Coming of Age Plays: Growing Up & Rite of Passage
In these coming of age plays, a character, usually a teenager, experiences an event or series of events that bring a new maturity. See also:
Plays About Growing Up or Coming of Age
Crumbs from the Table of Joy by Lynn Nottage
Godfrey Crumps’s wife has died. He was helped over his grief by a blessing through the mail from Father Divine. Wanting to be near Father Divine’s Peace Mission, Godfrey moved to Brooklyn along with his daughters, Ernestine and Ermina, seventeen and fifteen, respectively. Soon, the family is joined by their aunt Lily, who has a strong sense of individuality. After a while, Godfrey remarries.
The first few scenes of this play can be read in the preview of Crumbs from the Table of Joy and Other Plays.
Brighton Beach Memoirs by Neil Simon (2 Acts)
Eugene is a fourteen-year-old who wants to be a pro baseball player or a writer. His father works two jobs to support his immediate and extended family–Eugene’s aunt and two cousins also live with them. His beautiful sixteen-year-old cousin Nora has been offered a dancing job. His older brother Stanley is having problems at work. Bringing enough money into the household is a major concern.
The Heidi Chronicles by Wendy Wasserstein (2 Acts)
The scenes cover notable incidents in Heidi’s life from sixteen to forty. It includes her romantic relationships, involvement in women’s groups, friends, education, and career as an art historian.
The Ghost Sonata by August Strindberg (3 Acts)
A poor student, Arkenholz, spends the night helping the people in a house collapse. After, he talks to the Milkmaid, whom no one else can see. He then meets The Old Man, who recognizes him and knew the Student’s father. They have differing stories on his history. The Student has admired a beautiful building where the Girl lives and wants to live a prosperous life in a building like it. The Old Man agrees to help leverage his heroism into wealth and success.
I’ll keep adding plays about growing up or coming of age as I find more.