HOW TO ORDER A READING COPY OF YARD WARS

Send me an email with the following information. Please provide ALL information requested below.

1. Your full name and your organization (theater company, school or other group). If you are a high school or college student, please include your teacher/professor's name.

2. A snail mail address and phone number for your organization.

3. When and where the production would be, and the number of performances.

4. When do you expect to make a decision about using my play?

5. Can you receive attachments as PDF files? (It's a free download--link below.) A non-printable PDF reading copy is free. If you can't read PDF files, I can mail you a copy of the play ($8 fee includes copying and postage). Email me for a mailing address to which to send your check.

6. Please tell me how you found me and my work (I'm listed on certain websites, and it's always good to know, for both them and me, whether they're effective).

7. A statement that you understand that production of my work requires the payment of a royalty. See the note about royalties on the Plays for Production page.

Westley Thornton performs at the Secret Rose Theatre in North Hollywood (CA).

ABOUT THE PLAY

Comedy. 1 male. 65-75 minutes. Suggested set. Ideal for college (and possible a very talented high school actor) and up, and perfect as a late-night show.

Workshopped at UCLA's Theatrefest and a semifinalist in the Chesterfield Writer's Film Project, it premiered at the Secret Rose Theatre's ACTober Fest in North Hollywood (CA).

SYNOPSIS
The Wrestler has just been power-bombed on his head. He most likely has a concussion, but has luckily avoided paralysis or life-threatening injury. But the concussion sparks a crisis: is it worth it to continue wrestling? He goes back through his wrestling career, beginning when his friend Jimmy Double T got him to start a wrestling federation in Jimmy’s backyard—just for fun--using old mattresses and hiding it from Jimmy’s mother. He remembers creating his character, their first matches, the arrival of fans and new wrestlers—and he begins to see where it all began to spiral out of control, with the fans demanding crazier, more violent matches and him liking the attention. Not only does he like that attention, but he can feel himself getting hooked on it. He’s at the height of his popularity, but is he still wrestling for the right reasons?

Thornton as Jimmy Talatifierre in the Secret Rose production.

A CUTTING FROM THE YARD

Read the opening of YARD WARS as a PDF file using the free Adobe Acrobat reader.