Self Defense, or death of some salesmen

Self Defense, or death of some salesmen by Carson Kreitzer

(3)
Productions (17)
Drama
|
95 - 100 minutes
5 W, 3 M,  (8-24 actors possible: 5-14 W, 3-10 M)
Content Notes: Adult language and content
Set: Flexible unit set; televisions needed for projection

Seven white men have been found dead along I-95 in Florida. A prostitute is arrested and charged with their murders. The police say she's a serial killer. She claims seven separate acts of self-defense. Inspired by the true story of Aileen Wuornos, Self Defense, or death of some salesmen is a whirlwind seven acts in 95 minutes. The play is fast and furious, shocking and funny, and at its center, a portrait of a very complicated human being. She is complex, charismatic, dangerous, damaged, full of love and anger; above all else, she is alive. An investigation of capital punishment, destitution, violence against (and by) women, and whether a prostitute is considered a person under our justice system, Self Defense gives a long, hard look at an America most of us don't want to admit exists.

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
Stage Manager Edition $24.99

*The per performance fee begins at $85. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.

Play Details

Seven white men have been found dead along I-95 in Florida. A prostitute is arrested and charged with their murders. The police say she's a serial killer. She claims seven separate acts of self-defense. Inspired by the true story of Aileen Wuornos, Self Defense, or death of some salesmen is a whirlwind seven acts in 95 minutes. The play is fast and furious, shocking and funny, and at its center, a portrait of a very complicated human being. She is complex, charismatic, dangerous, damaged, full of love and anger; above all else, she is alive. An investigation of capital punishment, destitution, violence against (and by) women, and whether a prostitute is considered a person under our justice system, Self Defense gives a long, hard look at an America most of us don't want to admit exists.

  • Drama
  • |
  • 95 - 100 minutes
  • 5 W, 3 M,  (8-24 actors possible: 5-14 W, 3-10 M)
  • Content Notes: Adult language and content
  • Set: Flexible unit set; televisions needed for projection

Published Reviews

"Stunning and compelling...raw and bold, brutal and ironic, and full of nagging questions. Whereas the film Monster dealt with the more sensational aspects of Wuornos' Florida killing spree, Self Defense...lashes out at the twisted society that turned her trial into simply another media-driven circus."

Ed Kaufman, The Hollywood Reporter

"The West Coast premiere of Carson Kreitzer's 2001 fantasia about executed murderer Aileen Wuornos is stunning, true political theater with a visceral punch. Self Defense, which concludes Kreitzer's 'Women Who Kill' triptych, pulls no punches. Its narrative rails at the skewered society that (inaccurately) dubbed Wuornos 'America's first female serial killer.' The media-driven voyeurism obscured arguments of self-defense raised by an unspeakably abused, profoundly damaged hooker; also, that slayings of prostitutes abated during Wuornos' Florida killing spree. Kreitzer finds pertinent substance within her concentrated didactic sights. The post-feminist volleys carry the courage of Kreitzer's convictions about the convict who motivated them, and land with uncanny artistic aim...

Some observers may find that the emphasis on Wuornos vs. America's double standards on rape and prostitution relegates her seven victims to clinical gristle. Yet Self Defense never trivializes the murders, or excuses Wuornos for pulling the trigger. The scorching issues raised by Self Defense defy simple response, but the airtight forces voicing them here are no less complex in their excellence."

David C. Nichols, Los Angeles Times

"Like a playful documentary filmmaker, Kreitzer treads along various genres: police story, courtroom drama, confessional monologue, and feminist tract... Kreitzer's smart, gritty script whips between locations, interlacing scenes and providing multiple perspectives."

David Cale, Time Out New York

"Whatever the facts of the case...the play is striking on its own terms...gives audiences an absorbing drama, not a harangue, and also, by presenting the human side, calls attention to a case that illustrates the barbarity of capital punishment and the unfair way in which the system works."

