The Distracted Scholar's Guide to Literature and Drama by Peter Bloedel

(12)
Productions (104)
Comedy
|
25 - 35 minutes
6 W, 6 M, 12 Any (8-40 actors possible: 4-20 W, 4-20 M)
Set: Minimal

Short attention span? This play offers to teach the audience everything they'd ever need to know about the major movements and works in Western literature and drama. Well...kind of. The audience is given a comic "fast-forward" tour of authors, playwrights, and poets including the likes of Sophocles, Dante, Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Jane Austen. Major movements in literary and dramatic history, like the Enlightenment and Romanticism, are taught as the actors portray a hilarious "mash-up" between Frankenstein and Pride and Prejudice, as well as other unlikely pairings and synopses. The play is replete with ghosts, villains, and common plot devices, and burns through the other major periods in literary history culminating in a fast-paced handling of movies and "The Great Summer Blockbuster!" A lesson in literature and drama was never so fun!

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $60
Standard Edition $11.99
eScript Digital Edition $17.5
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $75

*The per performance fee begins at $60. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.

eScript Digital editions when purchased as a retail item cannot be printed or downloaded. They are for reading on personal computer, or tablet devices (phones, iPads, Kobo, Sony, etc.). It can viewed on up to 5 individual devices. When an escript is purchased as part of a license, please email [email protected] to receive your printable PDF.


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

Play Details

Short attention span? This play offers to teach the audience everything they'd ever need to know about the major movements and works in Western literature and drama. Well...kind of. The audience is given a comic "fast-forward" tour of authors, playwrights, and poets including the likes of Sophocles, Dante, Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Jane Austen. Major movements in literary and dramatic history, like the Enlightenment and Romanticism, are taught as the actors portray a hilarious "mash-up" between Frankenstein and Pride and Prejudice, as well as other unlikely pairings and synopses. The play is replete with ghosts, villains, and common plot devices, and burns through the other major periods in literary history culminating in a fast-paced handling of movies and "The Great Summer Blockbuster!" A lesson in literature and drama was never so fun!

  • Comedy
  • |
  • 25 - 35 minutes
  • 6 W, 6 M, 12 Any (8-40 actors possible: 4-20 W, 4-20 M)
  • Set: Minimal
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-68069-008-8

