Explore this Show

Overview

Synopsis

When we first meet Angela, she says she’s taking shelter from an oncoming tornado. But as she admits, she’s not a reliable narrator. As a storm rages just outside, Angela reflects on her career as an insurance agent, her love of statistics, and her mother. But from the beginning, it’s clear that something isn’t quite right. Eventually, Angela admits there is no storm, revealing that the tornado is a metaphor for something far worse. Lauren Gunderson is known for devastating twist endings, and this one-woman play is no exception. What starts as a comedic one-act becomes a raw, heart-racing snapshot of domestic violence. Framed around Hamlet’s “to be or not to be” soliloquy, Natural Shocks offers a star vehicle for an actress who can embody Angela’s charm and raw vulnerability as she faces her own existential crossroad.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
1
First Produced
2018
Genres
Drama
Settings
Contemporary, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
A half-finished basement in a normal house in America right now
Cast Size
small
Ideal For
Community Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Star Vehicle Female, All-Female Cast, Diverse Cast, Includes Adult Characters

Context

Sorry, we currently do not have content for this section.

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Angela

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Songs

Sorry, we currently do not have content for this section.

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

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Quote Analysis

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Guide Written By:

Kevan Dunkelberg

Kevan Dunkelberg

Oklahoma-based drama teacher, actor and playwright