Alysia, a high school teen, lays prone and unconscious in a classroom hallway while their brother, a swimmer and life-guard, performs CPR. Mere feet away is the other version of Alysia – Alex, who is watching from a distance and commenting, narrating to us. What follows is the story of Alysia’s life, told to us by their alter-ego, Alex and the much more responsible version of themself – who just wants to know – how did I get here? What did I do – as a kid, a teen, a partier – to get here, mere moments away from possible death?
These Things I Know is all about the lives of young people from their own subjective viewpoint. How people are out to get them, how they’re the only one who feel this way, how they generally suck and have no friends. The usual. It explores their worlds of fantasy and dreams, of reality and fiction, and how nothing is ever the way it seems. Funny, irreverent, honest, THESE THINGS I KNOW also plays with the idea of theatre, chorus, and the impact of ensemble, physical movement on stage.
Keywords: High school life, alienation, fantasy, imagination, comedy, angst, depression, love and friendship, loss, family, drugs and alcohol, ensemble, movement, Greek chorus
Produced by Persephone Theatre Young Company, Saskatoon SK, 2015
Genre: Ensemble & group movement, Comedic Drama, Theatre for Young Audiences
Acts: 1
Run time: 80 minutes
Suitable for students 14+
Content notes: Comedy and tragedy live alongside each other in art and life. The play's tone is light and playful and yet there are issues such as depression, drug and alcohol abuse, death and suicide. No one dies but there are dangers and vulnerabilities in the young people that need to be explored. Do not shy away from the comedy because you think it's dark. Do not shy away from the darkness cause you think it's a comedy. It all works if you go for it. A mild language warning.
Cast size: 25 actors
Male roles: 10
Female roles: 15
Trans/Non-Binary/Gender Non-Conforming roles: 15
Casting notes: This is an ensemble play that allows for a wide spectrum of casting choices. There few roles that are strictly male or female. Directors are free and encouraged to explore the possibilities. The casting should represent diversity as much as possible given resource limitations. Directors are encouraged to contact the playwright with questions if necessary.