Whether he is inventing the alphabet or merely saving the world from apocalypse, George and his redoubtable family somehow manage to by the skin of their teeth. Strong female characters are usually considered a desirable thing in geek media such as science fiction, comic books, etc. Not paranormal, fantasy. Its not uplifting the characters anger and bitterness jump off the page but its certainly illuminating. Now Walsh must go away forever, but not before securing Rose's financial future with an extraordinary proposal that promises to change everything. Playwright: Rajiv JosephLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. A summer tea party on the brink of doom is how one production of Escaped Alone described the play. Claire Danes - Danes plays bipolar CIA agent Carrie . Photo: 2018 Playwrights Horizons production of Dance Nation (Joan Marcus), More Plays & Musicals for Strong Leading Women. 23. You've put MetaFilter on the road to Revival! A Bright Room Called Day 2. Ugly Lies the Bone by Lindsey Ferrentino (US/UK)(Drama / 3f, 2m)Newly discharged soldier Jess has finally returned to her Florida hometown. When reviewing the 2013 Broadway production for the New York Post, Elisabeth Vincentelli commented, this is the kind of full-on comedy thats sadly rare on Broadway and we couldnt agree more! #17. Playwright: Lulu RaczkaPublisher: Bloomsbury. Rosalind in As You Like it and Viola in Twelfth Night both dress as men. She challenges the. Playwright: Jeremy O. HarrisLicensing: Concord Theatricals. As he perfects his recipe, the chaos of his chosen and biological family swirls around him in the kitchen. This contemporary play is equal parts funny and tragic, revealing the wild passions and anger that flow beneath a seemingly civilized middle-class life. August Osage County, by Tracy Letts. A loving look at a familys view of death, life, and the allure of never growing up. Unusual Acts Of Devotion 8. When a Tibetan lama and a monk come to their home unexpectedly, asking to take their child away for a life of spiritual training in India, the parents must make a life-altering choice that will test their strength, their marriage, and their hearts. The treatment? However, feel free to browse tips and download any public domain (free) monologues on our site. Erin La Rosa 3. As someone who spends a fair amount of time complaining on the internet that there aren't enough female heroes out there, this may seem a strange and out of character thing to say. Civil war is raging in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mama Nadi is trying to keep her head above water. Slave Play is a fearless and unexpected examination of race and sex. But she has two lacquered daughters, her own Regan and Goneril, who are covetous of the family fortune and resent the manner in which she is enjoying it. Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl (US/UK)(Dramatic Comedy / 2f, 5m)Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love. Playwright: Christopher DurangLicensing: Dramatists Play Service, Madeleine George explores the Watsons of the world as in Sherlock Holmes trusty assistant and the roles they play in the most important developments in human history. Five different women named Betty collide at the intersection of anger, sex, and the Thea-Tah.. Right now, she's at the "read everything" stage, and has asked for good contemporary plays to read with strong females roles. The boys are left to contend with Grandma, with Bella and her secret romance, and with Louie, her brother, a small-time hoodlum in a strange new world called Yonkers. It is a charming tale about what happens when lovers share a stage kissor when actors share a real one. bisexual, angry, sad, strong, sensitive, scared, fierce, talented . As the little teenage sister of the king, her identity doesn't end there. [229] Text Kim Cole #Matter 0 All Read more Despite the mixed reviews for Daddy, its an interesting and decidedly modern look at race and class conflicts in the world of art. Against a bustling background of mistaken identity, ruthless scheming and backstage theatrics, Wills love for Viola quickly blossoms and inspires him to write his greatest masterpiece. Beneatha dreams of medical school. Though it was written in 2013, an all-too-familiar sense of isolation permeates the play. Glorie is tense, unhappy and guilt-ridden, her only child having been killed in an auto accident when she was driving. The young lover is equally certain she really wants to marry him. Scarlett O'Hara ( Gone with the Wind) was exceedingly bold for a woman of her time, while Madame Defarge ( A Tale of Two Cities) is an exemplar of tireless villainy. At the dress rehearsal the set falls, props break, and the producer and an actor are murdered. Women during 16th century had no individual freedom. Last Dance by Marsha Norman (US)(Comedy / 2f, 2m) Claiming that she is tired of love, an aging but still beautiful poet from the American South who now lives on the coast of France has decided to give away her young lover. Her goddaughter thinks she has actually fallen in love with a local fisherman while her dashing friend believes she is finally ready to accept his proposal. The tool is a great reminder that females, even in a love story, can discuss other matters that don't include a man or romance. However, what Bridget saw as a unique opportunity to stay with her favorite Nana in New York for the summer quickly turns into an experience shell never forget. Pia, from the New Zealand movie Whale Rider. With comments by those who reviewed their productions, here are our updated picks for the Best Plays of the 21st Century.so far. Directed by Nicholas Ray, the film basically flips the gender roles of older Westerns.the men become supporting characters to two female leads who will meet in a . In the years since, its become one of the most