Fire in a Dark House
Genre: Historical Family Drama
Format: Live In-Person Performance
Keywords: World War I, immigration, American identity, family loyalty, nationalism, coming of age, moral courage, first love
Cast Size: 7 (4 male, 3 female)
Duration: Approximately 85 minutes
Time Period: 1918
Cautions: Some strong language; an allusion to sexual assault, xenophobic anti-German slurs
Set in the summer of 1918, Fire in a Dark House follows a German immigrant family on a Midwestern farm as World War I fuels fear and suspicion in their small town. As anti-German hysteria escalates, the family struggles to protect one another while navigating divided loyalties and rising danger.
At the center is Rose, a teenage girl desperate to escape a life shaped by duty and silence. As her dreams of love and freedom collide with public pressure and private sacrifice, the family is pushed toward a reckoning that reveals the true cost of fear.
A powerful historical family drama, Fire in a Dark House explores immigration, American identity, and moral courage in a moment when fear turns neighbors into threats.
How We Price
Our pricing is simple and transparent. Each play includes two parts: a one-time script fee of $150, which grants you immediate access to the play and permission to copy and share it within your program; and a performance license of $65 per performance, which covers your live productions for the selected license duration.
How You License
At checkout, select your license duration (for example, the current or next school year) and the number of performances you plan to give. Each license covers live, in-person performances.
What You Get
You’ll receive an instant download of the following:
- the full script
- lesson plan set
- Author Insights article
During your license period, you’re free to copy, print, and share the script within your school or theatre program for rehearsal and performance use—no per-script fees or copy limits.
Praise for This Play
“Flows from sweetness to darkness in the blink of an eye. The characters are bold and the performances are really beautiful. . . There are strong threads of lyrical and magical realism, which I loved, used to brilliant effect. . .It’s touching and funny and tragic. I loved it." – Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros, NoHoArtsDistrict.com
“A powerful tale of injustice…thoughtful yet intense, poignant and timely, Fire in a Dark House considers what freedom, justice, loyalty and love really mean when confronted with propaganda, falsehoods and nationalism.” – Mary Mallory, Tolucan Times
“Fire in a Dark House is a well-crafted play… the playwrights have embellished their story with lovely poetic elements . . .a smooth interweaving of patriotism, women’s rights, ethnic identity, and an ill-fated romance.” – Iris Mann, StageRaw
"Writers Traci Mariano and Mona Z. Smith do a fantastic job in conveying the ugliness and reality of how war affects people and what people will do to stand up against the enemy.” – Mary E. Montoro, All About the Stage
Audience Response to This Play
"This impeccably written and performed play really packs a punch. Illuminating, thought-provoking, and timely, this is a story that will stay with you long after the final scene!"
“I saw Fire in A Dark House last night and have not stopped thinking about it … one of the most thought-provoking plays I have ever seen.”
“What an amazing and powerful story ... It was so different and intriguing that it pulled me in, from the very start ... Plus, it was so timely with so many emotions; I wanted to see more! The writing was flawless.”
"A complete immersion into the life of an immigrant family, women’s rights (or lack thereof) and the sacrifices of freedom for freedom. I actually felt like I was part of the play at one point. ... I have a newfound empathy for what life was like then. A powerful story."
"A beautifully written play about a painful time in our history. Although it takes place in 1918, it resonates with what is happening in our world today. This is a powerful play. Highly recommended.”
“This compelling play emerges at a time in history when we are given another chance to choose differently, to choose wisely and humanely, to rewrite our future, turning from tribalism to inclusion, honoring the courageous spirit of those who came here full of hope and determination, following their vision for a better life … A poignant reminder of the fragility of freedom for all and the vigilance required to maintain a humane society. Bravo!"