Free Excerpt from "AEROPLANE OVER THE SEA" For Two Males and One Female, for Auditions or Class Work!

Script Cover For my play, Aeroplane Over the Sea

Today at Theater is a Sport, I would like to offer a free excerpt from my play Aeroplane Over the Sea, a one act drama available from Brooklyn Publishers, for the use of auditions or drama class scene work.  Or, if you just like reading excerpts of plays, of course!

I am very fond of this play.  The title comes from a great song by Neutral Milk Hotel called In An Aeroplane Over the Sea.  I tried to write a play that would make people feel the way that song makes me feel. 

The play takes place in an Unnamed Country.  A Good Doctor from America has arrived to help people.  Unfortunately, the political climate is not very friendly toward Americans.  In particular, the Peacemaker hates all Americans.  In this scene, the Doctor has been arrested after a bombing in the streets.  He did not commit this act, but has been arrested for it.  Now, he must face the Interrogator.  The Interrogator is a pretty blond woman, who has VERY unorthodox methods of interrogation. 

If you want to read more of the play, or order it for a production, you can do so by CLICKING HERE.  If using this scene for classwork or audition purposes, please give the play and the writer (me, Bobby Keniston) credit, okay? 

So, without further ado, here's the scene:

Aeroplane Over the Sea – Page 15

 

SCENE THREE

SETTING: The Interrogation room. It is simply a room without

much light. There is a table with a chair behind it. About five feet

away from this table, there is another chair.

 

AT RISE: The DOCTOR is in the chair away from the desk. There is

a burlap bag over his head and his hands are bound. The

PEACEMAKER stands behind him with his club out. HE takes the

bag off the DOCTOR’s head. The DOCTOR gasps.

 

PEACEMAKER: Be ready, Doctor. The Chief Interrogator will be here in

a moment, and you will stand out of respect. Is that understood?

DOCTOR: Yes.

PEACEMAKER: Good. (HE calls out) The American is ready!

(PEACEMAKER roughly pulls the DOCTOR to his feet. The

INTERROGATOR enters. SHE is blonde, pretty, wearing an American-style

businesswoman suit with a skirt. SHE carries a clipboard/folder

that SHE sets on the table. SHE has a big smile as SHE faces the

DOCTOR. SHE crosses to him. When SHE speaks, SHE sounds

American, no different than the DOCTOR in syntax or accent.)

 

INTERROGATOR: The Good Doctor! Such a pleasure to meet you.

Out of respect, I will give you the highest greeting we possess in thiscountry. (SHE leans in kisses the DOCTOR’s left cheek and then his
right.) Are you comfortable, Doctor? Peacemaker, you may free his
hands. I don’t think the Doctor is going to give us any danger, are
you?

(PEACEMAKER frees the DOCTOR’s hands.)

You may sit, doctor, take a load off, as they say. You’ll pardon me if

I walk around a bit. I’ve been sitting all day.

(The PEACEMAKER pushes the DOCTOR roughly into the chair.)

Now, Peacemaker no need to be so rough. I’m sorry, Doctor, but the

poor Peacemaker has such a stressful job. I’m afraid it has madehim a bit of a sourpuss. (Playful) You are much younger than I
expected, Doctor! I’m happy to have you hear. It gives me an
opportunity to speak in a manner I became accustomed to when I
was living in America. (The DOCTOR reacts.)

Aeroplane Over the Sea – Page 16

Are you surprised? It’s true, I lived all over America… Los Angeles,

Texas, Detroit, and even some time in New York City. I’m quite fond
of America, really.

DOCTOR: (With a hint of rancor) But not Americans, I take it?

INTERROGATOR: Nothing could be further from the truth! I have
nothing but the highest respect for Americans, particularly those in
the medical field. No, Doctor, I have nothing against Americans.
After all, I once imagined I might become one. My problem is with
terrorists.

DOCTOR: Then you should have no problem with me.

INTERROGATOR: That is what we’re here to figure out. Isn’t this some

situation we find ourselves in together? Perhaps had we met when I
was in your country under different circumstances, we might have
been friends. So why don’t we try being friends now.

DOCTOR: You want to be my friend?

