Uproar Theatrics - All the World

All the World

A Trilogy of One-Acts by Erin Dealey

Type of Show

Full-length Play

Performance Type

Live

Digital

Genre

Comedy

Acts

3 acts

Duration

More than 120 min

Performing Groups

Community Theatre

College/University

High School/Secondary

Movement Requirements

Minimal to comically bad dancing and stage combat/fencing

Tech Requirements

Flexible

Cast Summary

21-22 characters, flexible genders, 5+ random audience members (see casting notes)

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Overview

Huzzah! All the World combines three modern-day Shakespearean mashup one-acts to make an evening of Bardish fun and reflection. Some of the fun bits: ukulele-accompanied haiku, ghosts in a pickle, ski-pole swordfighting, a Two Gents monologue BUT WITH TAP DANCING, and audience members on stage crushing an improv activity. Some of the reflection bits: remember all of those themes that make Shakespeare's comedies so enduring? They're woven in all sneaky-like, sometimes on a bed in the ER, sometimes in a support group the night before finals, and sometimes with a vulnerably grand gesture of love at a snowy party.

The stories in All the World remind us that Shakespeare is indeed loads of fun, and that theatre not only brings us together, but sends us into the rest of the world more equipped for the challenges ahead, and with more empathy for those we meet along the way.

Looking for the individual one-acts? Here you go:
Brillig
What Light?
Yes, And...

Plot

Brillig:
Ghosts from a production of Hamlet descend upon a college freshmen support group to irreverently pass on some keys to unlocking a better life (minus the poison/corruption/revenge bit), and get to the bottom of the question: is there ever an appropriate time to use Jabberwocky as an audition monologue? Think less brooding and more ukuleles.

What Light?
Strangers become friends when they stage their own fractured, misquoted version of those famous star-crossed lovers, on a not-so-quiet-after-all night in the Emergency Department of a university hospital. This play explores the answers to the following questions: How can light break a window? Is partying such sweet sorrow? How much do you remember from your 7th grade Romeo & Juliet unit (JK you're on your own there).

Yes, And…
“If pizza be the food of love, play on!”
Shakespeare's favorite comedic tropes (jumping to conclusions, forgiveness, twins, disguise!) delivered hot and fresh, all boxed up as a play about awkward teen romance, ex-high school besties, banned books, and theater closures. A love letter to theater teachers and students alike,Yes, And... has tap dancing. And improv. Also, "whether the weather" may make an appearance....

Casting

21-22 characters, flexible genders, 5+ random audience members (see casting notes)

A NOTE ON CASTING:

All roles can be played by any gender. Please adjust pronouns to your casting needs, no permission from Uproar needed.

ALEX

F or M, freshman, haunted by the need to be perfect.

SADIE

F, freshman, haunted by things unsaid. Sadie finds the social-emotional support group useless. It’s her last time attending.

STELLA

F, freshman, communicates through haikus and hauntingly odd ukulele tunes.

HILLARY

F, subbing for Dr. Randall as facilitator of the social-emotional support group. Does not believe in ghosts.

GHOST OF HAMLET’S FATHER

M, think Darth Vader meets Sir Lawrence Olivier, playing the ghost of the actor who played the ghost in Hamlet long ago (You read that correctly).

GERTRUDE

F or M, ghost of the actor who played Hamlet's mother, with the essence of Moira Rose meets Auntie Mame.

OPHELIA

F or M, ghost of the actor who played Ophelia. Essence of Alexis Rose or David Rose – you decide – meets Emily Webb.

LOCKSMITH

M, offstage voice, afraid of anything that goes bump in the night. Can be double cast with the actor who plays the ghost of the actor who played the Ghost of Hamlet's Father.

JAKE

Male. 20ish college sophomore, fresh from an unexpected break-up.

LUCY

Female. 18ish, freshman, theater major, with a possible break that may ruin her big break.

FINN

Female. 18ish, Don’t-call-me-Elizabeth freshman, suspected of breaking and entering.

NURSE

Female. 1 part Mary Poppins + 2 parts Lorelai Gilmore.

R.A.

Female. 22ish grad student, Pre-law/ Sociology, hoping for a break-through with FINN.

DR. SCOTT

Male. Overworked ER doc who needs a break.

BEATRICE

F. College freshman. Undeclared. Home for winter break. Medium to comically zero tap dance skills.

MRS. K

Principal if same actor plays both twins/F. Iris Ketchum, is a well-loved, overworked high school theater teacher. Identical twin to SIRI. *Suggest casting the same actor to play both Mrs. K/Iris and twin Mrs. James/Siri.

ADMIN

Flexible gender. Inflexible when it comes to district rules and state standards.

TAVEN

(Rhymes with raven) flexible gender. High school senior. Zoey’s best friend. Raised on Shakespeare but not as intensely as Taven’s mom and aunt.

DUKE

M. High school senior, singing delivery person for the family restaurant, Slice of Life. If a Mathlete and a Thespian had a baby and named him after the college where they met. Lovesick over Zoey.

MIRANDA

F. College freshman. Biology major, for now. Laying low during winter break. Translation: shielding herself from the worlds of her stressed-out well-meaning mom as well as her ex best friend, BEATRICE.

HELEN

F. Part-time college freshman. Part-time barista. Part-time dog-sitter. Self-appointed mediator between Beatrice and Miranda.

ZOEY

F. High school senior. Improv is life. The rest is just details. Except for maybe Duke, her once and possibly still crush.

SIRI

Principal if same actor plays both twins/ F. Mrs. James, Taven’s mom, and Iris’s identical twin. Don’t take Mrs. James’ Senior English class unless you want to spend two months studying Shakespeare and plan to earn extra credit by attending the local Renaissance Faire.

PARTYGOERS

5 or more audience members – DUKE’s new friends – all with Happy Birthday cone-hats and “party blower” noisemakers. PARTYGOERS may also include techies and/or cast members from other one-acts.