Production History

NOV 07, 2024 - NOV 07, 2024
Meridian World School
Round Rock, TX United States
Meridian World School Round Rock, TX United States
NOV 07, 2024 - NOV 23, 2024
CHEC
Sulphur Springs, TX United States
CHEC Sulphur Springs, TX United States
MAY 30, 2024 - MAY 30, 2024
Hopewell High School
Charlotte, NC United States
Hopewell High School Charlotte, NC United States
MAY 14, 2024 - MAY 14, 2024
Rio Rancho High School
Rio Rancho, NM United States
Rio Rancho High School Rio Rancho, NM United States
MAR 06, 2024 - MAR 06, 2024
Camden Hills Regional High School
Rockport, ME United States
Camden Hills Regional High School Rockport, ME United States
MAR 01, 2024 - MAR 02, 2024
The Academy of Classical Christian Studies
Oklahoma City, OK United States
The Academy of Classical Christian Studies Oklahoma City, OK United States
FEB 28, 2024 - MAR 01, 2024
Kirksville High School
Mexico, MO United States
Kirksville High School Mexico, MO United States
FEB 09, 2024 - FEB 10, 2024
Church of the Nativity
Burke, VA United States
Church of the Nativity Burke, VA United States
JAN 18, 2024 - JAN 19, 2024
Harmony School of Excellence
Houston, TX United States
Harmony School of Excellence Houston, TX United States
DEC 15, 2023 - DEC 15, 2023
Emporia High School
EMPORIA, KS United States
Emporia High School EMPORIA, KS United States
JAN 21, 2023 - JAN 21, 2023
Davis High School
Campbell, CA United States
Davis High School Campbell, CA United States
OCT 06, 2022 - OCT 07, 2022
Pace Academy
Atlanta, GA United States
Pace Academy Atlanta, GA United States
JUL 30, 2022 - JUL 31, 2022
Roots' School of Theatre LLC
Fishers, IN United States
Roots' School of Theatre LLC Fishers, IN United States
APR 01, 2022 - APR 01, 2022
Green Valley Theatre
Henderson, NV United States
Green Valley Theatre Henderson, NV United States
DEC 04, 2021 - DEC 04, 2021
Allegra School of Music and Arts and My Son, Your Daughter, The Jonah Johnson Youth Scholarship Fund
Hillsborough, NJ United States
Allegra School of Music and Arts and My Son, Your Daughter, The Jonah Johnson Youth Scholarship Fund Hillsborough, NJ United States
NOV 17, 2021 - NOV 18, 2021
Charleston County School of the Arts
N Charleston, SC United States
Charleston County School of the Arts N Charleston, SC United States
OCT 14, 2021 - OCT 16, 2021
Lincoln High School
Manitowoc, WI United States
Lincoln High School Manitowoc, WI United States
MAY 04, 2021 - MAY 05, 2021
Greater Atlanta Christian School
Norcross, GA United States
Greater Atlanta Christian School Norcross, GA United States
MAR 26, 2021 - MAR 27, 2021
Bedford Community Schools
Bedford, IA United States
Bedford Community Schools Bedford, IA United States
MAR 17, 2021 - MAR 21, 2021
Countryside High Drama Department
Clearwater, FL United States
Countryside High Drama Department Clearwater, FL United States
FEB 26, 2021 - FEB 26, 2021
The Knaves Iambic
Fargo, ND United States
The Knaves Iambic Fargo, ND United States
FEB 06, 2021 - FEB 06, 2021
Central Community School District
Postville, IA United States
Central Community School District Postville, IA United States
JAN 23, 2021 - JAN 23, 2021
Central Community School District
West Union, IA United States
Central Community School District West Union, IA United States
NOV 13, 2020 - NOV 13, 2020
Countryside High Theatre
Clearwater, FL United States
Countryside High Theatre Clearwater, FL United States
AUG 02, 2020 - AUG 02, 2020
Red Wing Community Education Young Peoples� Summer Theatre Intensive
Red Wing, MN United States
Red Wing Community Education Young Peoples� Summer Theatre Intensive Red Wing, MN United States
JUN 19, 2020 - JUN 19, 2020
Topeka Civic Theatre
TOPEKA, KS United States
Topeka Civic Theatre TOPEKA, KS United States
MAY 21, 2020 - MAY 22, 2020
Shirley Heim Middle School
Stafford, VA United States
Shirley Heim Middle School Stafford, VA United States
APR 27, 2020 - APR 27, 2020
North Ridge Middle School
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX United States
