Like Dreaming, Backwards by Kellie Powell

Like Dreaming, Backwards
By Kellie Powell

WRITTEN: 2009.

SUMMARY: A college student, Nell is confronted by three messengers - hallucinations - who are manifests of her depression. One takes the form of a childhood friend (Libby), another of her estranged father, and the third takes the form of a former lover (Deck). These voices in Nell's mind persuade her that her only remaining option is suicide.

The play is made up of three scenes between Nell and her "messengers" and four monologues. The first three monologues take place after Nell's death. A casual acquaintance (Yale), a close friend (Natalie), and Nell's mother (Leah), all react to Nell's suicide. The final monologue is directly from Nell herself.

CAST: 4 Women, 3 Men. (Doubling of roles is possible.)

LENGTH: One-Act.

PAGES: 20.

PRODUCTION HISTORY:
Know Theatre, Binghamton NY, July 2009.

PERFORMANCE FEES: The fee to produce Like Dreaming, Backwards is $30 for each performance. To submit your request, producers and directors may contact Kellie Powell.

PURCHASE: An electronic copy of Like Dreaming, Backwards can be purchased for $7.50 as an instant download.

NELL I'm ready for my message.

DECK No, you're not. But when you are, you will slit yourself into pieces, and breathe fire. And everything will cease, and there will be nothing.

NELL There's really no chance? No chance that things might... change for me? That they might get better?

DECK Do you want me to lie? You're weary. There are circles under your eyes. How do you stand up, when every muscle aches to give out, and your body begs to collapse? How have you managed to go on fighting your own mind and body all these years?

NELL I have swam upstream. I have wrung my hands and knocked my head into the four walls of this room. Every breath I take makes my stomach lurch, my chest ache, my lungs sting.

DECK You never had a chance.

NELL Thank you.

DECK That doesn't make you angry?

NELL No. It's unfair, but it's good to hear.

Plays by Josh Weckesser & Kellie Powell