The Four Teams
Students with behavioral issues have been volunteered to be subjects in a government-sponsored experiment. Paid for their time and participation in the study, they will play games in an attempt to be the last team remaining. The purpose of these challenges is to test territorial and personal boundaries when placed under external duress. What happens when teammates must turn on their own? How far will they go to protect their territory? When a knife is introduced, the stakes become real… but so does the prize money.
Productions
Behind The Scenes
With Brent Holland
What inspired you to write this play?
I have a large incoming honors class and I was looking to write a show that would accommodate a large group for our competition play. With 19 roles, most of which are gender flexible, it works very well for that!
What's your favorite part or line in the play? Why?
I worked in an alternative school teaching PE for years and I tried to capture the attitude and sarcasm of those kids. I kind of enjoy Red-TWO's insistence that Red-THREE is his teammate but definitely not his friend. I saw a lot of behavior like that when I taught at that level.
Where did the characters come from? Are they based on people you know?
Most of the kids in this script are kids I taught at the alternative school I was at here in North Carolina. Giving each character a name of a student I knew well made writing their dialogue easy.
What did you try to achieve with this play?
I wanted this show to be fast paced and entertaining. I wanted to have a large cast competition piece that is easy to put up but has some weight to it.
Do you have anything else you'd like to add?
I am perfectly fine with small alterations to fit your situation. Please reach out if you have questions.