Overview
Buy your grades. Buy your future.
But what happens when the rest of the world finds out?Debuting just weeks after the College Admissions Scandal took the nation by storm, Ranked tells the story of a dystopian world where competition reaches new heights as publicized academic excellence defines each student's worth. In the face of an intense and perverse culture of performance, Lily must come to grips with her place in the status quo as she watches friends and enemies alike destroy themselves and each other to score their way to the top of academic leaderboards. When an impossible lie is discovered, the fate of these students' futures hangs in the balance.Since premiering in April of 2018, Ranked has been produced and further developed at the UC Davis Department of Theatre and Dance’s Catalyst: A Theatre Think Tank, has been performed by high schools across the country, and is the focus of the 2022 HBO feature documentary, My So-Called High School Rank."It could well be a new requirement-all high school theatre groups shall have Ranked in their catalog"- BroadwayWorld.com
Plot
Lily is Above the Average, barely. Soon the giant, and very public, academic leaderboards will update everyone’s class rank, and for another day, everyone will know their place. If you fall Below the Average - say goodbye to college, and pretty much everything else. Below the Average students are nothing more than social outcasts, not worth anyone’s time. In the face of an intense and perverse culture of performance, Lily must find her place in the status quo as she watches friends and enemies alike destroy themselves and each other to score their way to the top.
When an impossible lie is discovered, the fate of these students' futures hangs in the balance. Ranked asks - what are you worth? Who decides? And what do you do when it all comes crashing down.
LILY LARSEN - Principal. Anxious freshmen protagonist, LILY is new to the world of high-stakes academic rankings and still learning the ropes. Strong pop/rock mezzo-soprano belts to an F#5
JOHN CARTER - Principal. Earnest and playful, JOHN is a sophomore who stopped caring about academics and being “Above the Average” after his mother died, following the lead of his older sister JORDAN. Strong pop baritone, belts to a G#4
SYDNEY SUMMERS - Principal. SYDNEY is driven and cutthroat. She’s ranked #1 in the senior class, and got there by being brilliant, staying focused, and knowing exactly how to play the game. Powerful pop alto/soprano with vocal riffing belts to an E5
RYAN SUMMERS - Principal. SYDNEY's twin brother, RYAN is charming, charismatic, and blissfully unaware of his privilege. Girls love him, and guys want to be him. Baritone/tenor, belts to an A5
ALEXIS LARSEN - Principal. Cautious and concerned, ALEXIS has worked incredibly hard to be near the top of the senior class. She lets her guard down for RYAN, but coaches her little sister LILY on how to follow in her footsteps and keep their family’s secrets. True alto, sweet and endearing pop/folk voice. F3-D5
JORDAN CARTER - Supporting. Jaded and angry, JORDAN chose to focus on her academics over spending time with her dying mother last year, and carries that regret with her. She would love nothing more than to see the class ranking system collapse. True alto with strong high belt. Eb3 to Eb5
JACQUIE - Supporting. Part of SYDNEY’s Squad, Jacquie is witty, sharp and doesn’t pull any punches. She is usually the first to chime in after SYDNEY speaks very aggressively, and knows her place in the pack. Alto, strong with harmonies
CARLY - Supporting. CARLY is part of SYDNEY’s Squad. While she is smart enough academically to be at the top, she lacks some social competence and is usually a step behind whatever point her squad is making. Mezzo-soprano, strong with harmonies
FRANCIS - Supporting. FRANCIS is the sass of SYDNEY’s Squad. He carries himself with a bit of a strut, his comments are often backhanded and he would not hesitate to take SYDNEY’s place if the opportunity presented itself. Tenor, strong with harmonies
Ranked is written for a rock band, plus violin, viola and cello. For theaters without access to a violist, an alternative string arrangement is available upon request that features two violins.
Music difficulty is intermediate/advanced; the string parts require confidence in wide range of key signatures, grasp of rhythmic integrity and grooves, and calls for sweeping lyricism.
Rehearsal/Performance tracks are available and cover the entire score, including transitions.