INTERROGATOR: At the very least, friendly acquaintances. After all, I

have job to do, and you can’t fault someone for doing their job, now
can you? Especially when the job is trying to put an end to violence
in the streets.

DOCTOR: I came here to help people.

INTERROGATOR: I have no doubt. And what more noble purpose is

there than that? (SHE leans over and points to a place on her leg)

This here, Doctor. Do you see this spot on my leg? I’ve been
wondering if I should have it looked at or not? Can you see it?Should I be concerned? (Slight pause) Don’t be shy, Doctor.
Please, do me this personal favor.
 

(The DOCTOR leans over and takes a quick look at her leg, and then

sits back up.)

DOCTOR: It looks like a freckle.

INTERROGATOR: A freckle? A simple freckle? Are you sure?

DOCTOR: I believe so. It’s impossible to say for certain in this light, but

I am fairly sure it is a simple freckle.

INTERROGATOR: What a relief! How about that, Doctor? You came

here to help people, and you’ve already helped me. You’ve
accomplished your goal. Congratulations.

DOCTOR: Don’t mention it.

INTERROGATOR: How much do I owe you? An arm and a leg? (SHE

laughs) Don’t you enjoy expressions that employ body parts for
imagery? An arm and a leg, give you ahand, have a heart, off with
his head… although, that last one is moreof a French expressionthan American, isn’t it? Off with his head. (SHE smiles) Would you

Aeroplane Over the Sea – Page 17

like a drink of water, Doctor? Perhaps some Coca-Cola? Americans

love Coca-Cola, don’t you?

DOCTOR: I’m fine, thank you.

INTERROGATOR: Such nice manners. Tell me, do I remind you of your

dead wife? She had blonde hair, didn’t she? I’ve seen her picture.
It’s right here in the file. So pretty, your dead wife. Tell me about
her.

DOCTOR: No.

INTERROGATOR: I beg your pardon?

DOCTOR: I will not discuss my wife with you.

INTERROGATOR: (playfully pouty) Oh, but why? I would love to hear

about her… what her secret was for capturing your heart!

DOCTOR: Some things belong to me, and only to me.

(The PEACEMAKER hits him open-handed across the back of the head.)

INTERROGATOR: Now, Peacemaker, let’s be civil.

PEACEMAKER: I’m sorry, Chief Interrogator.

INTERROGATOR: If the Good Doctor does not wish to tell me about his

wife, I won’t be crude enough to pry. (to the DOCTOR) I see you

can be very strong-willed. While I find that an admirable quality in a
person, it makes my job a bit more difficult.

DOCTOR: Sorry.

INTERROGATOR: (dismissive wave of the hand) No need to apologize,

Good Doctor. (slight beat) Everyone can be broken. Are you sure
you wouldn’t like a glass of water?

DOCTOR: No. Thank you.

INTERROGATOR: As you wish. (SHE looks into the folder for a

moment) You’ve worked hard all of your life, haven’t you Doctor?
Jumping from home to home growing up. It says here that you even
paid your own way through college. That is quite an achievement.

DOCTOR: I suppose.

INTERROGATOR: You worked for a construction company during your

college breaks, didn’t you? That’s not easy labor. You know how to
really work.

DOCTOR: Being a Doctor is real work.

INTERROGATOR: Of course it is, but let’s not pick nitties, Doctor. I

believe you know what I mean. I’m talking about the difference
between an educated man and unskilled labor.

DOCTOR: I would not describe my construction work as unskilled.

INTERROGATOR: No? What area of construction did you work in,

Doctor? (SHE smiles a very big smile) What skills did you develop

while working construction?
 

Aeroplane Over the Sea – Page 18

(The DOCTOR says nothing. The INTERROGATOR looks at the

PEACEMAKER and gives him a slight nod. The PEACEMAKER grabs

the DOCTOR by his hair and pulls his head back. HE takes his club and

places it across the DOCTOR’s neck, choking him. After a moment, the

INTERROGATOR holds up her hand and the PEACEMAKER stops.)

