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Overview
Synopsis
The Giver is a stage adaptation of Lois Lowry’s award-winning novel. In the near future, 12-year-old Jonas lives in a society of Sameness, with no color, climate, or emotional depth. Nobody experiences pain, but nobody experiences joy either, an apparent utopia where everything and everyone is completely equal. But when Jonas is selected as the next Receiver of Memory, his eyes are opened to a world he has never known and a devastating truth forces him to make a decision that could change his community forever. With flexible casting options, minimal tech requirements, and a challenging role for a young actor, it’s an ideal option for middle and high school theatres.
Show Information
- Book
- Eric Coble
- Conceived By
- Eric Coble
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Based on the book The Giver by Lois Lowry
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 2006
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Fantasy/Imaginary, Contemporary, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- In and around the community, Soon
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- Dramatic Publishing Co.
- Ideal For
- Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, High School, Middle School, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Elderly, Child, Early Teen, Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
The Giver is an adaptation of Lois Lowry’s 1993 dystopian novel of the same name. Set in the near future, the story revolves around 12-year-old Jonas and his discovery of life before Sameness eliminated color, climate, and emotional depth from society. The novel is part of many middle school curriculums in the United States but is often challenged or banned from school libraries. It ranked #61 on the American Library Association’s most recent list of the most challenged books, which covered
to read the context for The Giver and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
In darkness, a plane roars overhead. A voice announces that there is no cause for alarm—a pilot simply made a wrong turn and tried to find his way back before anyone noticed. Because of this, he will be released. The lights come up on Father and Mother eating dinner with their children, seven-year-old Lily and 11-year-old Jonas. They wear comfortable gray clothes in a harsh white light, representing a colorless world. As is routine, they share their feelings. Jonas describes being apprehensive
to read the plot for The Giver and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
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|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
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|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
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|
Featured |
Female |
Silent |
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|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A play, musical, or opera that has been adapted from a written work.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Kevan Dunkelberg
Oklahoma-based drama teacher, actor and playwright