Fearful Symmetry eScriptAvailable

Fearful Symmetry by Alan Haehnel

(10)
Productions (109)
Drama
|
25 - 30 minutes
12 W, 4 M,  (16 actors possible: 12-16 W, 0-4 M)
Set: Minimal: four kitchen tables, four chairs, perhaps on varied levels of platforms.

Mary is anxiously attempting to finish her chores when a mysterious stranger enters the room with an enticing but frightening proposition: Push the button on this box I have. If you do so, I will give you a large sum of money. The catch? Someone -- you will not know who, and the action will never be traced to you -- will die. Four different Marys, arrayed in four different countries, deliberate over this choice with highly theatrical, simultaneous action.

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Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $55
Standard Edition $11.99
eScript Digital Edition $17.5
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $75

*The per performance fee begins at $55. 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

Mary is anxiously attempting to finish her chores when a mysterious stranger enters the room with an enticing but frightening proposition: Push the button on this box I have. If you do so, I will give you a large sum of money. The catch? Someone -- you will not know who, and the action will never be traced to you -- will die. Four different Marys, arrayed in four different countries, deliberate over this choice with highly theatrical, simultaneous action.

  • Drama
  • |
  • 25 - 30 minutes
  • 12 W, 4 M,  (16 actors possible: 12-16 W, 0-4 M)
  • Set: Minimal: four kitchen tables, four chairs, perhaps on varied levels of platforms.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-341-0

Published Reviews

"Intellectual, suspenseful, compelling, riveting..."

