Bird Watchers
- 20 Minutes
- 1 Male, 1 Female, Min/Max 2
$5.75 – $45.00
In this award-winning play, a shy and precise woman is paired with an outgoing, free-spirited writer in this delightful one act set in a forest during a search for the rare Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Will she succumb to his charm. Can be performed by any ages. Great for community theaters, auditions, and high school competitions. Downloadable, printable PDF available.
Play Details
Overview
A shy and precise woman is paired with an outgoing, free-spirited writer in this delightful one act set in a forest during a search for the rare Ivory-billed Woodpecker. The play has won many awards, including The Actor’s Workshop in Florida, and been produced at Chrysler Hall, and the Generic Theatre, both in Norfolk, Virginia; the Oak Grove Theatre and Wolf Trap Farm, both in Northern Virginia
From the Play
Play Excerpt:
THE CHARACTERS
He: a freelance writer
She: a birdwatcher
THE SCENE
A forest clearing
TIME
Early morning, the present
Play Excerpt:
SHE: Right. Well now. Good. So, out with the equipment. (Goes to her spot, gets stuff. Pause, watching him. ) You were assigned to this location?
HE: Well, no, not that I know of. It just seemed like a likely spot. Shady, not too shady. Quiet. It wasn’t that I had any particular kind of spot in mind beforehand. I was just looking for a spot when I got here. I thought this seemed like a good one.
SHE: But, you do have your card?
HE: My card?
SHE: Your Audubon card, for identification.
HE: Oh. No, I don’t. I just heard…this morning…you know, spur of the moment.
SHE: (Standing. Laughs a bit) Oh, it’s easy to forget on the spur of the moment. Well (setting up) I don’t suppose it matters this time…about the card. (Pause. Watches, then..) I’ll bet this is your first experience.
HE: Yeah. That’s right. First time out!
SHE: Well, you’re going to really enjoy it, I’m sure. (She goes to sit)
HE: Yep. I didn’t know what to bring along in the way of equipment, you know. (Indicating all his stuff. Sits )
SHE: Right. I think we always feel so much more at home with some of our own things around us. (Pause. She gets tissue for nose. )
HE: Are you native to this area, Miss…Finch?
SHE: Wren..No, no, Wren… Alice Wren.
HE: (Laughing, overlapping her correction) Oh. I’m sorry.
SHE: (Also laughing) It’s all right. People often get it confused. Yes, I was born ‘n raised…just down the road. (Pause. She gets a book out, marks page.)
HE: What’s that book you have there?
SHE: Oh, this? Oh, it’s just my official Audubon Field Guide. I’m afraid not to use it. On the only occasion I ever used something else, I had a terrible time getting confirmation.
HE: (after a pause) What… uh… what kind of confirmation do you get?
SHE: Well, you confirm that you’ve actually seen the bird you think you’ve seen.
HE: Ah
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