

1940s

Drama

TONE

Dark, tense

THEMES

Exploitation, revenge, isolation

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs

KEY CHARACTERS

Jake (M, 40s), Flora (F, 30s), Silva (M, 30s)

3 Plays: The Father, Miss Julie, Easter

August Strindberg

Sweden

A set of plays exploring societal issues and interpersonal struggles.

1880s-1890s

Drama

TONE

Tragic

THEMES

Power dynamics, class, family

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Multiple (M/F, various)

5th of July

Lanford Wilson

Lebanon, Missouri, USA

A disabled Vietnam vet and his friends confront their disillusionments.

1970s

Drama

TONE

Bittersweet

THEMES

War trauma, identity, sexuality

SCENE TYPES

Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Ken (M, 30s), Gwen (F, 30s), John (M, 30s)

6 Rms Riv Vu

Bob Randall

New York City apartment

Two married strangers connect after getting locked in an apartment.

Contemporary

Comedy

TONE

Romantic

THEMES

Infidelity, loneliness

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs

KEY CHARACTERS

Paul (M, 30s), Anne (F, 30s)

A Day in the Death of Joe Egg

Peter Nichols

England

A couple struggles with the challenges of raising a disabled child.

1960s

Drama

TONE

Dark comedy

THEMES

Coping with illness, relationships

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Bri (M, 30s-40s), Sheila (F, 30s-40s)

A Doll's House

Henrik Ibsen

Norway

A woman confronts societal expectations as she reevaluates her marriage.

1870s

Tragedy

TONE

Dramatic

THEMES

Gender roles, independence

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Nora (F, 20s-30s), Torvald (M, 30s), Kristine (F, 30s-40s)

A Dream Play

August Strindberg

Sweden

A divine figure explores the struggles and pain of human existence.

Early 20th century

Expressionist

TONE

Surreal

THEMES

Human suffering, spiritual journey

SCENE TYPES

Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Agnes (F, 20s-30s), Lawyer (M, 30s), Officer (M, 30s)

A Hatful of Rain

Michael V. Gazzo

New York City

A veteran's struggle with addiction strains his family relationships.

1950s

Drama

TONE

Intense

THEMES

Addiction, family loyalty

SCENE TYPES

Two Men, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Johnny (M, 20s), Celia (F, 20s), Polo (M, 20s-30s)

A Lie of the Mind

Sam Shepard

Western U.S., Montana

A violent relationship forces a family to confront past and present traumas.

Contemporary

Drama

TONE

Dark, raw

THEMES

Trauma, identity, family dysfunction

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Beth (F, 20s-30s), Jake (M, 20s-30s), Frankie (M, 20s-30s)

A Life in the Theatre

David Mamet

A theatre stage

The dynamics of an older and younger actor evolve on and off the stage.

Contemporary

Comedy-Drama

TONE

Bittersweet

THEMES

Mentorship, artistry, aging

SCENE TYPES

Two Men

KEY CHARACTERS

Robert (M, 40s-50s), John (M, 20s-30s)

A Lonely Impulse of Delight

John Patrick Shanley

New York City

A man and woman experience a brief, intense romantic connection.

Contemporary

Drama

TONE

Poetic

THEMES

Romance, fleeting connection

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs

KEY CHARACTERS

Man (M, 30s-40s), Woman (F, 30s-40s)

A Loss of Roses

William Inge

Midwestern U.S.

A young man's life is altered by his attraction to a traveling actress.

1930s

Drama

TONE

Melancholic

THEMES

Dreams vs. reality, coming of age

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Lila (F, 20s-30s), Kenny (M, late teens)

A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur

Tennessee Williams

St. Louis, Missouri

Women navigate friendship and personal dreams in a small St. Louis apartment.

1930s

Comedy

TONE

Light, tender

THEMES

Friendship, loneliness

SCENE TYPES

Two Women, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Dorothea (F, 30s), Bodey (F, 30s), Helena (F, 20s-30s)

A Map of the World

David Hare

England

A journalist uncovers harsh truths in post-war England.

1970s

Drama

TONE

Thoughtful

THEMES

Morality, politics, journalism

SCENE TYPES

Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Stephen (M, 40s), Anna (F, 30s), Ellen (F, 30s-40s)

A Month in the Country

Ivan Turgenev

Russian countryside

A woman becomes infatuated with her young son's tutor.

1840s

Drama

TONE

Reflective

THEMES

Unrequited love, social class

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Natalya (F, 30s), Rakitin (M, 30s), Belyaev (M, 20s)

A Moon for the Misbegotten

Eugene O'Neill

Connecticut farmland

A woman attempts to save a man from his destructive habits.

1920s

Drama

TONE

Tragic

THEMES

Redemption, family, forgiveness

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs

KEY CHARACTERS

Josie (F, 30s), Jim (M, 30s-40s)

A Phoenix Too Frequent

Christopher Fry

A tomb

A woman mourning her husband meets a charming soldier.