North Ridge Middle School NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX United States
APR 25, 2020 - APR 26, 2020
El Diamante Miner Diamond Players
Visalia, CA United States
El Diamante Miner Diamond Players Visalia, CA United States
FEB 22, 2020 - FEB 22, 2020
CRESTON HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH DEPT.
Ames, IA United States
CRESTON HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH DEPT. Ames, IA United States
FEB 08, 2020 - FEB 08, 2020
Creston High School speech and drama department
CRESTON, IA United States
Creston High School speech and drama department CRESTON, IA United States
JAN 25, 2020 - JAN 25, 2020
CRESTON HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH DEPT.
CRESTON, IA United States
CRESTON HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH DEPT. CRESTON, IA United States
DEC 06, 2019 - DEC 07, 2019
Orono Middle School
Orono, ME United States
Orono Middle School Orono, ME United States
DEC 05, 2019 - DEC 05, 2019
Lee County Middle School East
Leesburg, GA United States
Lee County Middle School East Leesburg, GA United States
SEP 18, 2019 - SEP 19, 2019
St. Francis Borgia Regional High School
Washington, MO United States
St. Francis Borgia Regional High School Washington, MO United States
AUG 10, 2019 - AUG 10, 2019
ORiGiN Theatrical (The School of AIPA)
Rouse Hill, NSW Australia
ORiGiN Theatrical (The School of AIPA) Rouse Hill, NSW Australia
AUG 09, 2019 - AUG 09, 2019
The Nantucket Dreamland
Nantucket, MA Canada
The Nantucket Dreamland Nantucket, MA Canada
APR 26, 2019 - APR 28, 2019
The Pocket Theater
Hot Springs, AR United States
The Pocket Theater Hot Springs, AR United States
APR 17, 2019 - APR 17, 2019
Canyon Ridge Middle School Theatre Arts
Austin, TX United States
Canyon Ridge Middle School Theatre Arts Austin, TX United States
APR 11, 2019 - APR 12, 2019
Mexico High School
Mexico, MO United States
Mexico High School Mexico, MO United States
MAR 28, 2019 - MAR 30, 2019
Cold Lake High School
Cold Lake, AB Canada
Cold Lake High School Cold Lake, AB Canada
MAR 18, 2019 - MAR 25, 2019
Stearns High School
Ellsworth, ME United States
Stearns High School Ellsworth, ME United States
MAR 05, 2019 - MAR 15, 2019
Stearns High School
Millinocket, ME United States
Stearns High School Millinocket, ME United States
MAR 01, 2019 - MAR 01, 2019
Mexico High School
Mexico, MO United States
Mexico High School Mexico, MO United States
FEB 27, 2019 - MAR 02, 2019
American School Of Antananarivo
Antanarivo, Madagascar
American School Of Antananarivo Antanarivo, Madagascar
FEB 26, 2019 - FEB 28, 2019
California Trail Middle School
Olathe, KS United States
California Trail Middle School Olathe, KS United States
FEB 21, 2019 - FEB 22, 2019
Alice B. Landrum Middle School
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL United States
Alice B. Landrum Middle School Ponte Vedra Beach, FL United States
FEB 21, 2019 - FEB 22, 2019
Indian Trail Middle School
Olathe, KS United States
Indian Trail Middle School Olathe, KS United States
FEB 05, 2019 - FEB 05, 2019
Monacan High School
Richmond, VA United States
Monacan High School Richmond, VA United States
FEB 02, 2019 - FEB 02, 2019
The Geneva School
Orlando, FL United States
The Geneva School Orlando, FL United States
JAN 19, 2019 - JAN 19, 2019
Dallas Center Grimes High School
Grimes, IA United States
Dallas Center Grimes High School Grimes, IA United States
DEC 10, 2018 - DEC 21, 2018
Tex Hill Middle School
San Antonio, TX United States
Tex Hill Middle School San Antonio, TX United States
DEC 08, 2018 - DEC 08, 2018
Mayfield High School Theatre
Las Cruces, NM United States
Mayfield High School Theatre Las Cruces, NM United States
NOV 29, 2018 - NOV 30, 2018
Waimea Canyon Middle School - Kaua'i Performing Arts Center
Lihue, HI United States
Waimea Canyon Middle School - Kaua'i Performing Arts Center Lihue, HI United States
NOV 03, 2018 - NOV 03, 2018
Colbert Heights High School Theatre
Tuscumbia, AL United States
Colbert Heights High School Theatre Tuscumbia, AL United States
OCT 31, 2018 - NOV 01, 2018
