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Central Processing

Play Type

Actors Required

Runing time

One Act

4

40 minutes

Synopsis

In this one-act comedy, Maya has been summoned to a government office, but because her letter was mangled by the post office, no one can tell her why she is there - and they can't let her leave. Exploring the anxiety caused by technology & privacy, while satirizing government bureaucracy, the play asks how much of our humanity can truly be automated.

Cast of Characters

(in order of appearance)

GLADYS female, the receptionist

MAYA female, the citizen

SUZY female, the supervisor

DJ non-binary, from the IT department


NOTE: The ages of these characters are very flexible. Ideally, whatever the age range, GLADYS is the oldest, MAYA and SUZY are about the same age, and DJ is the youngest. For the dialogue on page 12 referring to age ranges, the age ranges should match those of the actor. Whatever ranges are cited, a gap should be created by one year so that Mary's age is between the two groups but not in either. Typical demographic groups are: 12 – 17, 18 – 24, 25 – 34, 35 – 44, 45 – 54, 55 – 64, and 65+


Setting

The reception area.

© 2025 by Peter B. Sonenstein.

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