The Formulaic Soul
Portrayed in a fantasy world, six teens were suddenly collected and taken to a secret government laboratory. Their parents didn’t react to their abrupt departure, and they had no choice on the matter. When the doctor arrives, he immediately begins the experiment. Seemingly simple tests are done to challenge their minds and bodies. Soon the tests really amp up and challenge their entire way of thinking. The teens, both in the dark and suspicious, are then told the truth about their existence. Can they live up to their planned futures? This show requires very little set, few costumes, and is entirely gender flexible. It is perfect for one-act competitions. About 25 - 30 minutes.
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Set in the same exciting universe as "An Experiment," "The Applicant," and "The Four Teams," this show asks an important morality question when Dr. Runnels discovers the key to human cloning. Excited at the endless possibilities, Dr. Runnels knows that he now has the capability to recreate exact duplicates lost friends and colleagues but never stops to think whether or not he should.
Productions
Behind The Scenes
With Brent Holland
What inspired you to write this play?
I'm always writing new competition pieces for my kids at Laney High School (Wilmington NC). I love writing psychological thrillers and plays that make people think along moral and ethical lines. With this show, the kids and I had the chance to talk about nature vs. nurture and how that would apply to human cloning. I also really enjoy writing plays in the universe that was created when I first wrote AN EXPERIMENT. (Also published here at Eldridge!)
What's your favorite part or line in the play? Why?
One of my pre-readers sent me a text when reading this show that said. "Holy cow, that scene with Grace was intense." My reply was "Wait until you see what happens to Dana." Ten minutes passed. The next text said, "I hate you." The scene with Dana and Dr. Runnels is one of my favorite things I have ever written.
Where did the characters come from? Are they based on people you know?
Most of my characters have a basis of truth from people in my life. Nate, Edward, Caleb, and Austin are all named after former students who made an impact in my program and bear some of their characteristics. Dr. Runnels and Grace are both very much based on real people in my life, but since they aren't nice people, I'll keep that to myself!
What did you try to achieve with this play?
I write competition plays and plays that can be done easily, with flexibility and very little budget. I want them to be tight, extremely tense and offer things you don't see in a lot of high school plays. I think this show achieves all of this. I also want to leave a crowd with a feeling. In this case, the crowd should leave with a sense of loss for certain characters and not knowing what to think about Dr. Runnels, who is a very deep and complex character.
Do you have anything else you'd like to add?
I am perfectly fine with small alterations to fit your situation. If you have any questions please reach out to Eldridge for approval.