Overview
Synopsis
A blustering theatre director and his egotistical cast are in the midst of a rehearsal when a rag-tag family of characters enter, desperately seeking an author to complete their partially-finished stories. The director is not a writer, and the actors are skeptical, but before they know it they have all been drawn into the tragicomic tales of the Six Characters, and must see the drama through to its end.
A metatheatrical comedy, Six Characters in Search of an Author cemented Luigi Pirandello’s international reputation, and is now considered a classic piece of absurdist theatre. Nestled within the illogical narrative of the titular Six Characters are questions of truth, illusion, ownership, and authorship, making the play both a nonsensical and philosophical farce.
Show Information
Context
Six Characters in Search of an Author is Luigi Pirandello’s best-known play, and the one which cemented his reputation in the world of theatre - partially because of its infamy. When Six Characters was first performed at the Teatro Valle in Rome, the audience was - largely- outraged by the play’s nonsensical plot. However, this enigmatic play continued to be presented, and gradually gained momentum. Since its premiere, the play has been performed on Broadway many times, featured
to read the context for Six Characters in Search of an Author and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
In a darkened theatre rehearsal hall, a Property Man and Prompter (Stage Manager) enter and begin to make preparations for a rehearsal. They are shortly joined by several Actors, and then the Manager (Director), who calls a start to the rehearsal. The rehearsal finally begins, and we learn that the company is preparing for a presentation of another of Pirandello’s plays, Mixing It Up (sometimes translated as The Rules of the Game). In the scene they are about to rehearse, the
to read the plot for Six Characters in Search of an Author and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
Showing 8 of 13 characters
Character Portrayals
See StageAgent members who have performed roles in Six Characters in Search of an Author.
Want to be featured on this page? Update your credits.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
Absurdism is a 20th-century theatrical style that reflects the belief that life lacks inherent meaning. Playwrights such as Samuel Beckett and Eugène Ionesco used illogical dialogue, repetition, and surreal situations. The genre emphasizes the futility of human struggle and the breakdown of communication.
An actor is a performer who portrays a character in theatre, film, or television through voice, movement, and emotional expression. Actors interpret scripts, collaborate with directors, and bring stories to life for audiences. The term applies to performers of any gender.
A dramatic movement featuring illogical dialogue, cyclical plots, and existential themes, reflecting the absurdity of human existence.
Quizzes
Guide Written By:
