Preface: Drama was by far one of the most difficult units for me. I had no experience whatsoever writing plays, and I found formatting to be a bit tedious and difficult. I learned a lot about formatting and technique with this assignment. The original assignment I submitted was short, it was only about a five-minute play rather than ten minutes. So, when I went back to the drafting process I made sure to integrate pieces of dialogue where it was most appropriate in an effort to make this play longer. Furthermore, I wrote with the purpose of a children's audience, and I do believe I was successful in conveying the joy of writing in this polished version, in a way I believe will appeal to this audience. I believe the structure and format of this play was crafted well, and the joyful nature of this play will allow children to remain engaged and take away a valuable lesson. In the future, I will try to lay out my ideas before diving straight into the writing process, so I am able to organize my thoughts more effectively and ensure the play meets the length requirements!
Credit// Deviant Art
That's 'Mads' to you!
Props: A TABLE AND COUCH IN THE CENTER OF THE SET.
Setting: THE LIVING ROOM. IT IS BRIGHT OUTSIDE.
Madeline enters from stage left
Mom and Dad enter from stage right
Mom: Madeline, there you are. We have lot’s to do today young lady.
Madeline: Mom it’s Saturday! Have you guys ever heard of the weekend? I’m going to Nina’s, I’ll be back in a bit!
Dad: Nina’s? Uh, no you’re not. We have a lot to do today Mads. We need to cook, Mom’s got to drive you to pick up the cleaning, our rent is due and don’t forget Grandma’s coming over next week-
Madeline: Daaaaad! (Exaggerate the word for comedic effect) I told you not to call me Mads! It’s humiliating. Can I at least go to Nina’s party tonight? It’s going to be her best party yet!
Mom: Nina? This is the same Nina who made you do your science project alone last year, correct?
Madeline (rolling eyes): She was sick! Look can I please go?
Dad: I’m sorry Madeline, but you know you have a curfew. You can hang out with Nina another day.
Nina: Dad that’s so unfair! I want to hang out with her today. It’s her party, I promised I’d come!
Mom: A promise doesn’t mean anything if you didn’t run it through us. You’re not going and that’s final.
Dad: Listen to your mother, Mads.
Madeline (in anger): For the last time – DON’T CALL ME MADS!
Props: A TABLE AND COUCH IN THE CENTER OF THE SET.
Setting: THE LIVING ROOM IS DIMLY LIT AND IT IS DARK OUTSIDE.
Madeline quietly enters through the side window, from stage left.
(Lights Dimming)
Madeline (whispering): Oh thank the sweet lord, I made it. (This line should be stated with a hopeful yet comedic undertone. Try different ways to see which suits the actress)
The lights go up to reveal Madeline's parents sitting on the couch, center stage.
Mom: Madeline!
Madeline: Mom? What are you doing up so late?!
Dad (stern): I bet we could ask you the same question.
Madeline (looking frantically back and forth): Dad! Um, I was just grabbing a drink! That’s all.
Mom: In party clothes?
Dad: Madeline, did you go to Nina’s house, even after we told you it’s not allowed?
Madeline: Okay, look I’m sorry but it wasn’t a big deal, the party was so much fun, and her parents were home, and –
Mom: It’s not about that Madeline. It’s the fact that you blatantly disobeyed our order even after we reminded you. You know you’re not allowed out after ten!
Dad: Why would you just ignore us?
Madeline (frustrated): Because you guys NEVER care about what I have to say or what I want to do!
Mom: Honey, we do care about you. That’s why we are looking out for you!
Dad: We can discuss this tomorrow. It’s 12 AM for God’s Sake! For now, I want you to go to your room. You’re grounded!
Madeline (screaming in anger): God I HATE you two! You know what I want? For you guys to disappear!
Madeline storms up the stairs slamming the door.
(Lights out)
MORNING, IN MADELINE'S BEDROOM
Props: A BED, AND VARIOUS OBJECTS AROUND THE SET SUCH AS A WIDE TABLE AND CHAIRS TO SYMBOLIZE DIFFERENT ROOMS IN THE HOUSE, I.E. KITCHEN: UP TO THE SPECIFIC DIRECTOR’S DISCRETION.
Setting: MADELINE HAS JUST WOKEN UP.
Madeline yawns, pulls the covers away from her abruptly and walks to the kitchen.
Madeline (remorseful): Mom? Dad? Look I'm sorry about what I said yesterday. I know you guys are doing your best. Can we just talk about this? Dad-
There is dead silence as Madeline enters the kitchen.
