Bad Date

by Liam Fitzgerald

Rachel woke up bruised and hungover, next to a man she barely remembers meeting. To him, it was nothing special. To Rachel, it was rape. Everyone else, isn’t quite sure what they think happened, and feels in no rush to make a decision. In an academic world that can barely admit to the occurrence of rape, Rachel finds herself fighting an uphill battle to convince her community, her friends, and even her attacker...

Rachel woke up bruised and hungover, next to a man she barely remembers meeting. To him, it was nothing special. To Rachel, it was rape. Everyone else, isn’t quite sure what they think happened, and feels in no rush to make a decision. In an academic world that can barely admit to the occurrence of rape, Rachel finds herself fighting an uphill battle to convince her community, her friends, and even her attacker of the truth.

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Bad Date

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Bad Date by Liam Fitzgerald
    “

    An explosive and powerful look at rape in a college setting, the culture surrounding it and the man who would do anything to cover it up. This captures the entire ugly scenarios and the impossible fight Rachel is up against. Very well done.

    An explosive and powerful look at rape in a college setting, the culture surrounding it and the man who would do anything to cover it up. This captures the entire ugly scenarios and the impossible fight Rachel is up against. Very well done.

    ”
  • Nick Malakhow: Bad Date by Liam Fitzgerald
    “

    This unsettling, powerful play explores rape culture and campus sexual assault in a multi-layered fashion. Fitzgerald centers the piece on the painful journey of Rachel while also examining the structures and societal forces that facilitate and perpetuate sexual assault as a wide-scale problem. All of the other characters are fully-rendered humans as well. It is particularly affecting that we get Trevor's complex and evolving point of view, Harriet's grim but realistic perspective, and the nuanced thread of Elizabeth's faith and religion. The recurring image/setting of the beach provides...

    This unsettling, powerful play explores rape culture and campus sexual assault in a multi-layered fashion. Fitzgerald centers the piece on the painful journey of Rachel while also examining the structures and societal forces that facilitate and perpetuate sexual assault as a wide-scale problem. All of the other characters are fully-rendered humans as well. It is particularly affecting that we get Trevor's complex and evolving point of view, Harriet's grim but realistic perspective, and the nuanced thread of Elizabeth's faith and religion. The recurring image/setting of the beach provides powerful repeated visual motifs.

    read more
    ”
  • Unicorn Theatre: Bad Date by Liam Fitzgerald
    “

    This play was a SEMIFINALIST for the 2017-2018 In-Progress New Play Reading Series at Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. It is our pleasure to support BAD DATE.

    This play was a SEMIFINALIST for the 2017-2018 In-Progress New Play Reading Series at Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. It is our pleasure to support BAD DATE.

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Development History

  • Reading, Campfire Theatre Festival, 2017