Big Lake: A Tragedy in Two Parts, as Produced by the American Laboratory Theater, New York City

"Big Lake" is a poignant and stark two-part tragedy written by the celebrated playwright Lynn Riggs. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of the Oklahoma frontier, the play explores the emotional and moral complexities of youth caught in the crosshairs of social expectation and natural isolation. The story follows two teenagers, Betty and Lloyd, whose innocent excursion to the namesake lake spirals into a dark exploration of guilt, fear, and the harsh realities of societal judgment.Riggs, a master of capturing the regional dialect and psychological tension of the American Southwest, delivers a lyrical yet devastating portrait of human vulnerability. The work reflects the broader themes of Riggs's body of work-specifically the friction between individual desire and the rigid moral landscape of a frontier community. Known for its early production by the American Laboratory Theater in New York City, "Big Lake" stands as a significant contribution to early 20th-century American drama, showcasing the rhythmic prose and deep insight that would later define the modern stage. This work remains a powerful example of regionalist theater, offering a timeless meditation on the loss of innocence and the inexorable weight of tragedy.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.