Paul Griffith, Vermont State Drama Festival adjudicator

Production History

MAY 03, 2025 - MAY 05, 2025
Tyngsboro Middle School
Tyngsboro, MA United States
 Tyngsboro Middle School Tyngsboro, MA United States
MAY 03, 2024 - MAY 03, 2024
Creekside Park Jr High
The Woodlands, TX United States
 Creekside Park Jr High The Woodlands, TX United States
JAN 12, 2024 - JAN 12, 2024
Francis Scott Key High School
College Park, MD United States
 Francis Scott Key High School College Park, MD United States
JAN 12, 2024 - JAN 13, 2024
Mount Pleasant High School Drama
Wilmington, DE United States
 Mount Pleasant High School Drama Wilmington, DE United States
FEB 03, 2023 - FEB 04, 2023
Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School
Sudbury, MA United States
 Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School Sudbury, MA United States
NOV 02, 2022 - NOV 03, 2022
Opal Hamilton Middle School Theater Department
Cypress, TX United States
 Opal Hamilton Middle School Theater Department Cypress, TX United States
FEB 22, 2022 - FEB 22, 2022
Dallas Center Grimes High School
Grimes, IA United States
 Dallas Center Grimes High School Grimes, IA United States
FEB 17, 2022 - FEB 19, 2022
Stuttgart High School
APO, AE United States
 Stuttgart High School APO, AE United States
NOV 19, 2020 - NOV 19, 2020
Roosevelt High School
Seattle, WA United States
 Roosevelt High School Seattle, WA United States
NOV 19, 2020 - NOV 19, 2020
Roosevelt High School
Seattle, WA United States
 Roosevelt High School Seattle, WA United States
FEB 29, 2020 - FEB 29, 2020
Braintree High School
Braintree, MA United States
 Braintree High School Braintree, MA United States
JAN 25, 2020 - JAN 25, 2020
AGWSR
Ackley, IA United States
 AGWSR Ackley, IA United States
JAN 24, 2020 - JAN 25, 2020
Berea Midpark High School Drama Club
Berea, OH United States
 Berea Midpark High School Drama Club Berea, OH United States
NOV 14, 2019 - NOV 16, 2019
The American International School Of Muscat
Muscat, Oman
 The American International School Of Muscat Muscat, Oman
OCT 24, 2019 - OCT 26, 2019
Legacy Christian Academy
Frisco, TX United States
 Legacy Christian Academy Frisco, TX United States
OCT 11, 2019 - OCT 13, 2019
Schoolhouse Arts Center
Standish, ME United States
 Schoolhouse Arts Center Standish, ME United States
MAY 11, 2019 - MAY 11, 2019
Plymouth North High School
Plymouth, MA United States
 Plymouth North High School Plymouth, MA United States
MAY 09, 2019 - MAY 10, 2019
Hugh Boyd Secondary
Richmond, BC Canada
 Hugh Boyd Secondary Richmond, BC Canada
MAR 21, 2019 - MAR 22, 2019
Hereford Theatre
PARKTON, MD United States
 Hereford Theatre PARKTON, MD United States
FEB 20, 2019 - FEB 23, 2019
Cooper Middle School
McLeav, VA United States
 Cooper Middle School McLeav, VA United States
OCT 30, 2018 - NOV 11, 2018
North Myrtle Beach High School
Little River, SC United States
 North Myrtle Beach High School Little River, SC United States
MAR 23, 2018 - MAY 05, 2018
Swift Current Comprehensive High School Cafetorium
Maple Creek, SK Canada
 Swift Current Comprehensive High School Cafetorium Maple Creek, SK Canada
JAN 29, 2018 - JAN 31, 2018
Spearfish High School
Spearfish, SD United States
 Spearfish High School Spearfish, SD United States
OCT 28, 2017 - OCT 30, 2017
Waterloo Catholic District School Board
Cambridge, ON Canada
 Waterloo Catholic District School Board Cambridge, ON Canada
MAR 19, 2017 - MAR 25, 2017
Windham Theater Group
Windham, ME United States
 Windham Theater Group Windham, ME United States
MAR 03, 2017 - MAR 11, 2017
Windham Theater Group
Windham, ME United States
 Windham Theater Group Windham, ME United States
MAY 13, 2016 - JUN 11, 2016
Permian Playhouse
Odessa, TX United States
 Permian Playhouse Odessa, TX United States
JAN 29, 2016 - JAN 30, 2016
Berean Christian High School
Walnut Creek, CA United States
 Berean Christian High School Walnut Creek, CA United States
