# Parker and the City in the Sea

## Metadata

- Slug: parker-and-the-city-in-the-sea
- Type: Short Play
- Genre: Drama
- Acts: 1 act
- Duration: 40–60 minutes
- Cast: Medium (7-14)
- Cast Summary: 3W / 2M / 5 or 6N
- Movement Requirements: None
- Technical Requirements: Minimal
- Performing Groups:
  - Professional Theatre
  - Community Theatre
  - College/University
  - High School/Secondary
- Primary Image: https://content.uproartheatrics.com/cu93h2duomcb6g5qxg0d65uy0t99

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## Authors

- By Ian August (author slug: ian-august)

## Overview

**Seventeen-year-old Parker is 3,300 feet under the sea in a high-tech submersible named** ***Petunia*****, on a solo mission to find the fabled lost city of Atlantis.** But as sonar pings echo and shadowy sea creatures pass by, reality filters through—the clanging of a high school bell. Back on dry land, Parker’s fiercely grounded sister Colleen must journey to face her own demons: from the halls of the high school to the depths of the ocean floor. Through shifting scenes that alternate between deep-sea fantasy and high school reality, we discover these siblings’ underwater quest is fueled by something far more personal than treasure: searching for a way forward after the loss of their mother threatens to unravel their family.
A theatrically rich, imaginative tale, this play is ideal for schools and companies seeking a contemporary, flexible, emotionally rich piece with vivid theatricality and a deep heart. This beautiful, refreshing sibling story becomes a genre-defying plunge into loss, memory, and navigating the line between drowning and surviving.

## Cast

| Name | Description |
| ---- | ---- |
| PARKER | COLLEEN's brother, 17, male, brave undersea explorer and introverted high schooler.
 |
| COLLEEN | PARKER's sister, 17, female, hard-ass. She walks with arm braces due to an accident in junior high. |
| GRACE | New girl in school, 17, female, demure, a little shy, good student. |
| JESSIE | Classmate, 17, F/M, the alpha-dog, doesn’t work well with others. |
| PAT (PATRICK or PATRICIA) | Classmate, 17, M/F, friend of JESSIE’s, not the brightest bulb. |
| DOUG | Research scientist, Male, 30s, submersible engineer, perpetually grumpy. |
| JUDY | Research scientist, Female, late 20s, marine anthropologist, cheerful and optimistic. |
| HENSON | School Counselor, adult, M/F, over-enthusiastic.
 |
| BRIGGS | School principal, adult, M/F, brusque, direct. |
| TENNYSON | English Teacher, Adult, M/F, gentle, passionate, empathetic |
| ANKER | Social services, adult, M/F, all business, no fun. |

## Materials

### Available for additional fee:

| Name | Description |
| ---- | ----------- |
| 60-Minute Talkback with the Creators | A 60-minute Zoom/Google Meet with one or more of the show's creator(s). Licensees and guests can ask questions, share experiences, and hear about the artistic journey of the show and creative team. This can be scheduled before or after the performances. If we are unable to make scheduling work, the cost will be refunded. |
| Video Recording License | License to create an archival recording of the show that may be distributed to the cast and crew. This does not allow publicly posting the performance. |

## Production Images

| URL | Caption | Credit |
| --- | ------- | ------ |
| https://content.uproartheatrics.com/myh7z4jqjoicfqflrlcpu75xxrdn | The Lawrenceville School:  Edinburgh Fringe Festival |  |
| https://content.uproartheatrics.com/wtjwvfrp8vb3ir2yhlkaykjcg67l | The Lawrenceville School:  Edinburgh Fringe Festival  |  |
| https://content.uproartheatrics.com/qvouudv07gmnmkzjgr6rqmgpt384 | The Lawrenceville School:  Edinburgh Fringe Festival |  |
| https://content.uproartheatrics.com/jecn6n7gjr3axspdxptsdcxgk200 | The Lawrenceville School:  Edinburgh Fringe Festival |  |