A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

I Stand Before You Naked

Collection / Anthology, Dramatic Comedy  /  6w

Joyce Carol Oates

This extraordinary collection of dramatic monologues by one of America's foremost women of letters rivals Talking With in dramatic intensity, language and sheer weirdness. The evening begins and ends with the title poem, a haunting evocation of woman on the edge of madness and vulnerability.

I Stand Before You Naked

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    6w
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • Suggested Use
    • Monologues
    • Competition or audition material
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary

This extraordinary collection of dramatic monologues by one of America's foremost women of letters rivals Talking With in dramatic intensity, language and sheer weirdness. The evening begins and ends with the title poem, a haunting evocation of woman on the edge of madness and vulnerability. There is humor here, but mostly the monologues are gripping portraits of the pathetic, the strange, and the horrifying.

Though I Stand Before You Naked is a collageplay, it should be performed in the following sequence, with a dramatic high point at Darling I'm Telling You and a resolution of sorts at Pregnant. The first and final pieces are performed by the entire cast.

I Stand Before You Naked
Little Blood-Button
The Boy
Wife Of...
The Orange
Nuclear Holocaust
Darling I'm Telling You
Wealthy Lady
Good Morning! Good Afternoon!
Slow Motion
Pregnant
I Stand Before You Naked

History
I Stand Before You Naked premiered at the American Place Theatre. It was directed by Wynn Handman.
Keywords
Performing Groups

The original production of this collection used a cast of 6, each performing one or two monologues and all performing the title piece. Other productions may choose a larger or smaller cast. There are a total of ten monologues to be performed by individuals and one monologue to be performed by the ensemble. Plus one recorded male voice.

  • Time Period Contemporary, 1990s
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Intense Adult Themes
    • Strong Language
    • Nudity/Partial Nudity

Music

  • Musical Style N/A (Not a musical)
  • Vocal DemandsN/A (Not a musical)
  • Chorus Size N/A (Not a musical)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $90 per performance
    $55 per short play individually

Scripts

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Authors

Joyce Carol Oates

Joyce Carol Oates

Joyce Carol Oates grew up in the countryside outside of Lockport, New York, where she attended a one-room schoolhouse in the elementary grades. As a small child, she told stories instinctively by way of drawing and painting before learning how to write. After receiving the gi ...

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