Frankenstein
based on the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
12 to 35 actors of all genders
120 minutes, one intermission
When Mary Shelley sits down to write Frankenstein, she’s 18 years old with everything to prove. Her husband, the poet Percy Shelley, is too in his head to notice his wife’s phenomenal talent. She’s grieving the death of her infant daughter. And in this era of gothic literature, no one wants to believe that the darkness on the page mirrors the storm in her own head. That is, until her mother shows up. The only problem is, Mary Wollstonecraft died when Shelley was just ten days old.
This adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel explores monsters and the women who create them. It’s a play that asks the age old question: How far would you go to to outrun your ghosts?
—
This play is completely high school appropriate and perfect for school productions at both high schools and universities. Theatre teachers interested in reading or licensing the play are welcome to contact me directly. A radio play version of Frankenstein is also available for perusal.
Production History
MERIDIAN HIGH SCHOOL (FALLS CHURCH, VA)
PRODUCTION
DIR. SHAWN NORTHRIP, 2024
SITKA COMMUNITY THEATRE (SITKA, AK)
PRODUCTION
DIR. SOTERA PEREZ, 2024
COMMONWEALTH THEATRE CENTER (LOUISVILLE, KY)
PRODUCTION
DIR. HEATHER BURNS & MEG CAUDILL, 2023
MCHENRY COUNTY COLLEGE (CRYSTAL LAKE, IL)
PRODUCTION
DIR. JAY GELLER, 2023
CHERRY CREEK HIGH SCHOOL (GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO)
PRODUCTION
DIR. ALEXANDER BURKART, 2022
HOLLINS UNIVERSITY (ROANOKE, VA)
UNIVERSITY SHOWCASE / STAGED READING
DIR. WENDY-MARIE MARTIN, 2022
STRAND THEATER (BALTIMORE, MD)
PRODUCTION
DIR. LANOREE BLAKE, 2022
CASTAIC HIGH SCHOOL (CASTAIC, CA)
PRODUCTION
DIR. HANNAH MISTRY, 2021
BYRON NELSON HIGH SCHOOL (TROPHY CLUB, TX)
PRODUCTION
DIR. JAMES HAMMER, 2021
MOUNT VERNON HIGH SCHOOL (ALEXANDRIA, VA)
RADIO PLAY PRODUCTION
DIR. JESSICA JOY SATRYAN SHAW, 2020
VILLAGE THEATRE KIDSTAGE (ISSAQUAH, WA)
RADIO PLAY PRODUCTION
DIR. DANIELLE MOHLMAN, 2020
Development History
MERIDIAN HIGH SCHOOL (FALLS CHURCH, VA)
WORKSHOP
DIR. SHAWN NORTHRIP, 2020
Actors portraying Victor Frankenstein and Henry Clerval in the 2022 Cherry Creek High School production of Frankenstein, directed by Alex Burkart. Photo courtesy of Cherry Creek High School
Actors portraying The Party and Henry Clerval in the 2022 Cherry Creek High School production of Frankenstein, directed by Alex Burkart. Photo courtesy of Cherry Creek High School
Actors portraying The Party, Madame DeLacy, and The Creature in the 2022 Cherry Creek High School production of Frankenstein, directed by Alex Burkart. Photo courtesy of Cherry Creek High School
Actors portraying The Creature and Elizabeth Lavenza in the 2022 Cherry Creek High School production of Frankenstein, directed by Alex Burkart. Photo courtesy of Cherry Creek High School