Here's a basic description of the play I'll be doing. I kicked around several ideas before deciding on this one. Here are some of the things I considered.
First, I wanted a play with only two or three main characters, and a limited number of secondary characters; say a total of five to eight performers. I also wanted a simple, single set.
One premise that has intrigued me in the past (and that I've used) is that whenever people are put in unusually stressful situations (the death of someone close, a relationship breaking up, a major change in living arrangement, etc.) they tend to become more open and honest with each other; in other words, they "let the mask fall". A classic example is two people--one on his or her deathbed—who have grown distant from one another. At this point in their lives, they may let go of their long-held resentments and petty complaints and see each other in a truer or more forgiving light. It's often at such time that one or both says "I love you" for the first time in years.
I played around with this in my head for a bit and came up with this idea for a play entitled Waiting For News (I wanted to just use Waiting, for it's double meaning, but found there's a movie with that name). It involves two main characters, Kimberly Whitman and Robert Paxton. These two have known each other for a while and while there has been hint of a romantic interest, nothing has ever come of it. Kimberly, in fact, is involved in a serious relationship, possibly marriage, with a guy named David Gossett.
The inciting incident (backstory) is that there's been an accident involving David and several others (I'm thinking of using a sailboat racing accident, but it could be a climbing accident or something else; it's not too important). At the start of the play Kimberly and David arrive at the search and rescue location (the setting) to wait for news. David's sister is already there. There is also an older woman there alone, and a woman with a young child. They're all there to await news of their loved ones. In addition, there's a couple of the search and rescue people who enter and exit from time to time.
In thinking of the play in terms of beginning, middle and end (not necessarily acts), the beginning is the introduction of the characters, a bit about their relationship, the state of the current situation, etc. A turning point is when they learn that the chances of David being found alive aren't good. The middle is Kimberly and Robert dealing with their private and long-suppressed feelings; they finally but awkwardly admit some of the things they've felt for each other over the years. This is made even more difficult by the presence of David's sister at times. And, with David still missing, they're afraid to make any commitment. At one point, they learn that one of the missing men has been found alive. Kimberly and Robert are even more confused; what should that do if David doesn't come back, what do they do if he does? The end of this part is when it's learned that the older woman's husband has been found death. The woman, who for the most part has been quietly listening to Kimberly and Robert, takes the news stoically. And the end is . . . well, I don't want to tell you (but hopefully it won't be hackneyed or a cliché as you might be lead to believe).
I have a couple of things to still work out. Should I try to keep it a one-act play, or a full-length play? I'm thinking it's more of a one-act play of 45 to 60 minutes. Not a favorite of theatre managers from what I understand, but I don't think I have enough for a full-length play. The other is having a enough "movement" in the play; I don't want it to be just two or three people sitting around talking the whole time. I have a couple of ideas I'm still playing with (no pun intended).
So, that's a somewhat long-winded description of what play I'll be trying to complete.
Comments and suggestions are welcome, but remember, I'm still thrashing some of the details out myself. I won't decide on all of them until I'm well into writing the story. I plan on posting parts of the play in SYW as I get a rough draft done.