Since these plays some years ago were germinated from high school skits that the author wrote for high school assemblies, it is recommended that teachers order class sets for either assembly production or class readings.
Because no royalties are involved in the production of these plays—as they are assumed to be performed by community thespians or high school drama clubs—the covered book version must be supplied to each director and cast member.
Contents
Definite Article in Three Acts
Only Yesterday in Three Acts
Man[?] Through the Ages in Three Acts
Lincoln Center in One Act
Christmas in a Soda Bottle in One Act
Crooge in One Act
Excerpt
MORT Does that mean you have no ideas for me? [holds up folder with hopeless look] I really feel as though I’m
cheating them.
If there were just some way I could send them off…proud of their final year.…We’ve read so many plays…they have
butchered every one of them. [returns to the desk, tosses folder on it dejectedly, rests hand on back of chair, then rocks
chair absently and rests against blackboard]
HEND That’s because plays are not meant to be read without the intent to produce them. Look, the class is small enough to manage, and they’re not really bad kids—oh, some of them were tigers when I had them, but most have matured since. Why don’t you put on a play?
MORT Oh, that would really frustrate them—they’d be the laughing-stock of the entire school!
HEND You don’t have to actually put it on; but at least allow them the license to go through the motion of rehearsing and production with a tentative intent.
MORT But that would be deceiving them—and myself. I’ve had enough of that in teaching and elsewhere.
HEND No, not really. You think they’ve actually accomplished something;…besides, you can give them minimal exposure by inviting my third period class to the little theatre to play the audience as they perform.
MORT That’s not a bad idea. [rocks forward and rests arms on desk]
HEND The best within the scope of possible worlds we have to work with.