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
- Book
- Lauren Gunderson
- 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
- Licensor
- Dramatists Play Service
- Ideal For
- Community Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Star Vehicle Female, All-Female Cast, Diverse Cast, Includes Adult Characters
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
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
When an actor breaks the fourth wall to speak directly to the audience.
A storyteller, or someone who provides commentary on the action of a play or musical.
A speech given by a character that reveals inner thoughts only shared with the audience.
A production designed especially to show off the talents of a particular performer.
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