Peacemaker, what am I going to do with you? Tch, tch, tch. So

rough. How is the Doctor going to answer my questions if he can’tbreathe? (back to the DOCTOR) Let’s see here. (looking at file)
Apparently you worked with the demolition department in your
construction job. Would it be safe to say you learned a great deal
about explosives in that line of work?

DOCTOR: I was never in charge of…

 

INTERROGATOR: (cutting him off) The question was not about being in

charge. The question, good sir, was whether you learned about

explosives.

DOCTOR: Working in the demolition department taught me a small

amount about explosives in regards to their purpose with
construction sites, but…

INTERROGATOR: Thank you, Doctor. It is so much easier this way

when you cooperate, isn’t it? (beat) Did you cry when your wife

died?

(No response)

You must have. I would guess you cried buckets and buckets. Her

dying like that, leaving you all alone. Your unborn daughter dying
with her. It must have been quite a waterfall of tears, never being
able to hold your child. Did you resent the doctors who let them die?
 

DOCTOR: (fierce) Shut up.

INTERROGATOR: Or did you rage against the Universe itself? Are you
an angry man, Doctor?

DOCTOR: No. I am not.

INTERROGATOR: Not even when those you called friends

disappeared? Those same friends who always secretly wondered to
themselves after a dinner party, ‘what does she see in him? Nice
enough guy, sure, but why him? What’s his secret? How did he get
her?’

DOCTOR: My wife loved me.

INTERROGATOR: Of course. But it’s true your friends all disappeared,

isn’t it? Perhaps they couldn’t understand why it had to be her who
died and not you. Have you ever wondered that? Have you ever
wished it was you who died, Doctor?

DOCTOR: (quietly) Yes.

Aeroplane Over the Sea – Page 19

INTERROGATOR: (with faux sympathy) Perfectly natural. To blame

yourself. (beat) After such an emotional trauma, many might wish to
have revenge. Retribution. Is that why you came here? To find
your revenge?

(No response.)

I’m trying to help you.

DOCTOR: Help me how?

INTERROGATOR: Why, to help you clear your conscience of course.

To help you save your soul.

DOCTOR: From what I understand, there have been bombings here

long before I ever arrived. Some group that calls themselves the
Resistance…
 

INTERROGATOR: (snapping a little) That’s enough! (composing

herself) The idea of any “resistance” is a nothing but a fairy tale. And
it suggests, Doctor, that our people are not happy here. Suchsuggestions are not very polite. (beat) Violence in our country
comes from outsiders. And you, sir, are an outsider.

DOCTOR: I’ve done nothing wrong.

INTERROGATOR: If you say so. (SHE sighs) I suppose that is enough

for now. You will be our guest here, Doctor, until we decide your

case. I thank you for diagnosing my freckle. We’ll talk again
tomorrow. Perhaps you shall find me prettier then.
 

(SHE leans over and kisses the DOCTOR on his left cheek and then his

right cheek. SHE stands, looks at the PEACEMAKER and nods. The

PEACEMAKER puts the burlap bag back on the DOCTOR’s head.

Blackout.)  Again, you can order the play by CLICKING HERE.  I hope you enjoyed this excerpt from what I consider to be a fairy tale for older audiences.

Until next time, always be braking your legs, and remember--- theater is a sport.

FREE SCENE EXCERPT FOR 2 FEMALES from "BETTY LOU TWINKLE'S TABLOID SCANDAL"

Cover of my Script, from Brooklyn Publishers

Here's a free scene from my play Betty Lou Twinkle's Tabloid Scandal.  This play is available from Brooklyn Publishers, and can be ordered by CLICKING HERE. 

This is a scene for two actresses.  One, is Betty Lou, our heroine, a teenage girl who wants to be normal.  The other is Darlene, her mother, a VERY overbearing stage mother, who has pushed Betty Lou into show business ever since she was a contestant on "Divas in Diapers".  This is a very satirical piece, and a whole lot of fun!  Have fun reading it, and feel free to use it for audition or classwork purposes, just make sure you tell everyone the name of the play, and the author (yours truly, Bobby Keniston). 

 SCENE ONE


SETTING: Backstage of the reality show, "America’s Future One-Hit Wonders."