Trinity Episcopal School
Austin, TX United States
Trinity Episcopal School Austin, TX United States
OCT 29, 2018 - NOV 16, 2018
Heritage Christian Academy
Swainsboro, GA United States
Heritage Christian Academy Swainsboro, GA United States
OCT 18, 2018 - NOV 02, 2018
Beattie Middle School
Highland, CA United States
Beattie Middle School Highland, CA United States
JUN 14, 2018 - JUN 14, 2018
PS 333: Manhattan School For Children
NY, NY United States
PS 333: Manhattan School For Children NY, NY United States
JUN 14, 2018 - JUN 14, 2018
Madison Avenue Performing Arts
Spring Hill, KS United States
Madison Avenue Performing Arts Spring Hill, KS United States
MAY 25, 2018 - MAY 26, 2018
Livingston Parish Talent Theatre Program
Denham Springs, LA United States
Livingston Parish Talent Theatre Program Denham Springs, LA United States
MAY 11, 2018 - MAY 12, 2018
Behind the Seams
Elk City, OK United States
Behind the Seams Elk City, OK United States
MAY 09, 2018 - MAY 11, 2018
David Douglas High Schol
Portland, OR United States
David Douglas High Schol Portland, OR United States
APR 26, 2018 - APR 28, 2018
Silverado High School
Las Vegas, NV United States
Silverado High School Las Vegas, NV United States
MAR 15, 2018 - MAR 16, 2018
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Winston-Salem, NC United States
Thomas Jefferson Middle School Winston-Salem, NC United States
MAR 01, 2018 - MAR 01, 2018
Shadow Ridge Middle School
Flower Mound, TX United States
Shadow Ridge Middle School Flower Mound, TX United States
JAN 27, 2018 - JAN 28, 2018
Martin Luther High School
Greendale, WI United States
Martin Luther High School Greendale, WI United States
JAN 18, 2018 - JAN 29, 2018
Edison High School
Milan, OH United States
Edison High School Milan, OH United States
DEC 15, 2017 - DEC 16, 2017
Washington Middle School
Washington, MO United States
Washington Middle School Washington, MO United States
DEC 07, 2017 - DEC 07, 2017
Jefferson County Academy of Theatre and Dance
Birmingham, AL United States
Jefferson County Academy of Theatre and Dance Birmingham, AL United States
DEC 01, 2017 - DEC 20, 2017
The School for Examining Essential Questions of Sustainability
Honolulu, HI United States
The School for Examining Essential Questions of Sustainability Honolulu, HI United States
NOV 14, 2017 - NOV 27, 2017
Ewing Public School
Ewing, NE United States
Ewing Public School Ewing, NE United States
NOV 10, 2017 - NOV 18, 2017
Oconto Falls High School Drama Department
Oconto Falls, WI United States
Oconto Falls High School Drama Department Oconto Falls, WI United States
NOV 01, 2017 - NOV 04, 2017
Thomasville High School
Thomasville, AL United States
Thomasville High School Thomasville, AL United States
OCT 26, 2017 - OCT 28, 2017
Fort Zumwalt West High Theatre Department
O'Fallon, MO United States
Fort Zumwalt West High Theatre Department O'Fallon, MO United States
JUL 28, 2017 - JUL 28, 2017
Topeka Civic Theatre
Topeka, KS United States
Topeka Civic Theatre Topeka, KS United States
JUN 17, 2017 - JUN 18, 2017
Adlib Young Performers (ORiGiN Theatrical)
Berwick, VIC Australia
Adlib Young Performers (ORiGiN Theatrical) Berwick, VIC Australia
MAY 30, 2017 - JUN 30, 2017
Blue Valley High School
Overland Park, KS United States
Blue Valley High School Overland Park, KS United States
MAY 19, 2017 - MAY 19, 2017
Northwestern Middle School
Winsted, CT United States
Northwestern Middle School Winsted, CT United States
MAY 19, 2017 - MAY 20, 2017
Barrington Community Theatre
Barrington, RI United States
Barrington Community Theatre Barrington, RI United States
MAY 12, 2017 - MAY 12, 2017
Providence Extension Program
Jacksonville, FL United States
Providence Extension Program Jacksonville, FL United States
MAY 11, 2017 - MAY 11, 2017
Dyer County High School
Newbern, TN United States
Dyer County High School Newbern, TN United States
MAY 10, 2017 - MAY 11, 2017
Mount De Sales Middle School Drama
Macon, GA United States
Mount De Sales Middle School Drama Macon, GA United States
APR 27, 2017 - APR 27, 2017
