KAPS Theatre Department

The Café

An absurd, partially improved, comedy in one act.

Written By - Michael Moore

The Cafe is a One Act play that is intended to give students an easy introduction into several theater fronts, especially if it’s their first time on stage, or doing improv. 

The Cafe is an absurdist, partially improvised comedy, in one act. It takes its cue from absurdist plays like Waiting for Gadot, No Exit, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. The play starts with three people sitting at a table in the middle of what looks like a cool warehouse coffee joint. Shortly after one of the characters leaves, to go to the bathroom, leaving the other two characters to discover they are being watched by the audience. Soon Books start coming out from stage left and right telling them to do things (this is the improvised part). Meanwhile, characters in the background are improvising scenes behind them during their normal dialogue, leaving them completely unaware. How will it end? Will it stop? Will the audience take their place? Will coffee ever be served again? Find out!