College: a time of freedom, of frivolity, of friskiness. Freshmen Lulu and Marianne test their limits as they party through the school year in search of their place in the world: Marianne is newly eighteen and navigating her parents’ recent divorce, while Lulu tries to reignite a spark with her high school sweetheart. But when their drama-nerd-roommate Harriet brings in baggage from a student production of All’s Well That Ends Well, ideas of consent and manipulation start to seep into their lives.
Seattle favorite Keiko Green brings her sharp provocation and biting humor to a new play that puts contemporary discussions in direct conversation with one of the most problematic devices in Shakespeare. In the grand tradition of the problem plays, The Bed Trick has no answers, but will have you pondering the questions long after you leave the theatre.
Audiences should be advised that this production includes mild language, frank discussions of sex and consent, and implied nudity. We recommend audience members be aged 14 and up. If you have any further questions, please email us, and we’ll be happy to provide additional information.
Run time is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, including a 15 minute intermission.
Meet the Cast
Keiko Green is a playwright, screenwriter, and performer based in Los Angeles and Seattle. She is a Core Company Member at ACT, the 2023 Resident Playwright at Orange County’s Chance Theatre, and previously part of Seattle Repertory Theatre’s Writers Group and Theatre Mu’s New Play Incubator. As an actor, she has performed at Seattle Shakespeare Company in Othello, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, All’s Well That Ends Well, Bring Down the House Pts 1 & 2, as well as Love’s Labours Lost and Much Ado About Nothing with Wooden O. As a playwright, her plays have been developed/produced by the O’Neill National Playwrights Conference, the Old Globe, the Kennedy Center, the National New Play Network, Playwrights Realm, Ensemble Studio Theatre, and Atlantic Theatre Company. Seattle productions include: Hometown Boy (Seattle Public Theater), a virtual production of Wad (ACT), and Nadeshiko (Sound Theatre Company) — which received the Gregory Award for Outstanding New Play. She is currently working on commissions from MTC/Sloan Foundation, the Old Globe, and Seattle Shakespeare Company. As a screenwriter, she wrote on Hulu’s upcoming Interior Chinatown and is developing a sci-fi thriller with Hillman Grad. BFA: NYU Drama – Experimental Theatre Wing, MFA: UCSD Playwriting.
The Bed Trick is directed by Seattle Shakespeare’s Interim Artistic Director Makaela Milburn (WO Cymbeline, She Stoops to Conquer, Tartuffe, WO 12th Night) and was commissioned from familiar friend and extraordinary playwright Keiko Green. Joining them on the production team are:
Parmida Ziaei (Scenic Designer)
Andi Alhadeff (Costume Designer)
Andrew Smith (Lighting Designer)
Evan Mosher (Sound Designer)
Robin Macartney (Props Designer)
Sarah Harlett (Intimacy Director)
Alexander Winterly (Scenic Assistant)
Anamaria Guerzon (Playwright Observer)
Juniper Friday (First Hand/Stitcher)
Masks are required at the following performances:
- Thursday, March 21 at 7:30 PM
- Saturday, March 23 at 7:30 PM
- Saturday, March 30 at 2:00 PM
- Friday, April 5 at 7:30 PM
Snacks & Facts (pre-show discussions):
- Thursday, March 28 at 6:30 PM
- Saturday, March 30 at 1:00 PM
Talkbacks (post-show discussions):
- Sunday, March 24 following the 2:00 PM show
- Sunday, March 31 following the 2:00 PM show
Learn more about seeing the show accessibly and safely here.
Seattle Times: 5 most intriguing shows you’ll find on Seattle’s stages in March
Folger Shakespeare Library: What’s onstage at Shakespeare theaters in March
Sound on Stage: Behind the Curtain – The Bed Trick
Seattle Times: Playwright and Performer Keiko Green Lights Up Seattle Stages
Eager to learn more about The Bed Trick? Here are some conversations and articles to help you dig into this exciting new play.
How to: Write a New Classic – Keiko Green discusses the steps between performing in All’s Well That Ends Well and writing a new play in conversation with that most troublesome plot device!
What is a bed trick? – A deep dive into the origin and Shakespearean history of the bed trick. Where did it come from? Why is it so intriguing?
Consent in Conversation – Intimacy director Sarah Harlett and Youth & Engagement Manager Anna Klein discuss the growing field of theatrical consent and the entwining of professional and educational practices.
Keiko on Stage
Playwright Keiko Green appeared on the Seattle Shakespeare stage many times before she turned her focus to playwrighting. Did you catch her in any of these shows?