Patti Veconi

Playwright and Theater Educator

Plays

Shadows in the Middle

Style:

Drama

Cast:

7 f, 4 m and up to 19 additional actors. All characters are adolescents.

Length:

45 minutes, without intermission
In this stream-of-conscience series of scenes about the lives and thoughts of adolescents, Puck’s final monologue from A Midsummer Night’s Dream cleverly provides the prompts that drive the play’s themes including friendship, bullying, heartbreak, peer pressure and identity. A company of actors create the ensemble of “shadows” referred to by Puck, moving in and out of contemporary situations that explore the timeless challenges inherent in growing up. Alternatively bold, playful, tricky, moody and joyful, these adolescent-shadows are just trying to figure it all out. A very flexible play, ideal for a class with opportunities for ensemble/choral elements.