Sittin’ in a Tree

Sittin’ in a Tree is a collection of short scenes and monologues about young love. The blend of comedy and drama provides a touch of nostalgia, and flexible casting allows for as few as six or as many as 23 performers. It can be performed in its entirety, or you can explore the scenes and monologues on their own. Some characters are kids, and others are teens. If performing the full play, consider the age of your actors. *One scene alludes to physical abuse, although no abuse is shown.

About the Playwright…

Ryan Vaughan is a playwright based in Cincinnati, Ohio. He first entered the theater world as an actor at age twelve. He prides himself on writing plays that give young performers opportunities to shine.

Excerpt from the Play…

THE COLLECTION:

Sadie Hawkins Dance-monologue

Is That Too Much to Ask-a monologue

Long Sleeved Dress-a scene for three actors

The Games We Play-a scene for three actors

Call Me Your Queen-a scene for three actors

Give Me All You Got-a monologue

My Guy-a monologue

Let Me Tell Ya Something-a scene for four actors

Find a Ring and Pick it Up-a monologue

Much Ado About His Boo-a scene for six actors

I Can Hear the Bells-a scene for two actors

Call Me Your Queen
A scene for 2 actors

Characters:
Gavin, Pre-Teen/Early Teen/ Male

Ivy, Pre-Teen/Early Teen/ Female
*Characters can be played by any gender.

Setting:
Present day. 2 settings/ outside of a house and a child’s fort.

Synopsis:
The world of two “friends” comes crashing in.

At Rise:
Ivy waits for Gavin outside. Ivy is obviously anxious. After a beat, Gavin enters.

GAVIN
What’s up, Ivy? It’s nine in the morning on a Saturday. And you look like crap.

IVY
Gee thanks.

GAVIN
Sorry, I’m just cranky early in the morning.

IVY
I know.

GAVIN
But seriously, what’s up?

IVY
Sit.

GAVIN
I’m fine.

IVY
Gavin, I really think you should sit.

GAVIN
(Sitting next to IVY.)
Alright, alright. You are being so weird right now.

IVY
Gav,…

GAVIN
What?

IVY
I’m moving.

GAVIN
Ok, Ivy, haha. I know you always like pulling pranks on me.

IVY
This is real Gavin. I’m sorry.

(Beat)

GAVIN
(Shocked)
When?

IVY
First thing tomorrow morning.

GAVIN
What? No! That’s not fair! I need more time. We need more time. No. When… When did you know?

IVY
(Fighting back tears)
Three weeks ago.

GAVIN
And you didn’t tell me?

IVY
I didn’t want you to be hurting that whole time.

GAVIN
Like you have been?

IVY
Yeah. Like I’ve been.

(Beat)

GAVIN
You’ve always been stronger than me.

IVY
(Smiling)
That isn’t hard.

GAVIN
Hey!

IVY
It’s the last day we have together. I can’t leave without raggin’ on you.

GAVIN
I guess. So, do you have to pack all day?

IVY
My parents are going to finish it up today. They told me to spend the day with you however we wanted. That’s why I woke you up from your beauty sleep.

GAVIN
Goodness knows I need it!

(GAVIN and IVY laugh and eventually hug.)

IVY
So, what do you wanna do?

GAVIN
I know! Let’s go to the fort!

IVY
That old, worn-down thing we found in the woods when we were like six?

GAVIN
Yeah, we had some of our first adventures there.

IVY
You know what? However childish it sounds, I’m game. Let’s go.

(GAVIN and IVY cross to another area of the stage that becomes their “fort.” Gavin motions for IVY to enter ahead of him.)

GAVIN
After you, My Queen.

IVY
(Laughing)
I forgot you used to call me that!

GAVIN
This was our world back then. We could make it whatever we wanted, and I saw you as my queen.

IVY
And you were my knight in shining armor.

GAVIN
Ok, I’ll admit it would be easier to believe you were a queen.

(They both laugh)

We used to come here with all of the neighborhood kids.

IVY
Until third grade, that’s when the others were done playing make-believe, and it was just us.

GAVIN
And by the fourth grade, you were done too.

IVY
Would you have kept coming if I wanted to?

GAVIN
In a heartbeat! That’s why I bring my little sister here now. I want to give her the magic of this place.

IVY
It is pretty special.

GAVIN
No matter what was going on, we could leave it at the door. Once we came in here, everything was fine.

IVY
This is where you came when you found out about your mom’s car accident.

GAVIN
And the first place I came when she got out of the hospital. I had to thank this place for carrying me through all that.

IVY
This is also where I sang for you the first time.

GAVIN
You were so nervous!

IVY
That didn’t matter to you, though. You were so patient.

GAVIN
You were great.

(Holding hands)

You know, two more important things happened here that I can think of.

IVY
This is where you told me you had a crush on me the first time.

GAVIN
Yeah, I was the one sweating bullets!

IVY
And it was here…

(She thinks and then crosses to a different part of the area.)

No. It was right here that you kissed me for the first time.

GAVIN
I hadn’t even planned on that, you know? Your hair was in your face, so I moved it for you. And when that sunlight shined on you, I realized that you were the most beautiful girl I’d ever met.

(GAVIN and IVY hug.)

GAVIN
We should probably be heading back.

IVY
Gav.

GAVIN
Yeah?

IVY
When you bring your sister here, are you still a knight in shining armor?

GAVIN
I am. And she’s the princess.

IVY
Princess?

GAVIN
Well, a kingdom only needs one queen, Your Highness.

(GAVIN reaches his hand out to her. She places her hand in his. He can either bow or kiss her hand.)

Now, I really think it’s time you got home, My Queen- before your parents call a search party.

IVY
Promise me one thing before we go.

GAVIN
Anything.

IVY
Always call me your queen.

END SCENE