Geek!

A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Geek!

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  4w, 2m

Teenage outcasts Dayna and Honey face pissed-off Pikachus, steam punk armies, stood-up Sailor Moons and rollerblading monsters at an Inferno-esque anime convention where the fans, the otakus and the geeks prowl.

Image: 2013 Incubator Arts Project Production (Nick Francone)

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Fantasy, Adventure
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Teen (Age 14-18)

Details

Summary
With pissed-off Pikachus, steam punk armies, stood-up Sailor Moons and rollerblading monsters on the prowl, it's easy to get lost in the Inferno-esque anime convention where the fans, the otakus and the geeks prowl. But to score a rare meeting with their comic book idol, teenage outcasts Dayna and Honey will take on obsessive magic players, Jedis and elfs, cosplayers and convention guards through all nine flights of Ohio's Dante's Fire-Con. But when the dark nature of their quest breaks through the fantasy of these girls cosplaying, they find that no game can mask the deep loss they’ve recently shared... unless they truly discover who they are. 
History
Geek! premiered off-off-Broadway at Incubator Arts Project in New York City on 21 March 2013. Produced by Vampire Cowboys Theater Company and directed by Robert Ross Parker, the production featured Sheldon Best, Allison Buck, Becky Byers, Rebecca Comtois, Eugene Oh and Emily Williams.

DANYA – Japanese American teen, Determined, 16! Easily hurt – cares so much but hides it
HONEY – Her friend. Trusting, but often full of worry, full of spitfire impulsiveness

ENSEMBLE ACTOR 1
ELLEN – Danya’s best friend, Honey's sister
MISS COSY CON – Cute anime character, operates as guide/announcer for the con
MARCY – Preteen cosplaying as a Dante's Fire Devil Angel
GWEN – Danya’s archrival from her preteen days
DEVIL CATS #1 – Mid-thirties lady cosplaying an evil cat lady
PRINCESS #2 – One bitchy, yet lovely in a tiara, Goth Girl, cosplaying as a Princess

ENSEMBLE ACTOR 2
GUARD ONE – Old timer Geek (30s), a guy into Star Trek
STEAMPUNK LEUT #1 – Teen cosplaying as Army in Dante's Fire
BRIAN – Fifth grader dressed as the Timekeeper
PRINCESS #1 – One Goth Boy, cosplaying a princess from Dante's Fire
SQUEAKER* – A guy cosplaying as the big furry orange ball-like creature
MANNO – Kid cosplaying a Wizard Magic card game nerd

ENSEMBLE ACTOR 3
GUARD TWO – Old timer-er Geek (30s), a woman into Star Wars
MOLLY – Preteen cos-playing Dante's Fire Devil Angels
STEAMPUNK LEUT #2 – Teen cosplaying as Army in Dante's Fire
MINNIE THE MINOTUAR – Overly dramatic girl dressed as the Minotaur
DEVIL CAT #2 – Mid-thirties lady cosplaying an evil cat lady
SPRING – Determined, homeschooled larping girl who cosplays a French elf archer

ENSEMBLE ACTOR 4
TOBY – Cosplaying as Steam Punk Army leader Ulee-o, Gwen’s ex-boyfriend
BATTLE BOT BOY – Headgear-wearing third grader cosplaying an evil robot
TINY AJAX – Kid cosplaying a Dwarf. Loves to rock and roll (dice!)

*The actress playing Honey could play an extra background character in elevator.
*If keeping the cast size to six, Squeaker (as he's always in costume), can be played by different ensemble actors.
*If desired, the cast list can expand with more actors and less double casting.

  • Time Period Contemporary, Present Day, New Millennium/21st Century
  • Setting An anime cosplaying convention in Columbus, Ohio. January. Now.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes, Fantasy Costumes
  • Additional Features No Intermission, Physical Comedy, Puppetry, Stage Combat, Multimedia
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

CRITIC’S PICK! “A riot of visual invention... an ode to fangirls and fanboys.” – The New York Times

CRITIC’S PICK! “Fly high the freak flag of fantasy... An ode to fangirls and fanboys, the show... celebrates the universe of anime, comics, science fiction, manga and Hollywood effects spectaculars.” – The New York Times

CRITIC’S PICK! “Genuine heart... Crystal Skillman’s script goes beyond the superficial snark and touches on topical issues such as bullying and suicide, without seeming preachy or ripped from the headlines. It’s an honest and often hilarious exploration of the complicated, fantasy-fueled, online world some teens inhabit today.” – Time Out New York

Geek! is a celebration of the imagination. It revels in a subculture dedicated to living life according to their own rules, and while managing not to poke fun at anyone for enjoying some role play, it actually tells a great story about how we relate to the world and to those closest to us. The dialogue is screwball comedy fast and as sharp-tongued as can be. Skillman is a master of wit and character who knows the value of fast action and the honor of good versus evil.” – nytheatre.com

“Using a bit of Crystal Skillman's patented slang, [Geek!] is ‘amazeballs!’” – Qui Nguyen, author of She Kills Monsters

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

Geek!Turns 10: A Conversation with Playwright Crystal Skillman
16 August 2023

Videos

  • Crystal Skillman GEEK! youtube thumbnail

    Crystal Skillman GEEK!

  • GEEK! - What is cosplay? youtube thumbnail

    GEEK! - What is cosplay?

  • Crystal Skillman talks GEEK! youtube thumbnail

    Crystal Skillman talks GEEK!

  • GEEK! Dance youtube thumbnail

    GEEK! Dance

  • Theatre of the Unknown youtube thumbnail

    Theatre of the Unknown

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Photos

  • Geek!

    Image: 2013 Incubator Arts Project Production (Nick Francone)

  • Geek!

    Image: 2013 Incubator Arts Project Production (Nick Francone)

  • Geek!

    Image: 2013 Incubator Arts Project Production (Nick Francone)

  • Geek!

    Image: 2013 Incubator Arts Project Production (Nick Francone)

  • Geek!

    Image: 2013 Incubator Arts Project Production (Nick Francone)

  • Geek!

    Image: 2013 Incubator Arts Project Production (Nick Francone)

Show more +

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

Available Formats:

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Authors

Crystal Skillman

“A playwright of growing downtown renown, Ms. Skillman seems to be acquiring something suspiciously Midtown: polish.” – Andy Webster, New York Times

“Besides its intrinsic worth, Open should bring more attention to a pair of downtown’s most bracing talents... If anything, Op ...

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