Shuffling

Book By: Ken Preuss
Play #: 2180
Pages: 29 pgs
Cast: 1 m, 1 w, 1-14 flexible

Lacey, a teenage girl, has finished work at the mall and is waiting – and waiting – for her boyfriend to pick her up. Left stranded yet again, she reevaluates her love life while shuffling through the songs on her iPod. Actors portraying each of the songs appear with comedic monologues that stir her emotions, offer advice, and affect her decisions. Ethan, a good-humored co-worker, offers her a ride home and the possibility of future romance. The play may be performed with anywhere from 3 to 16 actors. Actors playing Songs portray the spirit and style of the genre rather than a particular musical number. Without mimicking a specific artist, your audience may make their own connections - creating individual personal playlists - as the performance unfolds.

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Productions

WOLCOTT HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
WOLCOTT, CT 2/2/2024
WALNUT GROVE HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
LOGANVILLE, GA 11/3/2023
COWICHAN SECONDARY SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
DUNCAN, CANADA 6/15/2023
LAMER HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
LAMAR, CO 5/19/2023
FRONTIER LOCAL MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
NEW MATAMORAS, OH 5/19/2023
CEDAR CREST HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA CLUB 1 Performance(s)
LEBANON, PA 5/5/2023
SJCA DRAMA CLUB 1 Performance(s)
MONCKS CORNER, SC 4/20/2023
WYNDMERE PUBLIC SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
WYNDMERE, ND 10/30/2022
SOUTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL THEATER 2 Performance(s)
GREEN BAY, WI 10/15/2021
UNITY COMPOSITE HIGH SCHOOL 4 Performance(s)
UNITY, SK 2/25/2021
PULLMAN HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA 1 Performance(s)
PULLMAN, WA 12/11/2020
HAMPTON ROADS ACADEMY 2 Performance(s)
NEWPORT NEWS, VA 12/3/2020
MEAD HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA CLUB 3 Performance(s)
MEAD, NE 11/17/2020
MCNAUGHTON HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
MOOSOMIN, SK 5/15/2019
MCNAUGHTON HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
MOOSOMIN, SK 4/3/2019
WESTMOUNT SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
OKOTOKS, AB 3/2/2019
NORTH SIDE HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
FORT WORTH, TX 5/23/2018
PALCO HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
ELLIS, KS 4/21/2018
GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN SCHO 1 Performance(s)
NORCROSS, GA 3/2/2018
LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
CUMMING, GA 11/10/2017
CORONA HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
CORONA, CA 5/16/2017
CALGARY ACADEMY 1 Performance(s)
CALGARY, AB 4/29/2017
TAYLOR COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
BUTLER, GA 4/15/2017
WILLOWSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
SANTA ROSA, CA 4/15/2017
DUBOIS AREA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
DUBOIS, PA 10/20/2016
WETUMPKA DEPOT PLAYERS 1 Performance(s)
WETUMPKA, AL 6/25/2016
YUMA COMMUNITY THEATER 1 Performance(s)
SOMERTON, AZ 5/4/2016
EUREKA SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
EUREKA SPRINGS, AR 2/12/2016
RIVERSPRINGS MIDDLE THEATRE 2 Performance(s)
CRAWFORDVILLE, FL 11/19/2015
TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
MONTGOMERY, AL 11/16/2015
MT BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY US 1 Performance(s)
MARIETTA, GA 11/6/2015
MIDWAY PUBLIC SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
INKSTER, ND 11/5/2015
TORRANCE HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
TORRANCE, CA 4/29/2015
CLAIBORNE ACADEMY 1 Performance(s)
HAYNESVILLE, LA 4/17/2015
MERIDIAN HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA 1 Performance(s)
MERIDIAN, ID 4/8/2015
CLAYTON MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
CLAYTON, NC 3/15/2015
TRITON HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
RUNNEMEDE, NJ 12/5/2014
ARAPAHOE PUBLIC SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
ARAPAHOE, NE 11/22/2014
WENDELL HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
WENDELL, ID 11/20/2014
STANLEY HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
STANLEY, ND 11/7/2014
UPPER LAKE HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
UPPER LAKE, CA 5/15/2014
RIDGE SPRING MONETTA HIGH SCH 2 Performance(s)
MONETTA, SC 4/30/2014
ARTS IN MCNAIRY 3 Performance(s)
SELMER, TN 4/4/2014
GREENALL HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
BALGONIE, SK 3/31/2014
RIDGEVIEW HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
COLFAX, IL 3/1/2014
COSBY HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
COSBY, TN 12/5/2013
MILLENNIUM MIDDLE SCHL 1 Performance(s)
SANFORD, FL 11/15/2013
TEXAS CITY ISD 2 Performance(s)
TEXAS CITY , TX 11/15/2013
THE SOLEBURY SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
NEW HOPE, PA 5/9/2013
FRANKLIN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 5/3/2013
BEAR RIVER H.S. 1 Performance(s)
GRASS VALLEY, CA 2/1/2013
STORM LAKE HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH 2 Performance(s)
STORM LAKE, IA 1/19/2013
RIGGS HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
PIERRE, SD 1/13/2013
T C WILLIAMS HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
ALEXANDRIA, VA 1/11/2013
WEST POINT HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
WEST POINT, VA 10/29/2012
METTER HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
METTER, GA 10/27/2012
RJ MURRAY MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
SAINT AUGUSTINE , FL 10/25/2012
FORT PIERCE CENTRAL HIGH SCH 2 Performance(s)
FORT PIERCE, FL 10/15/2012
FARNSWORTH DRAMA CLUB 1 Performance(s)
SHEBOYGAN, WI 6/1/2012
ST. MARKS LUTHERAN SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
HACIENDA HEIGHTS, CA 5/11/2012
NORTHWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
TAYLORS, SC 4/27/2012
LIVINGSTON HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA 1 Performance(s)
LIVINGSTON, CA 4/15/2012
BOONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
BOONVILLE, MO 3/15/2012
RICHBORO MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
RICHBORO, PA 3/1/2012
RICHBORO MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
RICHBORO, PA 3/1/2012
MENCHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
NEWPORT NEWS, VA 2/18/2012
HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA CLUB 1 Performance(s)
HAMPTON, VA 2/1/2012
MENCHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
NEWPORT NEWS, VA 2/1/2012
WAUBAY HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
WAUBAY, SD 1/22/2012
WHITE COUNTY CENTRAL HS 2 Performance(s)
JUDSONIA, AR 1/15/2012
LAGUNA CREEK HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
ELK GROVE, CA 1/13/2012
MERCY HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
OMAHA, NE 1/6/2012
GREENVILLE HIGH DRAMA DEPT. 4 Performance(s)
GREENVILLE, SC 12/8/2011
NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
SALINAS, CA 11/17/2011
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 1 Performance(s)
BRUNSWICK, GA 11/16/2011
CLAYTON MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
CLAYTON, NC 11/15/2011
DAVIDSON FINE ART SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
AUGUSTA, GA 11/15/2011
THEATRE VICTORIA 1 Performance(s)
VICTORIA, TX 11/12/2011
WING HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
BISMARCK, ND 11/10/2011
CHARLTON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
FOLKSTON, GA 10/29/2011
GREENFIELD CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
GREENFIELD, IN 10/28/2011
WILCOX COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
ROCHELLE, GA 10/28/2011
HEIRWAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 2 Performance(s)
DOUGLASVILLE, GA 10/24/2011
CAMPBELLSPORT HS DRAMA 3 Performance(s)
CAMPBELLSPORT, WI 10/22/2011
POINCIANA HIGH SCHOOL 3 Performance(s)
KISSIMMEE, FL 10/15/2011
HANFORD HIGH SCHOOL 4 Performance(s)
RICHLAND, WA 10/14/2011
CLIFFORD H SMART MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, MI 6/3/2011
OAK GROVE MS 1 Performance(s)
HATTIESBURG, MS 5/15/2011
DE QUEEN HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
DE QUEEN, AR 5/12/2011
DELAND HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
DELAND, FL 4/30/2011
ELVERADO HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
ELKVILLE, IL 4/29/2011
ECOLE PRIVEE FIELDGEN 1 Performance(s)
BUFFALO GROVE, IL 4/28/2011
CONANT HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA CLUB 1 Performance(s)
RINDGE, NH 4/28/2011
PLEASANTON JR. HIGH 2 Performance(s)
PLEASANTON, TX 4/15/2011
HILL SCHOOL OF FORT WORTH 2 Performance(s)
FORT WORTH, TX 4/14/2011
ELLSWORTH COMMUNITY SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
ELLSWORTH, MI 3/26/2011
GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN JH 2 Performance(s)
NORCROSS, GA 3/19/2011
SPRUCE CREEK HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
PORT ORANGE, FL 3/15/2011
ABERDEEN HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
HAVRE DE GRACE, MD 2/18/2011
GREENWOOD LAKES MIDDLE SCH 1 Performance(s)
LAKE MARY, FL 2/11/2011
SOUTH LAFOURCHE HIGH SCHOOL 1 Performance(s)
GALLIANO, LA 1/29/2011
SIBLEY EAST HIGH SCHOOL 2 Performance(s)
ARLINGTON, MN 1/29/2011
GREENWOOD LAKES MIDDLE SCH 2 Performance(s)
LAKE MARY, FL 11/19/2010

