A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The Student

Short Play, Comedy  /  2m

Matt Hoverman

Four Stars! "Touching and inspiring... a favorite!" - Indianapolis Performing Arts Examiner
A two-character holiday comedy about a burnt-out, adult education writing teacher who rediscovers his passion in one of the strangest student-teacher conferences of all time.

The Student

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    10 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Christmas/Holiday
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Senior
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! Samuel French Off Off Broadway Festival

Details

Summary

A two-character holiday comedy about a burnt-out, adult education writing teacher who rediscovers his passion in one of the strangest student-teacher conferences of all time.

Published in Off Off Broadway Festival Plays, 34th Series. and in Christmas Shorts, a collection of five holiday plays by the author that can be performed individually or together as a complete evening of theatre for a cast of 4-13 performers.


History

A winner of the 2009 Samuel French OOB Short Play Festival, The Student was produced by Algonquin Productions at Playwrights Horizons' Mainstage Theatre, and was directed by Suzanne Agins.

Keywords
Performing Groups
HUGH - 30s/40s, heavy; a writing teacher in a corduroy jacket
BURT - 40s/50s; an uptight businessman in a suit
  • Time Period Contemporary, Present Day
  • Setting A classroom being used for evening adult-education classes.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Additional Features No intermission
  • Duration 10 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Strong Language
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

"The script is loaded with low-key, sweet humor." - Las Vegas Review-Journal

"Funny and profane." - Wisconsin State Journal

"Funny and heartwarming." - Isthmus Daily Page

Four Stars! "Touching and inspiring... a favorite!" - Indianapolis Performing Arts Examiner

"My favorite piece [in Indiana's Phoenix Theatre's A Very Pheonix Xmas #6: Our Goose is Cooked] was The Student by Matt Hoverman.  I was surprised to find myself weeping during it.  This little two-hander is on both of my 'BEST OF 2011' lists." - Indytheatrehabit.com

"So what are this year's strongest shows [in City Theatre's Summer Shorts]? ... Clement as a writing professor and Durkin as his endearingly oddball student have perfect chemistry and timing in Matt Hoverman’s The Student." - Miami Herald  

"Five snorts (out of 5) for Matt Hoverman's The Student [in City Theatre's Summer Shorts]: I've run out of good things to say... makes you want to cry.  And laugh." - Miami Art Zine  

"Probably the funniest piece of the night [re: The Student in City Theatre's Summer Shorts]."  - Florida Theater Onstage   

"Matt Hoverman's short play The Student, the best piece at City Theatre's Summer Shorts festival [is a] masterful comedy of homoerotic repression and twisted yuletide metaphor. The Student is a reminder that with such gifted acting, directing, and writing, minimalism is more than sufficient." - Miami New Times

Videos

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Music

  • Musical Style N/A (Not a musical)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $65 per performance
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Authors

Matt Hoverman

Matt Hoverman

Matt Hoverman is a playwright for grown ups and TV writer/producer for kids whose groundbreaking work in animation has been recognized with an Emmy, the Humanitas Prize and the Sentinel Award, as well as nominations for Annie, NAMIC and GLAAD Awards. For Disney Junior: RoboGo ...

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