JUN 26, 2015 - JUN 26, 2015
Palmerston North Girls' High School
Palmerston North, New Zealand
 Palmerston North Girls' High School Palmerston North, New Zealand
FEB 14, 2015 - FEB 14, 2015
Bel Air High School
Bel Air, MD United States
 Bel Air High School Bel Air, MD United States
DEC 17, 2014 - DEC 17, 2014
Canadian International School Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
 Canadian International School Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
DEC 09, 2014 - DEC 09, 2014
Badger Ridge Middle School
Verona, WI United States
 Badger Ridge Middle School Verona, WI United States
DEC 06, 2014 - DEC 06, 2014
Livingston Parish Talent Theatre Program
Denham Springs, LA United States
 Livingston Parish Talent Theatre Program Denham Springs, LA United States
NOV 03, 2014 - NOV 26, 2014
North Sargent Public School
Gwinner, ND United States
 North Sargent Public School Gwinner, ND United States
NOV 01, 2014 - NOV 01, 2014
Fort Defiance High School
Fort Defiance, VA United States
 Fort Defiance High School Fort Defiance, VA United States
OCT 25, 2014 - NOV 06, 2014
John Champe High School
Aldie, VA United States
 John Champe High School Aldie, VA United States
OCT 16, 2014 - NOV 08, 2014
White Oak High School
Jacksonville, NC United States
 White Oak High School Jacksonville, NC United States
MAY 03, 2014 - MAY 03, 2014
Oak Hill Middle School
Newton Centre, MA United States
 Oak Hill Middle School Newton Centre, MA United States
FEB 24, 2014 - FEB 27, 2014
Ursuline College Chatham
Chatham, ON Canada
 Ursuline College Chatham Chatham, ON Canada
FEB 08, 2014 - FEB 08, 2014
Langley High School
Burke, VA United States
 Langley High School Burke, VA United States
JAN 24, 2014 - FEB 01, 2014
Olympia High School
Olympia, WA United States
 Olympia High School Olympia, WA United States
JAN 17, 2014 - JAN 25, 2014
Langley High School
McLean, VA United States
 Langley High School McLean, VA United States
JAN 16, 2014 - JAN 30, 2014
Kasson Mantorville High School
Kasson, MN United States
 Kasson Mantorville High School Kasson, MN United States
NOV 23, 2013 - NOV 23, 2013
Bartram Trail High School
Jacksonville, FL United States
 Bartram Trail High School Jacksonville, FL United States
NOV 21, 2013 - NOV 22, 2013
Oak Hill Middle School
Newton, MA United States
 Oak Hill Middle School Newton, MA United States
NOV 21, 2013 - DEC 07, 2013
St. John Vianney Players
Orlando, FL United States
 St. John Vianney Players Orlando, FL United States
NOV 09, 2013 - NOV 16, 2013
Moreno Valley High School
Angel Fire, NM United States
 Moreno Valley High School Angel Fire, NM United States
JUL 01, 2013 - JUL 01, 2013
St Mary's Anglican Girls' School
Perth, WA Australia
 St Mary's Anglican Girls' School Perth, WA Australia
FEB 08, 2013 - MAR 08, 2013
Severna Park High School
Severna Park, MD United States
 Severna Park High School Severna Park, MD United States
OCT 26, 2012 - OCT 28, 2012
Red Door Theatre
Feeding Hills, MA United States
 Red Door Theatre Feeding Hills, MA United States
OCT 18, 2012 - NOV 09, 2012
Waupaca High School
Waupaca, WI United States
 Waupaca High School Waupaca, WI United States
OCT 16, 2012 - OCT 20, 2012
Uhry Theatre- Druid Hills High School
Atlanta, GA United States
 Uhry Theatre- Druid Hills High School Atlanta, GA United States
APR 18, 2012 - APR 20, 2012
Thurgood Marshall Middle School
San Diego, CA United States
 Thurgood Marshall Middle School San Diego, CA United States
DEC 02, 2011 - DEC 03, 2011
Berean Christian High School
Walnut Creek, CA United States
 Berean Christian High School Walnut Creek, CA United States
NOV 19, 2011 - NOV 19, 2011
Rural Retreat High School Drama
Rural Retreat, VA United States
 Rural Retreat High School Drama Rural Retreat, VA United States
NOV 03, 2011 - NOV 05, 2011
Rural Retreat High School Drama
Rural Retreat, VA United States
