Marianas Trench (Part One of The Second World Trilogy)

by Scott Sickles

[FULL LENGTH • SCIENCE FICTION]
2019 O'NEILL FINALIST

2F/6M (3M roles are East Asian/Korean)
The first piece in a science fiction trilogy that follows a love story between two men from when they're 11-year-old pen pals until the end of the world nearly 50 years later.

Teddy Passanante and Anzor Khasanov are eleven-year-old pen pals. Teddy is a half-Korean nerd enduring constant prejudice despite living in a...

[FULL LENGTH • SCIENCE FICTION]
2019 O'NEILL FINALIST

2F/6M (3M roles are East Asian/Korean)
The first piece in a science fiction trilogy that follows a love story between two men from when they're 11-year-old pen pals until the end of the world nearly 50 years later.

Teddy Passanante and Anzor Khasanov are eleven-year-old pen pals. Teddy is a half-Korean nerd enduring constant prejudice despite living in a liberal U.S. made up of what used to be Blue States. Anzor is the child of Muslim refugees trapped in a militant right-wing Christian theocracy that used to be the Red States. The boys know their correspondence is being monitored by Anzor’s government. This is a love story.

Developmental readings at Portland Stage's Little Festival of the Unexpected and the Road Theatre Company's Summer Playwrights Festival.
Workshop production in 2024 by Leviathan Lab in New York City. (Not an official world premiere.)

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Marianas Trench (Part One of The Second World Trilogy)

Recommended by

  • Judd Lear Silverman: Marianas Trench (Part One of The Second World Trilogy) by Scott Sickles
    “

    As always, lovely, sensitive writing about characters you come to love who find themselves in a bind and yearn for change. The two young male characters draw you in as you wish for a better word for them and for the rest of us.

    As always, lovely, sensitive writing about characters you come to love who find themselves in a bind and yearn for change. The two young male characters draw you in as you wish for a better word for them and for the rest of us.

    ”
  • Nora Louise Syran: Marianas Trench (Part One of The Second World Trilogy) by Scott Sickles
    “

    Like Bradbury, Atwood and Orwell, Sickles puts his prophetic pen to what ails us. A powerful piece. Stop reading these words and read his.

    Like Bradbury, Atwood and Orwell, Sickles puts his prophetic pen to what ails us. A powerful piece. Stop reading these words and read his.

    ”
  • Doug DeVita: Marianas Trench (Part One of The Second World Trilogy) by Scott Sickles
    “

    A work of aching beauty — timeless and timely, terrifying and heartbreaking, yet full of hope and humanity.

    A work of aching beauty — timeless and timely, terrifying and heartbreaking, yet full of hope and humanity.

    ”
View all 59 recommendations

Development History

  • Reading, Leviathan Lab, 2023
  • Reading, Mixed Asian Media Fest, 2022
  • Reading, Portland Stage, 2020
  • Reading, Elephant Room Productions, 2018

Production History

  • Workshop, Leviathan Lab, 2024

Awards

  • The Crossroads Project: Diverse Voices Playwriting Initiative Award
    Illinois State University
    Finalist
    2020
  • New Works Festival 2020
    Garry Marshall Theatre
    Semi-Finalist
    2020
  • 2020-2021 In-Progress New Play Reading Series
    Unicorn Theatre
    Finalist
    2020
  • Mario Fratti-Fred Newman Political Playwriting Contest
    Castillo Theatre
    Finalist
    2019
  • ScreenCraft Stage Play Competition
    ScreenCraft
    2018
  • New American Voices Reading Series
    The Landing Theatre Company
    Semi-Finalist
    2018
  • Panndora's Box Annual Festival of New Works
    Panndora Productions
    Honorable Mention
    2018