Ancient Rome

Comedy

TONE

Witty

THEMES

Death, love, humor

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Dynamene (F, 20s), Tegeus (M, 20s-30s)

A Sea of White Horses

Peter Dee

Coastal location

Characters confront emotional loss by the sea.

Contemporary

Drama

TONE

Somber

THEMES

Loss, introspection

SCENE TYPES

Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Information limited

A Soldier's Play

Charles Fuller

Louisiana army base

A black officer investigates a murder within his unit during WWII.

1944

Drama

TONE

Tense

THEMES

Racism, justice, military life

SCENE TYPES

Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Waters (M, 40s), Davenport (M, 30s), Cobb (M, 20s)

A Stone Carver

William Mastrosimone

Rural America

A son returns to convince his father to leave their family home, now condemned.

Contemporary

Drama

TONE

Reflective

THEMES

Family legacy, reconciliation

SCENE TYPES

Two Men

KEY CHARACTERS

Agostino (M, 60s), Raff (M, 30s)

A Streetcar Named Desire

Tennessee Williams

New Orleans, Louisiana

A Southern belle faces her demons as she moves in with her sister.

1940s

Tragedy

TONE

Dark, tragic

THEMES

Desire, mental illness, power

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Blanche (F, 30s-40s), Stanley (M, 30s), Stella (F, 20s-30s)

A Woman of No Importance

Oscar Wilde

England

A young man’s parentage threatens his ambitions in high society.

Late 19th century

Comedy

TONE

Witty

THEMES

Morality, class, social hypocrisy

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Mrs. Arbuthnot (F, 40s), Gerald (M, 20s), Lord Illingworth (M, 50s)

After the Fall

Arthur Miller

New York, USA

A man reflects on his life and failed relationships amidst personal guilt.

20th century

Drama

TONE

Intense

THEMES

Guilt, love, self-examination

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Quentin (M, 40s), Maggie (F, 30s)

Agnes of God

John Pielmeier

Convent

A psychiatrist investigates a young nun’s involvement in a mysterious birth.

Contemporary

Mystery

TONE

Dark, mysterious

THEMES

Faith, innocence, mental health

SCENE TYPES

Two Women, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Agnes (F, 20s), Dr. Livingstone (F, 40s), Mother Miriam (F, 60s)

All God’s Chillun Got Wings

Eugene O'Neill

Urban America

An interracial couple struggles with societal and internal conflicts.

1920s

Drama

TONE

Tense

THEMES

Race, marriage, self-identity

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs

KEY CHARACTERS

Jim (M, 30s-40s), Ella (F, 30s)

Am I Blue

Beth Henley

New Orleans, Louisiana

Two teenagers bond over their insecurities and isolation.

Contemporary

Comedy

TONE

Quirky

THEMES

Adolescence, loneliness

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs

KEY CHARACTERS

John Polk (M, teens), Ashbe (F, teens)

American Blues

Various Authors

USA

A collection of plays reflecting the struggles and resilience of Americans.

20th century

Drama

TONE

Gritty

THEMES

American identity, hardship

SCENE TYPES

Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Various

An Enemy of the People

Henrik Ibsen

Norway

A doctor exposes a contaminated water system, clashing with the town.

1880s

Drama

TONE

Dramatic

THEMES

Integrity, public good, corruption

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Dr. Stockmann (M, 40s), Peter Stockmann (M, 50s)

An Ideal Husband

Oscar Wilde

London, England

A politician’s past comes to light, threatening his marriage and career.

1890s

Comedy

TONE

Witty

THEMES

Secrets, honor, hypocrisy

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Sir Robert Chiltern (M, 40s), Lady Chiltern (F, 30s), Lord Goring (M, 40s)

An Incident at the Standish Arms

William Inge

Hotel room

A couple examines their relationship in a moment of vulnerability.

Contemporary

Drama

TONE

Melancholic

THEMES

Unfulfilled dreams, love, regret

SCENE TYPES

Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Andy (M, 40s), Millie (F, 30s-40s)

An Italian American Reconciliation

John Patrick Shanley

New York City

A man tries to win back his ex-wife amidst family dynamics and culture.

Contemporary

Comedy

TONE

Romantic

THEMES

Love, cultural identity, reconciliation

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs

KEY CHARACTERS

Huey (M, 30s), Teresa (F, 30s), Janice (F, 30s)

And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little

Paul Zindel

New York City

Three sisters confront past traumas and family issues over a dinner.

1960s

Drama

TONE

Dark, tragic

THEMES

Family dysfunction, mental health

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Catherine (F, 30s-40s), Ceil (F, 30s-40s), Anna (F, 30s-40s)

And a Nightingale Sang

C. P. Taylor

Newcastle, England

A family faces love and loss during WWII in England.

WWII era

Drama

TONE

Warm-hearted

THEMES

Love, war, resilience

SCENE TYPES

Two Women, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Helen (F, 30s), George (M, 30s), Joyce (F, 30s)

Angels in America: Millennium Approaches

Tony Kushner

New York City

Friends and lovers face the AIDS crisis and personal revelations.

