Overview

Synopsis

Catherine has inherited her late father’s mathematical brilliance, but she is haunted by the fear that she might also share his debilitating mental illness. She has spent years caring for her now-deceased father, and upon his death, she feels left alone to pick up the pieces of her life without him. Caught between a new-found connection with Hal, one of her father’s former students, and the reappearance of her sister, Claire, Catherine finds both her world and her mind growing increasingly unstable. Then Hal discovers a groundbreaking proof among the 103 notebooks Catherine’s father left behind, and Catherine is forced to further question how much of her father’s genius or madness will she inherit. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, David Auburn’s Proof is a passionate, intelligent story about fathers and daughters, the nature of genius, and the power of love.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2000
Genres
Drama
Settings
Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
2000, the back porch of a house in Hyde Park, Chicago
Cast Size
small
Ideal For
community theatre, professional theatre, university, college, College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Star Vehicle Female, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Catherine

Lead

Female

Spoken

Harold Dobbs (Hal)

Lead

Male

Spoken

Claire

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Robert

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Songs

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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

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Scenes

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Key Terms

    The antagonist is a character who opposes the protagonist and creates conflict within the story. They are not always villains but are critical to the development of dramatic tension.

    A character arc is the journey of personal growth, change, or transformation that a character undergoes throughout a play or musical. It often involves overcoming internal or external obstacles, leading to a deeper understanding of oneself or others. Strong arcs help audiences connect emotionally with characters and give structure to the overall narrative.

    The moment of highest tension in a play, usually where the main conflict reaches a turning point.

    The central struggle between opposing forces in a play, driving tension and character development.

    Exposition is the presentation of background information necessary to understand the story, such as setting, character relationships, and prior events. It is often delivered through dialogue, narration, or stage action woven naturally into the play. Effective exposition provides clarity without disrupting the flow of the drama.

    A dramatic device that transports the narrative to an earlier time to provide background or context.

    The main character of a play or story, typically the one whose journey or conflict drives the plot. The protagonist often experiences growth or change.

    A theatrical movement that strives to depict everyday life and authentic behavior on stage. It often focuses on domestic settings and psychological depth.

    The portion of a play where conflicts are resolved and the narrative concludes. It follows the climax and restores order or provides closure.

    Subtext refers to the unspoken thoughts, emotions, or intentions that lie beneath a character’s dialogue or actions. It provides depth and complexity to performances, allowing audiences to sense hidden conflicts or desires. Directors and actors often rely on subtext to create nuance and tension in storytelling.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Quote Analysis

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