By James I. Schempp.
Product Code: B74000
One-act Play
Drama
Cast size: 3w.
This title can be licensed and sold throughout the World.
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A trio of young women wait the final call before the qualifying heat for the Olympic swim team. All are under extreme pressure, and one of them has found an undetectable performance-enhancing drug. When she is caught by the other two, she doesn't try to cover up what she has been doing—she attempts to convince them to join her. Bathers explores the values our society places on athletic competitions and the need to win at all costs. If everyone cheats and no one gets caught, who loses? The ending does not take the easy way out; all three girls decide to use the drug rather than maintain their integrity. "Maybe somebody will give you a medal for your integrity, but don't count on it. They only give medals for winning." This is more than a "just-say-no" play. It deals with the ambiguities of decision making. It is a play that helps to define the questions without forcing an answer.
Keep the set simple. Costuming can consist of swimsuits plus sweats and/or jackets.
James Wicker, Gaither High School, Tampa, Fla.