AT RISE: BETTY LOU TWINKLE, 15 is looking into a mirror. She doesn’t like her outfit, mainly because it doesn’t cover as much of her as she would like. She is a pretty, sweet girl, who has been pushed around by her mother all of her life. She takes her midriff-bearing shirt and pulls it down, trying to stretch it past her belly button, and finally succeeds. When she is satisfied with this, she takes a seat in front of the mirror, looks around, and then takes a photograph from her pocket and looks at it.
BETTY LOU: Oh, Catboy, I wish you were here right now. In a world like this, you’re the only normal person I know. And you’re part cat. What does that say about society?

Suddenly, DARLENE ROSEPETTLE enters. She is a force of nature. She carries a small suitcase that contains assorted makeup.
DARLENE: Who are you talking to?

BETTY LOU, startled, quickly stashes the photo in her pocket.
BETTY LOU: Hi mom!

DARLENE: Are you hiding something from me?

BETTY LOU: Of course not. I was just talking to myself in the mirror, trying to psyche myself up for tonight.

DARLENE: (After inspecting her a moment.) And just where is your belly button?

BETTY LOU: (Trying to joke.) Same place as everybody’s!

DARLENE: I see. You’re startin’ in early with the sass today. Why are you hiding your navel?

BETTY LOU: I’m not…

DARLENE: What do I always say?

BETTY LOU: Mom…

DARLENE: What do I always say?

BETTY LOU: (Sighing.) "A teenage girl’s belly button on display, helps make her a star in every way."

DARLENE: That’s right! You know how important tonight is! Once you win "America’s Future One-Hit Wonders," you can wear a sweater for all I care. (Beat.) Well, maybe for a day or two, and not in public. But if we’re going to win this competition tonight, we’ve got to give them some skin, sugar.

BETTY LOU: But it makes me uncomfortable!

DARLENE: You want to discuss discomfort? Try being in labor for four and a half hours!

BETTY LOU: I know, but…

DARLENE: No buts! Look, my little peachy-bear, we’ve made it through thirteen weeks of the show, we’re in the top two, and tonight, we are one step closer to our dream of being the most famous singer in the world!

BETTY LOU: But that’s not my dream.

DARLENE: Of course it is! I happen to remember a little girl who told me she wanted to be the biggest star who ever lived!

BETTY LOU: I was only four! And you had just asked me if I wanted to be the biggest star who ever lived.

DARLENE: Don’t you dare pretend that you haven’t wanted this, Miss Betty Lou Twinkle!

BETTY LOU: That’s not even my real name.

DARLENE: We’ve been using that name ever since you were a contestant on "Divas in Diapers"! I don’t have to tell you that people won’t want to listen to music by someone named Elizabeth Korsinski-Brattwurst. Why do you think I changed my last name to Rosepettle after your daddy did the world a favor and croaked?

BETTY LOU: But mom, I don’t want this anymore. I don’t want to be in front of the camera, I don’t want to pretend I’m happy when I’m not, I don’t want a fake name. I just want to be me. I want to have a normal life. I want to hang out with Ca… (Beat.) I want to play soccer.


There is a long pause.
 DARLENE: I should wash your mouth out with soap!

BETTY LOU: Mom…

DARLENE: You get to sing and flaunt your goods in front of millions of viewers, and you’d rather be out on some field kicking a ball around? I have worked long and hard for your career…

BETTY LOU: I know, I know. But don’t you care what I want? Doesn’t the fact that I’m your daughter mean anything?

DARLENE: Sweetie-britches, I know it’s hard for you to understand, but I’m your agent first, and your mother second. Now let’s fix your make-up, okay?

BETTY LOU: Fine.

DARLENE: That’s my little twinkly star!


DARLENE opens the suitcase which has tons of make-up. BETTY LOU sits down, and DARLENE starts applying make-up to her.
BETTY LOU: Mom? Can I ask you something?

DARLENE: Of course.

BETTY LOU: Will you still love me if I don’t win the competition tonight?

DARLENE: What a thing to say?! I know you’re going to win tonight!

BETTY LOU: Yeah, but… what if I don’t? Will you still love me?

