105 Five-Minute Plays for Study and Performance - Softcover

John Capecci; Irene Ziegler

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1575259109 ISBN 13: 9781575259109

Publisher: Smith & Kraus, 2017

Synopsis

A five-minute play? Is there such a thing? This collection of 105 gems says, briefly, Yes. Perfect for classroom study or to build a rollicking performance evening, these short works offer rich, complete worlds that are alternately lyrical, narrative, concrete and abstract. Some pack a wallop with powerful images while others use crackling dialogue to quickly establish character and motivation some move at the speed of light. Others freeze moments fo calm meditation. Still others capture historic moments, dream states or slapstick absurdity.
Along with contemporary works by both new and established playwrights, editors Capecci and Ziegler have gathered historical examples-such as those of the Italian Futurists and an early playlist by Thornton Wilder-and they offer useful tips for the study and performance of these brief and bright works.

About this title

From the Author:

A five-minute play? Is there such a thing? How short can a play be before it ceases to be a play and becomes something, well, less satisfying...such as a scene, skit or sketch?

We had those questions in mind as we set out--on publisher EricKraus' suggestion--to compile this collection. We asked playwrights to submit works that clocked in at five minutes or less and possessed the general features of a play: a narrative thread from beginning to end, a sense of dramatic struggle, vivid characters and emotional impact. We favored those with minimal sets and no more than five characters, expecting that a collection of  five-minute plays would be particularly useful in the classroom.

What we didn't expect was more than 700 submissions. Clearly, the five-minute play is alive and ticking. While many of the submitted works were more like scenes than plays, far more presented rich, complete worlds that were alternately lyrical, narrative, concrete and abstract. Some packed a wallop with powerful images while others used crackling dialogue to quickly establish character and motivation. Some moved at the speed of light. Others froze moments for calm meditation. An inordinate number were about digital technology and social media. Still others presented historic moments, dreamstates or slapstick absurdity.

We're delighted to share 105 of these gems for you to study and perform. 

About the Author:

John Capecci, a former communication and theatre arts professor, owns Capecci Communications (Minneapolis) where he is a consultant, story coach and writer. In addition to editing play and monologue collections, he is co-author of "Living Proof: Telling Your Story to Make a Difference, a Guide to Using Personal Stories to Advocate for Change" (with Tim Cage, Granville Circle Press). He has helped thousands of people from all walks of life use their personal stories and passions to make a difference in the lives of others and better the communities in which they live and work.

Irene Ziegler is an actor, teacher, playwright, and co-editor of seven collections of monologues and plays. She lives in Richmond, VA and participates on many levels in Richmond's diverse theatrical community. She also acts in films and TV, and teaches acting and playwriting. She was the original voice on your smart phone's GPS and was once yelled at by Anne Bancroft.

About this edition

• Publisher: Smith & Kraus
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1575259109
• ISBN 13: 9781575259109
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 525
• Editor: John Capecci, Irene Ziegler