The Dream Makers
A full-length play with dreams and a large cast for youth theatres and schools by Barbara Hockley
The plot
In the Dream Palace, dreams are acted out every night, but dreams are a messy business. Beka is part of the clean-up team that arrives when a dream has finished and left the stage. But she isn't happy there - she wants to be a dream actor. Her friend, Keri, left to be a dream actor, but no one remembers her. They think Beka is quietly going a bit mad with all her memories of her friend. Then Jude joins the team, and he seems rather mysterious - can he be trusted? He's very quick to align with Beka. Why is that? Once you start exploring the Dream Palace and poking around, you find secrets. And people.
A play about friendship, moving on in life, leaving friends behind, memories and dreams.
A funny, surreal and poignant play for young teenagers.
Characters
The Grounders - (Cleaners)
Beka: Has aspirations and would like to be a DA (Dream Actor). She believes that her friend Keri managed to become a DA, but no one else remembers her.
Holly: Down-to-earth Grounders leader. Doesn't believe in dreams.
Connor: Bit of a joker and friend to Beka.
Faith: Rather nervous. Would rather not know about dreams.
Jude: The new boy. Inquisitive and has a keen sense of adventure.
The Dream Actors (Actors)
Keri: New to dream acting and learning the ropes.
Loren May: The romantic lead. Pining for the previous romantic hero and not satisfied with Nathan's take on romance.
Nathan: The romantic and adventurous hero. Overworked since the actors lost their last romantic hero in a dust storm dream.
Tobias: Plays all other male parts that don't require a hero. Would love to be a hero. Rather dim & new to the job. Enthusiastic.
Sofia: Plays minor roles. Adores Nathan. Jealous of Keri, who appears to be getting on well with Loren May. Has aspirations.
Dextra & Vextra: Dream Extras. Pragmatic & down to earth. They see no glamour in the dream business.
The Crew (For Dreams)
Director: The Dream Director.
Violet: Lighting
Decibella: Sound
Lacey: Costume
Smokey: Special Effects
Aestheta: Set Design & Dressing
Rouge: Make-up.
The Dreamers
Dreamer 1: Anxiety dream
Dreamer 2 Romantic dream
Dreamer 3 Nightmare
Dreamer 4 Flying & underwater dream
Dreamer 5 Heroic dream
2 'Secret Agents'
2 Security Guards
Additional Extras can be added to make up numbers if required.
Notes on the Dream Palace
The Dream Makers is set in a 'Dream Palace' - a factory of dreams, a place where dreams are created and stored, off-the-shelf as well as bespoke. All the action takes place on one of the 'dream stages' - although the Grounders aren't aware of dream action as their awareness is focused on the mundane and practical aspects of the process. Their job is to clean up after dreams (they usually have no idea how the space gets so messy, as they never see anything happening) and to perform routine maintenance tasks. Light and sound cues are the way they know when and where to work. The dream world is inhabited by a whole range of people - actors, technical crew, artists and a director. They are likewise oblivious to the presence of the Grounders. Cleaning, to them, is as much a magical process as dreaming is to the Grounders.
"..they (author) should be complimented on the inspiration of the idea and the frequent wit of the script. In the midst of all the weird fun of this performance, I was moved by two underlying and sensitive themes:
(1)The difficulties of childhood and adolescence - the need to grow up, to move on, andto accept that things cannot stay the same and childhood friends may not be friends forever ..."
Part of a review from the original production (edited)
Download a sample of the script
The first few scenes to get a feel for the play. It starts as Beka appears to be dreaming, and she follows her friend Keri to a mysterious door...
As she leaves her dream and lies down another dream starts to take place.
Where is she? What is happening?
The play begins in a dreamy and strange way, but all will become clear.
Download the script to read on...
Details
- Suitable for 11+ KS3, KS4 & YA. Originally written for 11-14 year-olds.
- Running time is approx. 80 minutes (+ interval)
- Great challenges for set building, lights and sound.
- You could involve live music as well - if you wanted!
- An opportunity for an ensemble cast to be very creative with the dream sequences.
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The various characters can be any gender - play it to suit your cast. You will need to make sure the casting of the Dream Actors works.
Why perform The Dream Makers?
- LOTS of parts - and all with their own challenges.
- Your tech, music and set-building folk will be very involved too.
- A full-length play to get immersed in.
- A chance to experience some real-time lucid dreams...
- You get to explore anxiety, romance, heroism, flying, swimming underwater and a nightmare - all in one play.
- It's very emotional and moving at the end.
Staging
The set should consist of a central playing area with a large dream-catcher above it (a nice touch, but not crucial). At one side of the stage there should be a light/machine of some sort that is used every time the Grounders are required to clear up the dream stage – alternatively you can use sounds of any sort to indicate the same. To the other side large imposing 'dream gates' stand (can be anything that indicates a 'large doorway'). Ideally the dream gates should light up whenever a dream is about to take place. When they are lit it is possible to go through them from the dream stage to the 'backstage' area of the dream palace where the actors & crew hang out. When it is not lit access is by code/hand scan etc, & this information is not available to Grounders, therefore they are not aware that there is anything at all beyond the gates. With me so far? All will become clear... The rest of the set is entirely up to the imagination of the designer, but requires hiding places and places to keep props and costumes. It should look as dreamy and bizarre as possible.
The Dreams
There are 5 dream sequences in the play and they offer tremendous scope for creativity. The general concept of each dream and any crucial action that relates to the plot/character development or discovery is detailed in the script. Other than that you can have a lot of fun with sounds, music, dance, mime, film – anything you like to create a fantastical sequence worthy of the best remembered dreams!
Each 'dreamer' enters the dream stage and proceeds to interact with the dream actors who become the other characters in the dream. Some dreams work out well - others not so. But have fun with them!
- The Anxiety Dream
- The Romantic Dream
- The Nightmare
- The Flying and Underwater Dream
- The Heroic Dream
The Cost
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Script + photocopying rights | £15 |
| PR 1 performance | £25 |
| PR multiple performances | £50 |
Interested in performing?
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