City Of Palmdale/Palmdale Playhouse
Palmdale, CA United States
City Of Palmdale/Palmdale Playhouse Palmdale, CA United States
APR 27, 2017 - APR 28, 2017
Parkland Composite High School Performing Arts Department
Edson, AB Canada
Parkland Composite High School Performing Arts Department Edson, AB Canada
APR 04, 2017 - APR 04, 2017
Brickell Academy At Old Donation School
Virginia Beach, VA United States
Brickell Academy At Old Donation School Virginia Beach, VA United States
MAR 01, 2017 - MAR 18, 2017
Cary Christian School
Cary, NC United States
Cary Christian School Cary, NC United States
FEB 04, 2017 - FEB 04, 2017
Matoaca High School
Chesterfield, VA United States
Matoaca High School Chesterfield, VA United States
FEB 03, 2017 - FEB 11, 2017
Arroyo Grande High School
Arroyo Grande, CA United States
Arroyo Grande High School Arroyo Grande, CA United States
JAN 28, 2017 - FEB 04, 2017
Cromwell Wright School
Cromwell, MN United States
Cromwell Wright School Cromwell, MN United States
JAN 27, 2017 - JAN 28, 2017
Spring Grove Public School
Spring Grove, MN United States
Spring Grove Public School Spring Grove, MN United States
JAN 27, 2017 - JAN 29, 2017
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton High School
Glyndon, MN United States
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton High School Glyndon, MN United States
JAN 21, 2017 - JAN 30, 2017
Fairfield High School Speech Team
Fairfield, IA United States
Fairfield High School Speech Team Fairfield, IA United States
DEC 17, 2016 - DEC 17, 2016
Marco Antonio Firebaugh
Lynwood, CA United States
Marco Antonio Firebaugh Lynwood, CA United States
DEC 08, 2016 - DEC 22, 2016
United Learning Academy
Ann Arbor, MI United States
United Learning Academy Ann Arbor, MI United States
NOV 14, 2016 - NOV 18, 2016
N/A
Columbus, OH United States
N/A Columbus, OH United States
NOV 03, 2016 - NOV 03, 2016
Shekou International School
Shenzhen, LA China
Shekou International School Shenzhen, LA China
NOV 02, 2016 - NOV 03, 2016
Moon Valley HS Theatre
Phoenix, AZ United States
Moon Valley HS Theatre Phoenix, AZ United States
OCT 22, 2016 - OCT 22, 2016
Mozingo Center for Creative Arts
Lake St Louis, MO United States
Mozingo Center for Creative Arts Lake St Louis, MO United States
JUN 25, 2016 - JUN 25, 2016
Mountlake Terrace High School
Lincoln, NE United States
Mountlake Terrace High School Lincoln, NE United States
JUN 03, 2016 - JUN 03, 2016
Success Academy High School Of The Liberal Arts
New York, NY United States
Success Academy High School Of The Liberal Arts New York, NY United States
MAY 27, 2016 - JUN 05, 2016
Pelican Playhouse
Miami Springs, FL United States
Pelican Playhouse Miami Springs, FL United States
MAY 24, 2016 - MAY 24, 2016
Innovation Academy
Palestine, TX United States
Innovation Academy Palestine, TX United States
MAR 19, 2016 - MAR 19, 2016
Mountlake Terrace High School
Mountlake Terrace, WA United States
Mountlake Terrace High School Mountlake Terrace, WA United States
NOV 07, 2024 - NOV 07, 2024
Meridian World School
Round Rock, TX United States
Meridian World School Round Rock, TX United States
NOV 07, 2024 - NOV 23, 2024
CHEC
Sulphur Springs, TX United States
CHEC Sulphur Springs, TX United States
No professional productions.

Archival Video License

Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License to add to your order for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

This allows you to record one of your live performances for your internal archives only. This cannot be streamed.

For more information, please reach out to [email protected]

eScript Details

eScript Digital Editions cannot be printed or downloaded. They are for reading on personal computer or tablet devices (phones, iPads, Kobo, Sony, etc.) It can viewed on up to 5 individual devices.

You do not need to download any additional program to view your eScript. They will become available in your account on Playscripts.com after payment has been made. For more information on eScripts, please visit our Help page.