A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Civil Wars

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  9w, 3m

Joe Calarco

From the collection Signature in Schools Vol. I. Signature in the Schools uses theater to open the minds and broaden the viewpoints of local teens while engaging them in a positive creative experience.

Civil Wars

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    9w, 3m
  • Duration
    Duration
    60 minutes (1 hour)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Theatre for Young Audiences
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences, Adult, Teen (Age 14 - 18)

Details

Summary

Civil War reenactments: a tradition that goes back for generations. As a group of students at an all-girls school participate in their annual reenactment, the core of the tradition itself is questioned. With no easy answers, civil wars, patriotism, ethics and values all get questioned by the girls, led by politically active student Jane, and their teacher Mrs. Stitkovic, an immigrant from war-torn Bosnia. With visitations from ghosts, thought-provoking discussion, and violent protests, the girls find themselves in situations that will change them forever. 

History

Civil Wars was commissioned and produced in 2008 by Tony Award winning Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia for its flagship, award winning, educaiton program, Signature in the Schools. 

Keywords
Performing Groups

MRS. STITKOVIC - Late 40s/Early 50s. A teacher at a private school in Northern Virginia. An immigrant from Bosnia. A fan of all things American. 
ALEK - Mrs. Stitkovic’s son at 18. He died during the Bosnian War. He is now a ghost and has come to haunt his mother. 
JANE - 18yo. Named after Jane Fonda and is very proud of that fact. Very politically active in a very in your face way. Smart—maybe too smart for her own good. 
SAMUEL - 18yo. A ghost. A black slave who is haunting the ground his family died on but which is now the ground of an elite girls school. Passionate. A protector standing guard. 
CELIA - 18yo. Latino. Number one in her class. She comes from a poor, violent, neighborhood and is at the school on a full scholarship. Both of her parents are dead. Her brother is in the military. 
DOMENIC - 20yo. Latino. Celia’s brother. In the army. He joined in order to be able to go to college when he is discharged. He is a fierce protector of his sister.
PRISCILLA - 18yo. A drama queen. 
ZAHARA - 18yo. Has lived most of her life as a follower. Daughter of a diplomat. Was born in Darfur. Many of her family still lives there.
SYDNEY - 18yo. Very smart. Very involved but dissatisfied. Wishes to see the world. She has dual citizenship: US and Israeli. 
CHAZ - 18yo. African American. Very bold. Doesn’t fear anything. She hurtles through life with a ton of energy. 
THALIA - 18yo. Tries to blend into the background. Longs for an easy life. 
DIANA - 18yo. Seemingly meek. Does not want to cause trouble.

  • Time Period Contemporary, New Millennium/21st Century
  • Setting

    The lacrosse field and bleachers of a private girls school. 

  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Additional Features No intermission
  • Duration 60 minutes (1 hour)
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

Videos

  • Civil Wars Trailer youtube thumbnail

    Civil Wars Trailer

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $65 per performance
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Authors

Joe Calarco

Joe Calarco

Joe Calarco's published work includes in the absence of spring (inaugural production of Second Stage’s New Plays Uptown series, included in The Best Stage Scenes of 2004); Shakespeare’s R&J (Lucille Lortel Award); Walter Cronkite is Dead; and his short plays Just A Little Sni ...

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