Cast: 10+ actors. Most characters may be played by either men or women, even in the face of gender-stereotyped roles and names. A company of players takes the audience through a kaleidoscope in which one episode dissolves into another like an absurd dream. Each episode lets you see some aspect of yourself as a perceptive artist sees you, and the view is not always pleasant. What is the "asylum?" Is it the world of "normal" people, or the rest of us? The feeling of Asylum is one of space rather than a stage, a nameless place rather than a specific location. Technical theatricality must be minimized. An area, empty except for a tattered wheelchair. Area staging. Costumes are unimportant except that Doctor and Person should dress appropriately to their stations. Work clothing—perhaps a jeans look—is suggested for the Ensemble. The choice of music is the Ensemble's prerogative. For university, community and high school. A Director's Script (prompt book) is available that contains drawings of costumes and set, details on all technical aspects of staging, discussion of characterization, plot and theme. It also suggests the complete blocking and full stage directions for all movement and business. Approximate running time: 35 to 40 minutes.

Also Available:

background music CD
director's script