1980s

Drama

TONE

Intense

THEMES

AIDS, identity, spirituality

SCENE TYPES

Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Prior (M, 30s), Louis (M, 30s), Harper (F, 30s)

Anna Christie

Eugene O'Neill

Coastal America

A former prostitute reconnects with her estranged father.

1910s

Drama

TONE

Gritty

THEMES

Redemption, family, forgiveness

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Anna (F, 20s), Chris (M, 50s), Mat Burke (M, 30s)

Apocalyptic Butterflies

Wendy MacLeod

Midwest, USA

A family experiences strange events and transformations.

Contemporary

Dark Comedy

TONE

Surreal

THEMES

Loss, rebirth, transformation

SCENE TYPES

Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Hank (M, 30s), Wanda (F, 30s), Dylan (M, teens)

Arms and the Man

Bernard Shaw

Balkans

A Swiss mercenary and a young woman challenge ideals of love and war.

Late 19th century

Comedy

TONE

Satirical

THEMES

Love, war, idealism

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Bluntschli (M, 30s), Raina (F, 20s), Sergius (M, 30s)

As Bees in Honey Drown

Douglas Carter Beane

New York City

A young writer is seduced by a con artist who promises him fame.

Contemporary

Comedy

TONE

Satirical

THEMES

Fame, deception, ambition

SCENE TYPES

Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Alexa (F, 30s), Evan (M, 20s)

As Is

William M. Hoffman

New York City

A man with AIDS reconnects with his ex-lover, exploring love and death.

1980s

Drama

TONE

Poignant

THEMES

Love, AIDS, acceptance

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Rich (M, 30s), Saul (M, 30s)

As You Like It

William Shakespeare

Forest of Arden

Disguises and mistaken identities abound in a pastoral love story.

1600s

Comedy

TONE

Lighthearted

THEMES

Identity, love, freedom

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Rosalind (F, 20s), Orlando (M, 20s), Celia (F, 20s)

Ashes to Ashes

Harold Pinter

Unspecified

A woman recalls memories that hint at violence and tragedy.

Contemporary

Drama

TONE

Dark

THEMES

Trauma, memory, guilt

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs

KEY CHARACTERS

Devlin (M, 40s), Rebecca (F, 30s)

Aven'U Boys

Frank Pugliese

New York City

Friends navigate life and loyalty amidst tough urban realities.

Contemporary

Drama

TONE

Gritty

THEMES

Friendship, ambition, identity

SCENE TYPES

Two Men

KEY CHARACTERS

Vinny (M, 20s), Joe (M, 20s), Ralph (M, 20s)

Awake and Sing

Clifford Odets

New York, USA

A Jewish family copes with poverty and dreams of a better life.

1930s

Drama

TONE

Bittersweet

THEMES

Family, struggle, hope

SCENE TYPES

Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Ralph (M, 20s), Bessie (F, 40s), Moe (M, 30s)

Bad Habits

Terrence McNally

Rehabilitation Center

Two one-act plays exploring quirks of therapy and patients.

1970s

Comedy

TONE

Satirical

THEMES

Therapy, relationships, humor

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Benson (M, 40s), Harry (M, 30s), Ruth (F, 30s)

Balm in Gilead; Ludlow Fair; Home Free!

Lanford Wilson

Diner in NYC

Vignettes of misfits and hopefuls in a rundown city diner.

1960s

Drama

TONE

Raw

THEMES

Urban life, disillusionment

SCENE TYPES

Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Joe (M, 20s), Darlene (F, 20s), Dopey (M, 30s)

Bash

Neil LaBute

Various

A series of confessions exploring disturbing choices and consequences.

Contemporary

Drama

TONE

Dark

THEMES

Morality, violence, guilt

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Man (M, 30s), Woman (F, 30s)

Battle of Angels

Tennessee Williams

Southern USA

A drifter and local women clash with societal norms and desires.

Early 20th century

Drama

TONE

Tragic

THEMES

Passion, religion, repression

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs

KEY CHARACTERS

Val (M, 20s), Myra (F, 30s), Vee (F, 30s)

Bedrooms

Joseph Bologna & Renee Taylor

Multiple bedrooms

A series of comedic vignettes exploring relationships and intimacy.

Contemporary

Comedy

TONE

Humorous

THEMES

Marriage, love, misunderstandings

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs, Group Scenes

KEY CHARACTERS

Multiple couples (M/F, various)

Before Breakfast

Eugene O'Neill

New York City

A woman confronts her crumbling marriage and financial ruin.

20th century

Drama

TONE

Dark

THEMES

Despair, marriage, betrayal

SCENE TYPES

Mixed Pairs

KEY CHARACTERS

Mrs. Rowland (F, 30s)

Beggars in the House of Plenty

John Patrick Shanley

New York City

A man returns home to confront his troubled family past.

1950s

Drama

TONE

Intense

THEMES

Family dysfunction, forgiveness

SCENE TYPES

Two Men

KEY CHARACTERS

Johnny (M, 30s), Bunny (F, 40s), Georgie (M, 20s)

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