Theater
Excerpts from other work by Janet Allard
As a playwright, Allard is used to using highly theatrical means to investigate American cultural signifiers. Her work has a self-aware playfulness that allows her to use seemingly simple words and action to expose great depth and feeling in her characters. The opening moments of her play Untold Crimes of Insomniacs give just a hint of how Allard uses simplicity and repetition to speak volumes:
Scene 1 Awake in the Metropolis
slide: 1:34am Awake in the Metropolis
The lights rise on each character caught in their repetitive nighttime activity. Isolated, in their separate nocturnal worlds, all seven lie awake. They try to sleep, but their wheels are spinning. They address the audience:
THE COP
The Cop practices Karate moves. Hoping one day to save someone.
THE ENTREPRENEUR
The Entrepreneur tap-dances.
THE PRIEST
The Priest shines his shoes
THE ACTRESS
The Actress frees her voice.
GOTH-GIRL
Goth-girl rips holes in her tights, making her clothing her own.
YOUNG WIFE
The Pregnant Young Wife watches late night TV.
GHOST-BOY
Ghost-boy lies awake in bed fighting a battle with himself.
To stay in bed—to make himself sleep. Or to go out there and talk to her. Just for a moment.
The urge is too great.
Finally. He gives in.
Scene 2 Ghost-boy and The Pregnant Young Wife
slide 1:36am The living room. In a suburban townhouse.
During the following scene:
The Cop practices Karate moves.
The Entrepreneur tap-dances.
The Priest shines his shoes.
The Actress frees her voice.
Goth-girl rips holes in her tights, making her clothing her own.
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