Playwriting Camp 2023
Fighting Words staff and volunteer mentors were privileged this year to work with a gifted, talented and fun bunch of 11 to 13 year olds!
Over the course of five days working, we explored playwriting and helped these fantastic individuals to craft their own short plays from scratch. The work each author selected for inclusion is collected here.
To all the young playwrights - keep writing all of you! We hope we work with you again soon!
Fighting Words staff and volunteer mentors were privileged this year to work with a gifted, talented and fun bunch of 11 to 13 year olds!
Over the course of five days working, we explored playwriting and helped these fantastic individuals to craft their own short plays from scratch. The work each author selected for inclusion is collected here.
To all the young playwrights - keep writing all of you! We hope we work with you again soon!
don’t even know her! SONIA : I know, I know, but if you were the parents of this poor girl wouldn’t you want to know about her? JIMMY : Oh, for god sake, we don’t even know them! SONIA : Look, the only thing I need you to do is to ask around the neighbourhood to see if anybody knows anything about her. Maybe even ask the landlord what name her apartment was under. JIMMY: Fine... I’ll ask the landlord, but if we do find them we have to tell the doctor that you are not the real mother and that “Maria” is not her real name. SONIA : Fine... I agree. Now go to work but when you get home talk to the landlord and find out some information. JIMMY : Bye, love you. SONIA : Bye, Sonia blows an air kiss. SCENE 5 Back on the street where the accident happened, it’s dusk, light is fading, Jimmy enters from upstage left. He is tired after a long day’s work. It’s been weeks since the girl went into a coma, he spots the landlord walking quickly across down stage, he’s in a hurry. JIMMY : Oh! Yoohoo, goodday Mr Stanley. How you doing ? Mr Stanley answers absentmindedly, not even looking up. MR S : Oh, hello Mr Wozowsky. I’m good. How are you doing? I’m sorry if I’m acting rude but I am terribly busy. 54
JIMMY : Oh, no worries........Terrible thing that happened to that girl in number 13, isn’t it, what was her name again.... MR S : Jenny. JIMMY : Jenny.... MR S : Jenny Richards. SCENE 6 In the hospital, it’s morning again, Jimmy is back in his work clothes, Sonia is still sitting beside Maria/Jenny’s bed. Jimmy gently shakes Sonia to wake her up. JIMMY : Hi, honey, goodmorning. SONIA : Oh hi, dear, how are you ? She says yawning. JIMMY : I found her name. SONIA : WOW! That was easy. What is it ? JIMMY : It’s Jenny Richards. SONIA : Oh my ! Have you found out about the parents? JIMMY : I went to the police earlier and they told me that the parents are named Michelle and Anthony Richardson. I also got their address SONIA : Oh my god that’s great news! 55
- Page 4 and 5: Annie 4
- Page 6 and 7: PATRICIA: Do NOT speak to me in tha
- Page 8 and 9: Alfie and Evan 8
- Page 10 and 11: G: You’re acting real strange, Mi
- Page 12 and 13: Emily 12
- Page 14 and 15: P: I can’t believe we have been t
- Page 16 and 17: Eric 16
- Page 18 and 19: S But, I was bleeding from my leg,
- Page 20 and 21: Characters: Bob Mom Dad The boy tha
- Page 22 and 23: Mom: Bob set up your tent. Bob: The
- Page 24 and 25: Bob: What?! No way I’m eating tun
- Page 26 and 27: Sophie 26
- Page 28 and 29: Eve 28
- Page 30 and 31: JESS: OK then- × hands CV and sits
- Page 32 and 33: × they both skipped outside and ho
- Page 34 and 35: Characters: Narrator Mr. Jacob Lucy
- Page 36 and 37: Lucy: welllll… its Mr. Lord: I WI
- Page 38 and 39: Characters: Stella Miss Nelson Kris
- Page 40 and 41: Nona: …………… You like dogs
- Page 42 and 43: Characters: Sally Man The Academy o
- Page 44 and 45: Man: (cries out in surprise) “I k
- Page 46 and 47: September 11 1918 The Hidden Oasis
- Page 48 and 49: Saoirse 48
- Page 50 and 51: P1: Call the ER, tell them to prepa
- Page 52 and 53: SONIA : Emmmmm.... Stage goes dark,
- Page 56 and 57: JIMMY : I’m going to go see them
- Page 58 and 59: SCENE 8 Back in the hospital, it’
- Page 60 and 61: Robyn 60
- Page 62 and 63: J: ok kid. Where do you live? (Soft
- Page 64 and 65: The fox and the pigeon Characters:
- Page 66 and 67: Pigeon: Yes he is in there. Fox: Hi
- Page 68 and 69: Nanny Margaret: Marion’s Funeral
- Page 70 and 71: Margaret - Ah it’s only that Jame
- Page 72 and 73: Ruby 72
- Page 74 and 75: Tommy (Answers) Where are you? It
- Page 76 and 77: Julia 76
- Page 78 and 79: Chief: Hello Lily Lilly:(Water expl
- Page 80 and 81: TWO YEARS LATER LILY: I’m Fleging
- Page 84: www.fightingwords.ie
JIMMY : Oh, no worries........Terrible thing that happened to that girl in<br />
number 13, isn’t it, what was her name again....<br />
MR S : Jenny.<br />
JIMMY : Jenny....<br />
MR S : Jenny Richards.<br />
SCENE 6<br />
In the hospital, it’s morning again, Jimmy is back in his work clothes, Sonia is still<br />
sitting beside Maria/Jenny’s bed. Jimmy gently shakes Sonia to wake her up.<br />
JIMMY : Hi, honey, goodmorning.<br />
SONIA : Oh hi, dear, how are you ? She says yawning.<br />
JIMMY : I found her name.<br />
SONIA : WOW! That was easy. What is it ?<br />
JIMMY : It’s Jenny Richards.<br />
SONIA : Oh my ! Have you found out about the parents?<br />
JIMMY : I went to the police earlier and they told me that the parents are named<br />
Michelle and Anthony Richardson. I also got their address<br />
SONIA : Oh my god that’s great news!<br />
55