Behind The Scenes

PLAYWRIGHT KEN PREUSS

TALKS ABOUT “SHUFFLING”

 

Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS PLAY?

A: Music is a big part of a lot of people’s lives. I have no musical talent whatsoever, but there is rarely a moment when I am not listening and/or singling along, badly. Songs can connect us to our past, change the way we feel in the present, and even challenge our ideas about the future. I was inspired to try to capture that magic on stage, creating a non-musical play about the music we play.

 

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART OR LINE IN THE PLAY? WHY?

A: Choosing a favorite part of this play is like choosing a favorite song…different ones appeal to me at different times. Some days I relate the anger of Song 5, some days I wallow in the sadness of Song 10, some days I’m drawn to the hopefulness of Song 13. The script is like a personal playlist: there’s a little something there for all of my moods.

 

Q: WHERE DID THE CHARACTERS COME FROM? ARE THEY BASED ON PEOPLE YOU KNOW?

A: Lacey is a lot like me. (Okay, technically, she is a teen-aged girl and I am a grown man in my forties – but we share similar personality and a deep connection with music.) Ethan is the clever and funny guy I wish I had been in high school. Trevor is the guy who stole all the girls I liked in high school because I wasn’t clever and funny like Ethan.

The rest of the characters are tracks on Lacey’s playlist. Although they may have been inspired by specific songs in my life, the identities have been left open to interpretation so that actors, directors, and audiences may create their own personal connections.

 

Q: WHAT DID YOU TRY TO ACHIEVE WITH THIS PLAY?

A: I tried to write a fun and creative play that will become a totally unique production each time it is presented. A play where directors and actors will have a great time creating characters to reflect their own sense of style and humor.

 

Q: DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?

A: I’d like to add a little more hair to the top of my head. Aside from that, I’d like to remind the actors and directors that there are many ways to portray each song. Brainstorm and have a blast. Remember to capture the spirit and style of each track without mimicking a specific artist so your audience may make their own connections - creating individual personal playlists - as the performance unfolds.