Theatrefolk Featured Play – Power Play by Lindsay Price

Welcome to our Featured Play Spotlight.  Power Play by Lindsay Price is a dramatic play for your high school performers that is sure to evoke discussion and dialogue.

A gunshot is heard. Which of the five characters did it and why?

Was it the Goth girl? The football star? The super-intelligent geek?

High school violence is a hot media topic, but it is too often simplistically portrayed by putting teens into tidy categories and pointing at the outsider.

Power Play explores the realities and the stereotypes of high school violence – not just the brutal shock of the school shooting, but also verbal harassment and bullying. Violence is about power. So is high school.

NOTE: This play requires the onstage appearance of a gun.

Why did we publish this play?
This play has absurd moments, vivid characterization, and a powerful message: school violence happens everyday and as the title suggests, it’s all about power. It’s a topic that needs to be talked about, and theatre is a great way to initiate that conversation. This is one of our more graphic plays because you can’t whitewash or dumb down violence, though many administrators would like to. We have many plays that we’re happy to adjust lines or cut lines but I knew from the beginning that this play would have to stand as is.

Let’s hear from the author!

1. Why did you write this play?
Violence, all types, physical, verbal and emotional is prevalent in school environments – it happens every day. I wanted to not only show characters going through it but how they deal with it.

2. Describe the theme in one or two sentences.
Violence is about power. So is high school.

3. What’s the most important visual for you in this play?
The contrast between the intense realism between the five characters and the exaggerated absurd nature of the presentation moments.

4. If you could give one piece of advice for those producing the play, what would it be?
Don’t forget the humour. No one wants to watch intense anger or sobbing, or yelling for 30 minutes straight. Dramas need variety and humour is the way to set up your intense moments for the most dramatic impact.

5. Why is this play great for student performers?
It’s an unfortunately, relatable and current topic. The play also gives students the opportunity to do some really detailed character and physical action work.