 Rural Retreat High School Drama Rural Retreat, VA United States
NOV 03, 2011 - NOV 05, 2011
Rocky River High School
Mint Hill, NC United States
 Rocky River High School Mint Hill, NC United States
NOV 03, 2011 - NOV 05, 2011
Oak Mountain High School
Birmingham, AL United States
 Oak Mountain High School Birmingham, AL United States
MAR 08, 2011 - MAR 09, 2011
Westminster Christian School
Village Of Palmetto Bay, FL United States
 Westminster Christian School Village Of Palmetto Bay, FL United States
JAN 29, 2011 - JAN 31, 2011
St. Paul Regional High School
St. Paul, AB Canada
 St. Paul Regional High School St. Paul, AB Canada
JAN 14, 2011 - JAN 14, 2011
Pearl River Central High School
Carriere, MS United States
 Pearl River Central High School Carriere, MS United States
DEC 15, 2010 - DEC 15, 2010
Logan High School Theatre
Logan, OH United States
 Logan High School Theatre Logan, OH United States
NOV 09, 2010 - DEC 03, 2010
Pearl River Central High School
Carriere, MS United States
 Pearl River Central High School Carriere, MS United States
OCT 30, 2010 - OCT 30, 2010
J.R. Tucker High School
Reston, VA United States
 J.R. Tucker High School Reston, VA United States
MAY 07, 2010 - MAY 08, 2010
St. Andrew's School
Middletown, DE United States
 St. Andrew's School Middletown, DE United States
APR 23, 2010 - APR 24, 2010
S. S. Seward Drama Club
Florida, NY United States
 S. S. Seward Drama Club Florida, NY United States
MAR 20, 2010 - MAR 20, 2010
Northeast Middle School
Charlotte, NC United States
 Northeast Middle School Charlotte, NC United States
MAR 12, 2010 - APR 17, 2010
St. Raphael Academy
South Kingstown, RI United States
 St. Raphael Academy South Kingstown, RI United States
FEB 18, 2010 - FEB 28, 2010
Maggie L. Walker Governor's School
Richmond, VA United States
 Maggie L. Walker Governor's School Richmond, VA United States
JAN 30, 2010 - JAN 30, 2010
South Lakes High School
Reston, VA United States
 South Lakes High School Reston, VA United States
JAN 15, 2010 - JAN 15, 2010
Charlotte High School
North Port, FL United States
 Charlotte High School North Port, FL United States
DEC 02, 2009 - DEC 04, 2009
Mountain View High School
Tucson, AZ United States
 Mountain View High School Tucson, AZ United States
NOV 07, 2009 - NOV 07, 2009
Richmond Hill High School
Richmond Hill, GA United States
 Richmond Hill High School Richmond Hill, GA United States
OCT 31, 2009 - OCT 31, 2009
Robert E Lee High School
Fort Defiance, VA United States
 Robert E Lee High School Fort Defiance, VA United States
OCT 28, 2009 - OCT 29, 2009
Rodgers Performance Hall
Hahira, GA United States
 Rodgers Performance Hall Hahira, GA United States
OCT 15, 2009 - OCT 17, 2009
North Myrtle Beach High School
Spartanburg, SC United States
 North Myrtle Beach High School Spartanburg, SC United States
MAY 01, 2009 - MAY 01, 2009
North Auditorium Stage
Williamsville, NY United States
 North Auditorium Stage Williamsville, NY United States
APR 25, 2009 - APR 27, 2009
CHS Theatre Department
Bismarck, ND United States
 CHS Theatre Department Bismarck, ND United States
MAR 15, 2009 - NOV 15, 2009
Raffles Girls' School (Secondary)
Singapore, Singapore
 Raffles Girls' School (Secondary) Singapore, Singapore
MAR 05, 2009 - MAR 05, 2009
Hillcrest High School
Springfield, MO United States
 Hillcrest High School Springfield, MO United States
FEB 20, 2009 - FEB 22, 2009
Hillcrest High School
Springfield, MO United States
 Hillcrest High School Springfield, MO United States
DEC 05, 2008 - DEC 05, 2008
SSYT
Launceston, TAS Australia
 SSYT Launceston, TAS Australia
MAY 02, 2008 - MAY 02, 2008
Spotswood High School
Penn Laird, VA United States
 Spotswood High School Penn Laird, VA United States
MAR 06, 2008 - MAR 08, 2008
Braintree High School
Braintree, MA United States
 Braintree High School Braintree, MA United States
MAR 01, 2008 - MAR 31, 2008
David W. Butler High School
Matthews, NC United States
