Overview
A Seriously Ridiculous Comedy
In the opening scene of this comedy, a writer meets the ghost of Franz Kafka, which sets off an existential chain of events forcing the cast to confront the meaning of life. Through a series of hilarious random encounters, the play questions whether we can understand our existence or is life just one long Zoom meeting interrupted by Amazon and DoorDash deliveries. Designed to be simply staged, ASKING STRANGERS THE MEANING OF LIFE can use a cast as small as four or as many as ten. The cast can be any race, ethnicity, physicality, and sexual orientation/identity.
Casting & Production
Casting
10 actors (or 5 with Doubling)
Character List:
The cast can be any race, ethnicity, physicality, and sexual orientation/identity. The only gender-specific roles are the Counselor (Female) and the Therapist (Male). Please change the pronouns to fit your needs.
FRANZ KAFKA
WRITER
DANCER
GENIUS
CARDINAL
BUNGEE
THERAPIST
COUNSELOR
STUDENT
PROFESSOR
Time & Place:
Right here and now on a stage in front of an audience.There is no fourth wall.
Production Notes
All you need is an assortment of benches and chairs. The simple stage is covered with a collage of bright autumn leaves. As with Shakespeare, the many locations are achieved through verbal scene painting, and not with an abundance of props, sets, or set pieces. Think “Our Town.”