popular plays for high school and community theater groups. When the patriarch disappears, however, the crew gathers, and the truth bubbles hilariously to the surface. Playwright: John Patrick ShanleyLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Navigating new relationships and inevitable temptations, Kens supposedly missing faith is tested. Playwright: David Henry HwangLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Here's 15 Best Short Plays with Strong Female Lead for auditions, workshops, actor reels, performances, castings and theatre productions. Robyn, also in her mid-fifties, needs a place to hide and a chance to start over. Thats exactly what happens in HIR Isaac returns home to discover that his abusive father, after having a stroke, is under the control of his now-liberated mother. Quinn, a former soldier in the Irish Republican Army, receives a menacing visit from an IRA leader. Playwright: Tracy LettsLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. As the title character returns from a second tour in Iraq at age 19, he discovers how his trauma parallels that of his father and grandfather. The Oldest Boy: A Play in Three Ceremonies by Sarah Ruhl (US/UK)(Drama / 1f, 4m)In this moving exploration of parenthood, an American mother and a Tibetan father have a three-year-old son believed to be the reincarnation of a Buddhist lama. Now more than ever, we need strong female characters center stage.Our catalog is rich with juicy, nuanced roles for women. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. In this richly spare, wondrous new play, Jordan Harrison explores the mysteries of human identity and the limits if any of what technology can replace. If part of a series, please only include the first novel unless subsequent novels have different leading characters. Jeremy O. Harris shot to fame with Slave Play; with Daddy, he seems determined to shock audiences. The fight must go on. This remarkable and true-to-life scene is the premise for the Pulitzer-Prize-winning Anna in the Tropics. Blithe Spirit by Nol Coward (US/UK)(Comedy / 5f, 2m)Fussy, cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine is re-married but haunted (literally) by the ghost of his late first wife, the clever and insistent Elvira who is called up by a visiting happy medium, one Madame Arcati. What Francis doesnt realize is that the real Roscoe is dead hes actually working for Roscoes sister, Rachel, whos pretending to be her brother. Christopher, who is somewhere on the autism spectrum (the story doesnt give a clear diagnosis), is determined to solve the mystery. Siblings (and roommates) Vanya and Sonias dull Chekhovian life is tossed upside down when their famous sister Masha comes to visit with her much younger (and much dumber) boyfriend Spike. She has already rejected several offers because the antique piano is covered with incredible carvings detailing the familys rise from slavery. Its largely a one-woman show playwright Heidi Schreck performed in the original productions that examines issues that face women. She uses her sexuality, she taunts him and mocks his lack of courage. But the hilarity remains the same. Silent Sky- Lauren Gunderson (4w,1m) --Could double cast if you have more students. What would we remember, and what would we forget, if given the chance? Mother of the Maid by Jane Anderson (US/UK)(Drama / 4f, 3m) The story of Joan of Arc's mother, a sensible, hard-working, God-fearing peasant woman whose faith is upended as she deals with the baffling journey of her odd and extraordinary daughter. Beatrice is one of the most brilliantly witty and straight talking of Shakespeare's female characters. Check out More Plays & Musicals for Strong Leading Women or browse the Concord Theatricals website in the US or UK. Recommended for ages 8+ The Frasiers, a Black family, are getting ready for a family birthday party, but nothing is proceeding according to plan. Eleven ( Millie Bobby Brown) in Stranger Things . Its a fascinating and engaging tale that offers a slightly lighter, yet still tragic, perspective. But lasting happiness always eludes some people, and there was never any answer to the question with which Judy ended every show: "If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow, why, oh, why, can't I?" Playwright: Caryl ChurchillLicensing: Concord Theatricals. After killing her father (a prominent Nazi) with a rolling pin, von Mahlsdorf went on to survive some of the most difficult decades in recent history. She begins her day, talking incessantly, with her daily prayer, brushing her teeth, drinking her tonic, and putting on her hat. The premise of The Hot Wing King is simple; Cordell is out to win an annual hot wing competition in Memphis. A Feminine Ending by Sarah Treem (US)(Dark Comedy / 2f, 3m)Having recently graduated from a major conservatory, and with a rocker boyfriend on the brink of stardom, aspiring composer Amanda Blues extraordinary life seems to be all mapped out. Ariane Lange 4.. Baby Taj by Tanya Shaffer (US)(Comedy/ 6f, 5m)The legendary Taj Mahal is the next assignment for Rachel, an American travel writer whose failed romances have led her to ask: Why not have the baby she craves on her own? She longs to find her birth mother in China, so she creates a robot twin named Jenny Chow to tackle the quest on her behalf. Two, Three and Four Person Scenes From Plays Popular Types: Dramatic Comedic Classical Contemporary 2 Person 3 Person Search Scenes Style # of Male Characters # of Female Characters Time Period Only show scenes with video examples FILTER Scenes COLE Wouldn't it be great if--- I just. If you have the mental space however, this insightful play is well worth a read. There is also an interesting trend of plays depicting older career women taking stock of things . This Pulitzer-winning play isnt saccharine or melodramatic, but heartbreakingly honest; anyone who has ever walked (or crawled) through the valley of the shadow will find connection to the emotional story. The Flick is a monster of a play; it runs for 3 hours. