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A Stage Play in Three Acts
Production Notes
Although Hypatia's is story is epic history, this play is
written for nine performers without any requirements for dual-casting or bit players. The
action is confined to three playing areas, which represent four different
locales, with the addition of some scenes played front center stage to the audience.
Even if the play is mounted in limited space, the stage can be used as three small playing
areas to represent different locales. In the script action, these are CENTER STAGE, STAGE
LEFT, and STAGE RIGHT, although
in larger spaces these might be separate modules.
Sets can be minimalist or even black-box, except for the suggestions of table or bed and a
few props, as noted in the action. The audience should have no difficulty identifying
locales from the characters and
context of the scenes.
Here are some notes for production designers who want to create fully dressed sets: CENTER
STAGE, the main playing area, supports two of them--the MEETING PLACE and HYPATIA'S
QUARTERS, which consist of
a COMMON ROOM and a BEDCHAMBER.
STAGE RIGHT is Cyril's MONASTERY, including his office and an adjoining monastic cell.
STAGE LEFT is the Roman military GARRISON, which houses the office of Orestes.
For dramatic effect as well as for economy of production, the scenes in the LECTURE HALL,
the THEATER, and the CITY GATES are played FRONT CENTER STAGE, directly to the audience
(the populace of Alexandria).
Crowd reactions in these scenes are indicated in the script as sound-effect cues.
All transitions are indicated as lighting cues. A sound system is also required, although
it can be operated manually, since the effects are not so complex as to need an automated
board.
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Gerald Everett Jones
Writer-Producer 
