Ghost Bride

Read the Play (minus the ending)

by: Ron Schaefer

Based on a North American Folktale

6F / 5M + Other Villagers

Approximate Playing time:  90 Minutes

Whaler has his eye on the Chieftain’s beautiful daughter, Glowing Ember. But the Chieftain, Standing Tree, whose wife has passed away, declares Glowing Ember will never marry but spend her life caring for his needs.  Whaler’s father, Wolfheart, the village medicine man, believes there is some mistake and intervenes on his son’s behalf. A dispute arises between the two men and Wolfheart calls on the spirits to punish Standing Tree. Soon a contingent of Islanders from across the mist arrive by canoe with their handsome prince, Gleaming Arrow, bearing gifts in exchange for Glowing Ember’s hand in marriage. With his eyes full of greed, Standing Tree agrees not knowing he is wedding his daughter into a village of the dead. It is both frightening and intriguing as Glowing Ember adjusts to living among the dead who only come to life at night.  When she becomes pregnant, she is forced to leave Gleaming Arrow whom she dearly loves and return to her village so that her son can live— if only the baby can survive 12 days confined to a cedar bark cradle.  This compelling tale will haunt your audiences with fantastical images that challenge our beliefs in this world, the magic of a Shaman and the uncertainties of the afterlife. $20 Single Use Copyright Fee plus $60 Royalty per Performance for Amateur Theatre.  Professional Theatre Royalties Calculated on Application.