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Dialogue and diction. Looking for more? How "contemporary" are we talking here? "The American Plan" is a comedy by Richard Greenberg that premiered Off-Broadway in 1991 and had a brief Broadway run in 2009, starring Mercedes Ruehl and Lily Rabe. The genre emerged as a musical expression of the second-wave feminist movement [228] as well as the labour , civil rights , and peace movements . Breadcrumbs by Jennifer Haley (US/UK)(Drama / 2f)A reclusive fiction writer diagnosed with dementia must depend upon a troubled young caretaker to complete her autobiography. Single Black Female 9. Playwrights: Theresa Rebeck, Alexandra Gersten-VassilarosLicensing: Concord Theatricals. Cloud Nine 6. Caryl Churchill cleverly uses four chatty, retired British women as the voice that warns of the coming apocalypse. The Kilroys List: 97 Monologues and Scenes by Female and Trans Playwrights This first book isn't technically a play, but no list of plays by women would be complete without mention of The Kilroys List . On the surface, Fairview seems like a relatively standard family drama. How to Transcend a Happy Marriage blurs the lines of monogamy and asks how deeply friends, lovers, and strangers connect. Ask MetaFilter is where thousands of life's little questions are answered. The racist, xenophobic, and misogynist dialogue is uncomfortably familiar. infusing her plays with strong mythic, chimerical elements, and using folkloric Scottish Women Playwrights Against Zero Visibility She finds unexpected answers and larger questions among the glittering legacies of India's past. When a record-breaking blizzard blows into town and an elderly resident disappears into the storm, everyone is brought to face their own mortality. Sale 2,895 Reviews Heart Is A Lonely Hunter The landscape of modern theater is expansive and often bizarre; you never know what youre going to stumble upon. Where better to begin than with four housewives in a suburban New Jersey cul-de-sac? Brothers Lincoln and Booth yes, the names are intentional are just trying to stay afloat after a challenging upbringing. Perhaps the good-natured sweetness and innocent enthusiasm that radiates from each of the 11 vignette-style love stories. Blink is an intimate, quirky little romantic comedy dont worry, its not too sweet. But to score a rare meeting with their comic book idol, teenage outcasts Dayna and Honey will take on obsessive magic players, Jedis and elfs, cosplayers and convention guards - through all nine flights of Ohio's Dante's Fire-Con. Playwright: Will ArberyLicensing: Concord Theatricals. Will Martin be able to resolve this titanic dilemma? During the opening night performance, the murders continue. "She just has this plethora of knowledge and wit you wouldn't expect from someone her age," Page. volcanic iceland epic trip 5. This contemporary play knows that were not safe, even in the theater and it reacts with a ferocious roar of rage, lambasting the ways women are (still!) We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. But at what price? A dark comedy about what it takes to re-route your life and what happens when the wheels come off. Bootycandy explores what its like to grow up as a Black gay man. After everyone gets straightened out romantically, Vandergelder finds himself affianced to the astute Dolly Levi herself. Stage Kiss by Sarah Ruhl (US/UK)(Comedy / 3f, 4m)Art imitates Life. The ingenue has her time and place, but womens stories extend beyond tales of young innocents. In a truly remarkable feat, Suzan-Lori Parks wrote one play every day for a full year. All these plays contain powerful monologues with leading female characters. The result is one of the most inventive and insightful contemporary plays out there. During the sixth lesson, Lily reveals a closely guarded secret -- she is terminally ill -- and Michael shares his greatest gifts -- loyalty and compassion. Omnium Gatherum not to be confused with the Finnish death metal band of the same name is a fast-paced, funny play. Shakespeare in Love by Lee Hall and Tom Stoppard (US/UK)(Dramatic Comedy / 6f, 18m)Young Will Shakespeare has writer's block the deadline for his new play is fast approaching but he's in desperate need of inspiration. Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon (US/UK)(Comedy / 2f, 2m)The night after their grandfathers funeral, three cousins engage in a verbal (and sometimes physical) battle. Add in a cleaning lady who can see the future, and you have the recipe for a good time. Shuri (from Black Panther) Shuri from Wakanda is one of the most underrated female fictional characters in the Marvel Universe. The remaining thespians must save the show and their careers, solve the mystery and stay alive for curtain calls. (Maybe a little too sentimental, but that can be forgiven considering the source material.) The staunchly Midwestern Weston family seems normal on the surface. Join Backstage to access jobs you can apply to right. It's on top of my to-read pile, so this is a big of a blind recommendation but I think Simon Stephens'. 21 Lesser-Known Musicals: How Many Do You Know? Its exactly as crushing as you might imagine, but its not without a note of hope. (And it doesnt stop there.) For even more plays that go beyond the ingenue visit our website. Playwright: Katori HallLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Jump off the page contemporary plays with strong female characters its not too sweet seemingly civilized middle-class life and his! And sex is how one production of Dance Nation ( Joan Marcus ), more plays that beyond! 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