Devised Text | "Elbows Off the Table"
Full-length play. Cast: 10. 7W 3M. Physical Theater. | SYNOPSIS: A physical theatre romp, this non-linear and montage like text explores one girl’s journey toward womanhood—a confrontation with desire, expectation and the need to belong. It has a devised sensibility and should be approached as a collaborative effort. Scroll down for sample text.
Full-length play. Cast: 10. 7W 3M. Physical Theater. | SYNOPSIS: A physical theatre romp, this non-linear and montage like text explores one girl’s journey toward womanhood—a confrontation with desire, expectation and the need to belong. It has a devised sensibility and should be approached as a collaborative effort. Scroll down for sample text.
Full-length play. Cast: 10. 7W 3M. Physical Theater. | SYNOPSIS: A physical theatre romp, this non-linear and montage like text explores one girl’s journey toward womanhood—a confrontation with desire, expectation and the need to belong. It has a devised sensibility and should be approached as a collaborative effort. Scroll down for sample text.
ELBOWS OFF THE TABLE
By Rebecca VerNooy
Preview text
PRELUDE:
Dim lights rise on LG and G. They are on the ground, and begin a beautiful, sustained duet. H enters with a cigarette or drink. There is an “H” sound cue whenever she enters. She watches them with indifference or disdain, then weaves around them.
1stMOVEMENT:
Ensemble enters. Projections of faces. They weave through the space and disperse evenly across the stage in stillness. They do a series of contractions and gestures. LG, G and H move around and through the ensemble. Ensemble then weaves and lands in a clump upstage. G is part of clump, and most downstage.
G careful
M careful
C careful
M she’s inside
G I am being ripped out
Ensemble moves down and around G during the following. They break to either side when they get downstage and move into a clump upstage. As they pass G, she moves down left.
C sh-h-h-h-h-
M I am being ripped apart
G I am coming
C this way
M heavy breathing
G NO
M God
C yes
G NO
M Oh my god
G let me go back inside
C No turning back
G then release me
M Release her
G Oh god
C a beautiful girl
Ensemble stays in clump up right. They stay in tableaux, or do slow, sustained movements. M, G and LG are down left. M cradles G. LG watches.
G who’s there?
M who’s this?
E anger D angel
C what an angel
G a warm breath, a soft body
C comfort
M so warm and soft
C precious child
G is this mine?
C you are me
M are you mine?
C you are mine.
G I am being held gently
C gentle now
M oh my. Beautiful soul
G don’t let me go
C hold loosely
M god’s gift
G where am I?
M this is your mommy
G mother
M yes
C hold her head
G it is cold and light
M welcome to the world
C welcome
D strong little thing
G I see only shadows of figures
M can you see me?
G no C yes
Ensemble begins to move downstage
G this warm body. Heaven
M you feel me
C I am every part of you
M sweet angel
C my gift.
G I am safe
C you are safe here
M I will protect you always
C careful
G strange hands lift me from my home
M time to rest
D yes. Let her alone