Madeline: Um hello? Where is everyone?
Madeline starts looking frightened as she walks around the house.
Madeline (calling out): Mom?! Dad?!
Madeline runs from room to room. She runs into the living room.
Madeline (screeching): Mom?! Dad?! This isn’t funny!
Madeline slides her back against the living room wall.
Mads enters from stage right.
Madeline (scared): Who are you?
Mads (acting surprised): You don’t recognize your own conscience?
Madeline (raising voice): What are you doing in my house?! Where are my parents?
Mads (cackling): Now don't shout at me! I thought we’d rejoice now that our dearest wish has been granted!
Madeline: Wish?! What wish?!
Mads gets up and begins to walk through the house beckoning Madeline to follow.
Madeline: What happened to all our family photos? Why am I standing alone? What is going on!
Mads (gleeful): You wished for your family to go away, so they disappeared. Now we can live out our wildest fantasies.
Madeline: You’re kidding me. This has got to be a dream!
Mads: Nope! (Pops the P) Now you can go to all the parties you want! Can I get an ‘oh yeah?’ Enjoy the time alone sweetheart!
Mads exits stage right.
Madeline: Oh YEAH! This is awesome! No rules, no curfew! Woohoo!
There is a knock on the door
Madeline goes to open the door. Landlord stands outside.
Landlord: Madeline. (in a gruff tone) There you are. Are you aware that your rent is overdue?
Madeline (confused): Um who are you? My what now? What are you talking about?
Landlord (in a cross manner): Don’t play games with me girl! I’ve got other tenants, you know! You have until tonight to pay up or you’re out! (makes threatening motion).
Landlord exits, Madeline closes the door.
Madeline: Oh, my. Uh – well maybe it’s time to make some breakfast. Sugar rush!
Madeline runs to the kitchen.
She opens various cupboards and boxes, dumping the contents on the table.
Madeline (confused): Hmmm, okay... How do you even make pancakes? How do you work this pan? Whatever let’s skip breakfast and head straight to the store!
Madeline pauses
Madeline: Wait a second - I don’t even know how to drive! How am I supposed to walk that far? Oh no!
There is a knock on the door
Madeline: What? Again? Now who can that be?
Madeline goes to open the door. Cleaner stands outside holding a stack of clothes.
Cleaner: Hello there. I have a cleaning delivery for a ‘Ms. Madeline?’
Madeline: Oh thank you!
Cleaner passes stack of clothes to Madeline.
Cleaner: Now for payment, I accept cash or credit!
Madeline: Excuse me?
Cleaner: Well you didn’t fill out a pre-disposition agreement so-
Madeline (frantic): But I don’t have any money! I’m only fifteen for crying out loud! I mean I have five dollars in allowance money…
Cleaner (appalled): Five dollars! I’m going to have to report this for –
Mads enters from stage right to center stage, next to Madeline.
Mads: Here, take this (hands over wad of bills) keep the change!
Cleaner exits, Mads closes the door.
Mads: Soooo, (raising eyebrows) how’s it goin’?
Madeline: Terrible!
Mads: You’re not happy?
Madeline: Why would I be happy? Everyone’s gone. How am I going to make my meals, pay rent and go about my daily schedule? I’m stuck!
Mads: It's not the same without our parents is it?
Madeline: No! I was wrong. Just please make it stop!
Mads (knowingly): You always have the chance to right your wrongs. Remember, that our parents love us even when they get a bit cross sometimes! Let’s take it back shall we?
Mads nods and exits stage left. The lights darken, and brighten again a few seconds later as Madeline finds herself back in her bedroom.
Madeline (confused): Was that a dream? Am I back with my parents?
Dad (shouting): Madeline! You’re going to be late!
Madeline rushes into the kitchen where both her parents are standing.
Mom: Madeline, we’ve been thinking honey,
Dad: And we were too harsh on you. We should have considered how you felt about the party. We’re sorry, we just love you so much-
Madeline: No, I’M sorry. I didn’t mean it when I said I wanted you guys to disappear. I love you both so much, and I promise I’ll listen to you from now on!
Madeline hugs both her parents tightly.
Mom: O-okay Madeline!
Dad: We love you too hon, but what caused this so suddenly?
Madeline: Just don’t ever leave me again!
Dad (startled): Woah! Alright, we aren’t going anywhere Madeline!
Madeline: That’s Mads to you!
End of play.
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