Overview
Synopsis
In the 1980s, New York City was an epicenter of the AIDS epidemic that devastated the LGBT community. Scientists and doctors understood very little about the virus and how it spread. Fear and paranoia were rampant, But even as the death toll continued to multiply, the media and the government took little interest. The theatre began responding with visceral plays born out of a quiet, unyielding anger. One of those plays was William Hoffman’s As Is. When caterer Rich is diagnosed with AIDS and abandoned by those closest to him, he returns to his ex-husband Saul. Rich and Saul drive the play as they float through time and space in vignettes performed by an ensemble of actors. The playwright specifies that the ensemble consists of at least four men and two women; casting and distribution of ensemble roles is otherwise flexible. As Is is a raw, theatrical snapshot of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, both the fear it caused and the poignant humanity born out of it.
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Characters
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Character Portrayals
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Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a medical condition caused by the HIV virus that weakens the immune system. It has had a profound impact on the performing arts community, particularly in the late 20th century, as many artists and organizations have addressed its social and personal effects through theatre.
A performance technique where an actor speaks directly to the audience, breaking the fourth wall for dramatic or comedic effect.
A group of performers who function as a unit in a production rather than as individuals with leading roles.
A vignette in drama is a short, self-contained scene or playlet that focuses on a single moment, theme, or character interaction. It does not require a full plot or complex structure, but instead provides a snapshot of life that conveys emotion, humor, or insight. Vignettes can stand alone or be grouped together to form a larger work.
Videos
Guide Written By:
Kevan Dunkelberg
Oklahoma-based drama teacher, actor and playwright