DARLENE: Now, Betty Lou, I am shocked that you even have to ask! I am your Mother! I love you no matter what!

BETTY LOU: I’m happy to hear you say that. Thank you.

Beat.
DARLENE: It’s just that I love you even more when you win things. (BETTY LOU reacts.) Look, you can’t fault me for that. It’s human nature. People like winners. I’m allowed to be human, right?

BETTY LOU: (Tired.) Yeah.

DARLENE: That’s a good girl. Now, remember when you perform tonight, I want you to flirt with the judges.

BETTY LOU: Come on.

DARLENE: Now, none of that, missy. What have I told you since you were eight?

BETTY LOU: (By rote.) "Flirting’s never been a sin, especially when you want to win."

DARLENE: That’s right! Especially make eyes at that Tyler Ramone, maybe even sit in his lap.

BETTY LOU: I am not sitting in Tyler’s lap!

DARLENE: And just why not? He used to be one of the biggest rock star heartthrobs in the world!

BETTY LOU: 3 years ago! A lifetime in this industry! Now he looks like a long-haired piece of leather, and smells like wet cigarette butts.

DARLENE: That may be so, but he likes you. You need to take advantage of that.

BETTY LOU: He’s a creeper.

DARLENE: Honestly, Betty Lou, I’m not asking you to marry him! Or even take him to the prom! Just give him a smile and a wink or two.

BETTY LOU: Fine. But I’m not going to touch him.

DARLENE: I ask you to do one thing, one thing! Is it really so much to ask that you win this competition, so you can buy me a big house and provide for me in my autumn years? I have sacrificed my life for you, I flushed my own dreams down the toilet! Is it so much to ask that you sit in a has-been poseur’s lap?

She finishes with the make-up and storms a few steps away, sulking.
BETTY LOU: Are you saying that you’re sorry you had me?

DARLENE: (Turning to face her.) No! I’m just saying that after all I’ve given up, it shouldn’t be such a chore to let me live vicariously through you. That is the natural order of things, you know. (She turns away, in tears, her voice breaking on the following: .) I… just…just…wanted you to have…ev…everything…I… I… NEVER HAD! (She begins "sobbing" and turns away from her daughter.) Like your own bikini calendar and reality show!

BETTY LOU watches her mother’s display of "emotion" for a moment, then crosses to her and puts a hand on her back.
BETTY LOU: Don’t cry, mom. It will make your mascara run. (Beat.) I mean it, stop crying. (Beat.) I’ll do what it takes to win tonight, all right?

Immediately, DARLENE spins around with a big smile on her face.
 DARLENE: Now that’s my little deep-fried pickle! Now, you’ve got the new song I wrote for you memorized, right? It’s a guaranteed winner!

BETTY LOU: Actually, since you’ve brought it up, I wanted to talk to you about changing some of the lyrics.

DARLENE: (Immediately suspicious.) Oh?

BETTY LOU: Now don’t get upset. I’m doing what you asked me, so I think you can at least consider doing something for me.

DARLENE: (Barely concealed seething behind a smile.) And what lyrics are you having trouble with, dear?

BETTY LOU: Well, mom… it’s not that the song is bad… I just don’t think it sets a very good example for girls my age.

DARLENE: Why would you say that?

BETTY LOU: Well, for example… (Reciting.) "Come on baby, let me show my love is real, my mamma won’t mind if you cop a feel." I just don’t feel comfortable projecting that kind of image.

DARLENE: It’s a dance song! Besides, if you cut that line, the title doesn’t make sense! If a song is called "My Mamma Won’t Mind if You Cop a Feel" you’ve got to have that phrase in the lyrics somewhere, or people won’t be able to follow. And, that’s a perfect part in the song for you to give Tyler a little wink!

BETTY LOU: I don’t want to be a bad role model…

DARLENE: Sugar-bean, good role models don’t sell records. What do I always tell you?

BETTY LOU: I know, but…

DARLENE: What do I always tell you?

BETTY LOU: (Reciting.) "A good girl’s career will hit a slump, unless she learns to shake her rump."

