New Award-Winning Full-Length Children's Comedy for a Large Cast: The Underground Adventures of a Carrot and Potato

Super excited to share my new play, a full-length children’s comedy for a large cast, THE UNDERGROUND ADVENTURES OF A CARROT AND POTATO.

The whimsical play follows an unlikely friendship between a dancing carrot and a groove-loving potato, whose underground world is turned upside down when they challenge the rigid expectations of their soil-bound society. [Get the play here!]

I was so honored and thrilled that THE UNDERGROUND ADVENTURES OF A CARROT AND POTATO won East Valley Children’s Theatre’s (EVCT) 2024 annual playwriting competition; in fact, their contest announcement inspired me to write the play! They were looking for a play 60-90 minutes in length with a cast of at least 18, and while I had written children’s plays before (check out some children’s plays here!), I had never written one of that length with that size cast! I loved the challenge though and had a blast making each character have its own unique voice and moments to shine. The roles are for any gender (they’re mostly vegetable characters!), and range in size, giving opportunities for older experienced actors, as well as actors starting out, and lots in between. [Complete list of characters here]

I loved the Carrot & Potato shirts (pictured with the inventive Board President), the gorgeous Mesa Arts Center, a backstage tour with the stage manager, chatting with the cast and crew, and adored the whole cast!

This February, EVCT produced the premiere production of THE UNDERGROUND ADVENTURES OF A CARROT AND POTATO, directed by Taylor Stroupe. They graciously had me out to their lovely state, Arizona (theater aside, I enjoyed exploring the desert botanicals, petroglyphs, a 200,000 sq ft musical instrument museum, art in Phoenix, Sedona’s scenery, Scottsdale’s shops, delicious food and even a play one of my friends was in.). I was fortunate enough to see the EVCT production a few times, do a fun Q & A with their amazing cast and crew, and get to know their awesome board over dinner. This theater is a gem and its team, leadership and kids/teens are a true force! If you’re local to the Phoenix area, check out the amazing work they’re doing on stage at the Mesa Arts Center and in classrooms (and look at this cool educational and fun toolkit for kids about The Underground Adventures of a Carrot and Potato! Such a nice touch to offer students and families). The talent of the kids and teens was so impressive! The actors made each character their own, bringing humor and heart to the play (not to mention their incredible drive, energy and excitement). I was blown away by their performances!

An eye-catching and informative display for the children, set up in the lobby of the theater! Vegetable themed concessions, as well as “technical magic,” “meet the playwright” and “costume and makeup” info for kids.

The entire production at EVCT was outstanding! Every detail, large or small, was so well thought-out and specific—from the carrot-style hair, whimsical sound, lighting design and set, to the vegetable-themed concessions, inventive choreography and costumes—and tons more! Taylor’s direction was lively and thoughtful and the cast and crew were truly amazing. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful theater premiere my play.

Taylor was so kind to share how she took on the directing job. She was sent the script and asked to direct it, but was upfront with the Artistic Director that she didn’t think she had time for the project. She looked at the script anyway and, not even halfway through the play, she messaged the theater and said she had to direct the show! (heart melting…!) I’m so glad she did because she brought such amazing vision to the production.

Now you have a chance to check out this play and put your unique touch on a production! How would you costume an adorable baby beet? How would you bring to life an off-stage looming dog? Would you add interstitial music and movement? This is a BLAST to bring to life, with so much room for creativity and flexibility.

Interested? Here are the details!

SUMMARY

Vegetables are only supposed to do two things: grow where they’re planted and keep to their own kind. But when a dancing carrot meets a groove-loving potato, their new forbidden friendship inspires them to embark on a quest to change the rules of their stodgy garden society. Their journey won’t be easy, of course, but luckily, our duo is joined by a ragtag team of vegetables with their own reasons to shake up the norm. Along the way, they'll have to work together to overcome some hungry bugs who are out to eat them, a dog that plays a bit too rough, and a pesky band of angry carrots who are determined to stop them from shaking up their garden world.

DETAILS

Cast: 16-18+ performers—any gender. Minimum of 16 performers (with doubling). 18 with no doubling. 19+ with ensemble roles (this ensemble has group speaking lines)

Age range of performers: Most of the larger roles are great for middle school and older, however some roles may be suitable for strong younger actors, and ensemble roles are suitable for any age. Roles are also suitable for college aged students or adults, who are performing for TYA.

Range of roles: CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED CASTING AND CHARACTER BREAKDOWN Roles vary from lead, supporting, featured and ensemble, giving wonderful opportunies for each performer to shine, whatever their experience, desire, age or level.

Genre: Comedy, Children’s Theater, TYA, Theater for Young Audiences, allegory, funny, sweet

Running Time: Around 1 hour 20 minutes

Setting: outdoors, in the soil, vegetable gardens, tulip garden

Time Period: Present

Themes: friendship, confronting prejudice, working together, helping each other, pursing interests even if it is not what is expected of you, sacrificing for others, being brave, the importance of relying on others (not only yourself), making positive differences in the world, having fun and joy