William Wolf, Wolf Entertainment Guide

"The play moves like lightning, cutting through a series of brief scenes that illuminate the story in puzzle-piece fashion...smart and surprisingly funny... Insightful, engaging, witty, earnest...Self Defense is socially-conscious drama at its best."

Brooke Pierce, TheaterMania

Production History

MAY 31, 2023 - JUN 07, 2023
Stella Adler Studio of Acting
New York, NY United States
Stella Adler Studio of Acting New York, NY United States
APR 22, 2021 - APR 24, 2021
LACC
Los Angeles, CA United States
LACC Los Angeles, CA United States
OCT 21, 2016 - OCT 30, 2016
University Of Utah, Department Of Theatre
Salt Lake City, UT United States
University Of Utah, Department Of Theatre Salt Lake City, UT United States
SEP 26, 2016 - SEP 26, 2016
No Stakes Theater Project
Chicago, IL United States
No Stakes Theater Project Chicago, IL United States
DEC 05, 2014 - DEC 06, 2014
Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, CA United States
Los Angeles City College Los Angeles, CA United States
JUL 05, 2013 - JUL 27, 2013
Convergence-Continuum
Cleveland, OH United States
Convergence-Continuum Cleveland, OH United States
MAR 15, 2013 - MAR 16, 2013
Seton Hill University's Feminist Collective
Greensburg, PA United States
Seton Hill University's Feminist Collective Greensburg, PA United States
OCT 28, 2011 - NOV 06, 2011
University Of North Carolina Greensboro
Greensboro, NC United States
University Of North Carolina Greensboro Greensboro, NC United States
DEC 03, 2010 - DEC 05, 2010
UAC - Rude Mechanicals
Ann Arbor, MI United States
UAC - Rude Mechanicals Ann Arbor, MI United States
MAR 17, 2010 - MAR 28, 2010
Swine Palace
Baton Rouge, LA United States
Swine Palace Baton Rouge, LA United States
OCT 25, 2007 - NOV 03, 2007
Johnny Carson School Of Theatre And Film
Lincoln, NE United States
Johnny Carson School Of Theatre And Film Lincoln, NE United States
FEB 27, 2007 - MAR 02, 2007
Ashbury College
Ottawa, ON Canada
Ashbury College Ottawa, ON Canada
OCT 14, 2006 - OCT 15, 2006
Williams College
Williamstown, MA United States
Williams College Williamstown, MA United States
FEB 01, 2004 - MAR 31, 2004
The Actors Gang
Los Angeles, CA United States
The Actors Gang Los Angeles, CA United States
MAY 01, 2002 - JUN 30, 2002
New Georges and Reverie Productions
New York, NY United States
New Georges and Reverie Productions New York, NY United States
FEB 01, 2002 - MAR 31, 2002
Frank Theatre - The Playwrights' Center
Minneapolis, MN United States
Frank Theatre - The Playwrights' Center Minneapolis, MN United States
NOV 01, 2001 - DEC 31, 2001
Perishable Theater
Providence, RI United States
Perishable Theater Providence, RI United States
No upcoming productions.
JUL 05, 2013 - JUL 27, 2013
Convergence-Continuum
Cleveland, OH United States
Convergence-Continuum Cleveland, OH United States
MAR 17, 2010 - MAR 28, 2010
Swine Palace
Baton Rouge, LA United States
Swine Palace Baton Rouge, LA United States
FEB 01, 2004 - MAR 31, 2004
The Actors Gang
Los Angeles, CA United States
The Actors Gang Los Angeles, CA United States
MAY 01, 2002 - JUN 30, 2002
New Georges and Reverie Productions
New York, NY United States
New Georges and Reverie Productions New York, NY United States
FEB 01, 2002 - MAR 31, 2002
Frank Theatre - The Playwrights' Center
Minneapolis, MN United States
Frank Theatre - The Playwrights' Center Minneapolis, MN United States
NOV 01, 2001 - DEC 31, 2001
Perishable Theater
Providence, RI United States
Perishable Theater Providence, RI United States

Awards (2)

Princess Grace Award finalist

Best Play of 2002, Minneapolis CityPages