Freely adapted from the novel by Louis Pergaud. Premiered at The Haverford School and was a semifinalist in the International Student Playscript Competition (connected with the UK's National Student Drama Festival).
Synopsis
At the end of every summer, the kids of one small town go to war. Their opponents: the students of the nearby boarding school, newly-returned from their exotic travels and fancy homes. There may not be blood, but there will be no doubt who wins this year: those captured will have their buttons cut off—so says Charlie, leaders of the townies.
With the closing of the ice cream factory, its main industry, the town has been plunged into ruin, and the prep school has started to buy up failed real estate. For the local kids—for whom every button is precious—the war has become about saving their home. They turn the old ice cream factory into their headquarters and hide their war chest there. But that’s not all that’s hiding at the ice cream factory: Charlie’s parents have left town to look for work and abandoned him. If he's found out by the adults, he'll be sent away for sure.
Just as the locals seem to be winning, one of their own betrays them, and the preps take everything. With time running out, can Charlie and his friends find a way to save the day, or will all—including Charlie himself—be lost?
Online Playwriting Class Starts on May 21st! I will be teaching a month-long online playwriting class through Writers University beginning on May 21.
Festivals, Festivals, Festivals I am excited to be attending a number of national conferences in the coming months. First up, the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska in late June, where I'll be teaching a quartet of writing workshops and hanging out at the Playscripts booth!
The Locker Next to Mine Now Available
My new play, The Locker Next to Mine, is now available. It's a full-length drama, though spiked with humor, about teen suicide and dealing with loss. I'm looking for a group to stage the world premiere. Could that be you?
Though the one-act version, available from Playscripts, stands on its own (and is perfect for competition!), this play was always intended to be a full-length composed of three acts: Rumors of Polar Bears, Ursa Major and Northern Lights. Look for the other two plays in the cycle sometime in 2012.
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