 David W. Butler High School Matthews, NC United States
JAN 30, 2008 - JAN 30, 2008
Henrico High School
Richmond, VA United States
 Henrico High School Richmond, VA United States
DEC 07, 2007 - DEC 07, 2007
Henrico High School
Richmond, VA United States
 Henrico High School Richmond, VA United States
OCT 25, 2007 - OCT 26, 2007
Whitewater High School
Fayetteville, GA United States
 Whitewater High School Fayetteville, GA United States
OCT 05, 2007 - OCT 12, 2007
Wake Forest Rolesville High School
Wake Forest, NC United States
 Wake Forest Rolesville High School Wake Forest, NC United States
APR 28, 2007 - APR 28, 2007
Tyngsboro Middle School
Tyngsboro, MA United States
 Tyngsboro Middle School Tyngsboro, MA United States
APR 23, 2007 - APR 24, 2007
C.N. Haskell Middle School
Broken Arrow, OK United States
 C.N. Haskell Middle School Broken Arrow, OK United States
MAR 30, 2007 - MAR 30, 2007
St. Paul's Secondary School
Happy Valley, Hong Kong
 St. Paul's Secondary School Happy Valley, Hong Kong
MAR 01, 2007 - MAR 31, 2007
West Springfield High School
Springfield, VA United States
 West Springfield High School Springfield, VA United States
FEB 23, 2007 - FEB 24, 2007
Berean Christian High School
Walnut Creek, CA United States
 Berean Christian High School Walnut Creek, CA United States
FEB 03, 2007 - FEB 03, 2007
Annandale High School
Sauk Centre, MN United States
 Annandale High School Sauk Centre, MN United States
JAN 28, 2007 - FEB 02, 2007
Spearfish High School Theater
Spearfish, SD United States
 Spearfish High School Theater Spearfish, SD United States
JAN 20, 2007 - JAN 27, 2007
Annandale High School
Annandale, MN United States
 Annandale High School Annandale, MN United States
JAN 19, 2007 - JAN 20, 2007
Lafayette High School Drama Club
Red Lake Falls, MN United States
 Lafayette High School Drama Club Red Lake Falls, MN United States
JAN 11, 2007 - MAR 09, 2007
North Caroline High School Drama Club
Ridgely, MD United States
 North Caroline High School Drama Club Ridgely, MD United States
NOV 08, 2006 - NOV 10, 2006
Northeast Middle School
Charlotte, NC United States
 Northeast Middle School Charlotte, NC United States
OCT 30, 2006 - OCT 30, 2006
Lovejoy High School
Hampton, GA United States
 Lovejoy High School Hampton, GA United States
MAY 31, 2006 - MAY 31, 2006
Woodbine Junior High School
Toronto, ON Canada
 Woodbine Junior High School Toronto, ON Canada
APR 27, 2006 - APR 29, 2006
Elon University/Alpha Psi Omega
Elon, NC United States
 Elon University/Alpha Psi Omega Elon, NC United States
APR 21, 2006 - APR 21, 2006
Wewahitchka High School
Wewahitchka, FL United States
 Wewahitchka High School Wewahitchka, FL United States
FEB 27, 2006 - FEB 27, 2006
Anderson Collegiate And Vocational Institute
Pickering, ON Canada
 Anderson Collegiate And Vocational Institute Pickering, ON Canada
OCT 29, 2005 - NOV 04, 2005
Dinwiddie High School
Dinwiddie, VA United States
 Dinwiddie High School Dinwiddie, VA United States
OCT 21, 2005 - OCT 21, 2005
Bartram Trail High School
Jacksonville, FL United States
 Bartram Trail High School Jacksonville, FL United States
OCT 14, 2005 - OCT 14, 2005
New Hanover County Schools
Wilmington, NC United States
 New Hanover County Schools Wilmington, NC United States
FEB 01, 2004 - APR 30, 2004
St. Johnsbury Academy
St. Johnsbury, VT United States
 St. Johnsbury Academy St. Johnsbury, VT United States
MAY 03, 2025 - MAY 05, 2025
Tyngsboro Middle School
Tyngsboro, MA United States
 Tyngsboro Middle School Tyngsboro, MA United States
MAY 03, 2024 - MAY 03, 2024
Creekside Park Jr High
The Woodlands, TX United States
 Creekside Park Jr High The Woodlands, TX United States
No professional productions.

Awards (1)

2004 Vermont One Act Play Champion

Archival Video License

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eScript Details

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