DARLENE: Very good, my precious plum! Now that that nonsense is out of the way, I better scoot. The camera crew needs to do the pre-interview before you sing! I’ll be right out in the front row, holdin’ up my sign!

BETTY LOU: Okay.

DARLENE: Remember… eyes and teeth, eyes and teeth!

BETTY LOU: Yeah, I know.

DARLENE: Kisses! (She puckers and makes a few kissing noises in the air, then exits.)

BETTY LOU turns around to the mirror. She looks very weary and sad. Suddenly, she puts on a big smile. She is startled by how phony, yet real it looks. She goes back to looking sad, then immediately smiles again. She sighs, and returns to looking weary. She takes the photo of Catboy out of her pocket, strokes it lovingly, then replaces it in her pocket and looks in the mirror.
BETTY LOU: All right, Betty Lou. Time to go twinkle.

Blackout. End of scene.


All right!  Thanks for reading, and, if you work on it, I hope you have fun!  Just remember to give me credit, and, if you want to put the play on, you can order it through Brooklyn Publishers by CLICKING HERE!

Until next time, have fun playing, and remember:  theater is a sport! 

FREE MALE MONOLOGUE FOR AUDITION OR CLASSROOM PURPOSES

Yours truly, Bobby Keniston

Today I'm going to offer a free monologue to be used for auditions or classroom purposes.  It is a male monologue from my play, MY PROM DATE WAS A FELON, available from Brooklyn Publishers.  To read more, or order the play, you can CLICK HERE I offer this monologue here for educational purposes.  Just be sure that if you use this monologue for an audition or for the classroom, please make sure that everyone knows the title of the play and the author (yours truly, Bobby Keniston)

In this scene, NOAH, our hero, has declined his friends' invitation to tag along to the prom with them, and here, he explains why he got all dressed up to go to a fancy restaurant by himself.

NOAH: (sighs)

 

Seriously guys, I appreciate what you’re trying to do.

Really. But I don’t want to go to the prom and be a dateless wonder.

I can’t. The only reason I came here to the restaurant is because I

was sitting at home feeling sorry for myself, trying to forget it was

prom night, trying to forget that all over town, guys were picking up

their dates in limos, and that proud parents were snapping photos of

these perfect little couples all dressed to the nines. But I couldn’t

forget. All I could think about was how I would never have that prom

photo of me standing next to my high school sweetheart, because I

don’t have a high school sweetheart. That I would never have a

prom story to tell. So I put on my best pants and jacket, and the

stupid cummerbund and bowtie that I have for jazz band, and I came

out to dinner, to confront what I was missing head-on. To look at

everyone else making these memories, good or bad, that I’ll never

have. And now I’ve confronted it, so I’m just going to eat my steak

and go home. And that will be the end of my prom story. I’m sure it

will disappoint my kids if I’m ever lucky enough to have any.
(End of Monologue)


So, thanks once again, and feel free to use this monologue for classroom purposes or for auditions.  If you want to read more of the play, My Prom Date Was a Felon, CLICK HERE!  And please, I'm happy to have you use this monologue, just remember to give me and the play credit!

Until next time, enjoy, and remember--- theater is a sport.
 

 

 

 

An Example of an Actor's Resume

This Logo Made for Me by Claire Hamlin.  Note:  I'm in no way affiliated with HBO or "Game of Thrones", but I hear it is a good show.

Hi everybody, and welcome to Theater is a Sport.  Today I'm going to give you an example of an actor's resume.  I want to make it clear that there are many types of actor's resumes, and the type I'm going to show you today is geared more toward an actor with basic community theater experience who might be going to an open casting call just to see what happens, or for the senior in high school who is auditioning for acting schools and needs to bring a resume.  The more you get into the business, the more your resume will change. 

Here's an example of a resume I used recently for myself.  It is not the most glamorous resume in the world, but it will do the trick:

BOBBY KENISTON

Actor, Playwright, Theatre Educator

 

 

(207) 564----              theater.is.a.sport@gmail.com               theaterisasport.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

Height: 5' 5" Weight: 180 Hair: Brown Eyes: Hazel

SELECTED THEATRE EXPERIENCE
 THE PAJAMA GAME                                                  PREZ                                            LAKEWOOD THEATER

THE REPROGRAMMING OF JEREMY                     HANK                                      LIGHT BABY PRODUCTIONS


ONCE UPON A MATTRESS                                        DAUNTLESS                              LAKEWOOD THEATER


I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT
NOW CHANGE                                                            MAN 1                                          LAKEWOOD THEATER


ALMOST, MAINE                                                        VARIOUS                                      CENTER THEATRE

GODSPELL                                                                 JESUS CHRIST                              CENTER THEATRE

DRACULA                                                                   DR. SEWARD                                LAKEWOOD THEATER

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS                                    SEYMOUR                                     CENTER THEATRE

SCROOGE AND MARLEY                                          JACOB MARLEY                          CENTER THEATRE

CURTAINS                                                                   Lt. FRANK CIOFFI                       LAKEWOOD THEATER

THE PRODUCERS                                                      LEO BLOOM                                 LAKEWOOD THEATER

INCORRUPTIBLE                                                       JACK                                               LAKEWOOD THEATER

FAME!                                                                         SCHLOMO                                  WATERVILLE OPERA HOUSE

THE BALTIMORE WALTZ                                          THE THIRD MAN                           BENNINGTON COLLEGE
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Bobby Keniston is an actor, playwright, director, and theatre educator currently living in Dover-Foxcroft, ME. After studying at Boston University's School For the Arts, Bobby completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Bennington College, with majors in Theatre and Literature. Since then, Bobby has appeared in over 50 plays, ranging from children's theatre, musicals, dramas, comedies and even a farce or two. As a playwright, Bobby has 24 plays published with three different houses, all for the youth and community theater markets (list available upon request). He also won an award for Best Emerging Playwright at the New England Regional Festival of community theatres, sponsored by the NETC. He currently teaches drama at Foxcroft Academy. Full list of publications and acting credits available upon request.
SKILLS
Singer with a vocal range of Tenor I or 2, basic knowledge of piano, ukulele, and trumpet. Skilled with various dialects, including Standard British, Cockney, Coastal Maine, Boston, American Southern, and Irish. Responds well to choreography.


Okay, so there you have it.  As you can see, this is not like your typical headshot/resume that you may see all over the place.  For starters, instead of a headshot, I have included a small headshot picture right on the resume.  Why?  Well, I'm not pursuing a huge career as a professional , just the occasional open casting call at an Equity house.  I'm not in the union, and I do far too much community theater to give up, so I probably won't be in a union any time soon (unless something beautiful falls in my lap and I can do this full-time), so there's really no need for me to spend a ton of money on really professional headshots and resumes.  If I were trying to make a go as a professional actor right now, I surely would make the investment, and be sending my headshot and resume all over the place, but that's not the case. 

Another difference between this resume and others---  I opted to write a brief biographical sketch in the section that most people reserve for Education.  Why?  Well, it has been a long time since I was a student of acting, and, instead of pursuing professional jobs in the business right out of school, my life took me on other paths.  Hence, it might seem funny to a casting director to see I was a graduate of Bennington College in 2000 with a degree in Theater, but have no professional credits on my resume.  That is why a brief biographical sketch, I think, is better way for me to go.  It explains where my life has taken me, and somewhat shows that I am ready to finally be stepping up.  It also notates that I have still been working hard in the business in other aspects, just outside of "professional".  If you are a student applying to an acting school, use this space for Education--- I do not recommend a biographical sketch at this point for you.  And, under Education, list your high school, of course, and any kind of summer acting programs or special classes in scene study or acting technique you might have studied, as well as the teacher's name who taught you.  For example:

SUMMER SHAKESPEARE WORKSHOP,  Bobby Keniston, instructor

For someone who has done a lot of community theatre work over the years, and is trying their shot at an open casting call for an Equity House, my example is a way to have a resume that will work, and not cost you a lot of money.

Note:  be honest in your special skills, and mention things that might come in handy on stage, or just really interesting skills that you have that might get attention.  Also, make sure your resume is not longer than one page.  Seriously. 

Hope you all have found this helpful!

Happy auditioning, and remember--- theater is a sport!