When They Came

by MT Cozzola

The citizens of a small town reconstruct the events of an alien relocation that did not go as hoped. The humans defend their actions, interrogate each other, and confront their deepest hopes and fears as they try to reshape the disaster into something they can live with, and ultimately find themselves transformed by it. Part story theatre, part sci-fi fantasy, this ensemble piece is based on Debbie Urbanski’s...

The citizens of a small town reconstruct the events of an alien relocation that did not go as hoped. The humans defend their actions, interrogate each other, and confront their deepest hopes and fears as they try to reshape the disaster into something they can live with, and ultimately find themselves transformed by it. Part story theatre, part sci-fi fantasy, this ensemble piece is based on Debbie Urbanski’s short story, "When They Came to Us," which was published in The Sun Magazine and appears in Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2017.

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When They Came

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: When They Came by MT Cozzola
    “

    An incredible sci-fi that explores human capabilities when fear drives cruelty and darkness. Well done.

    An incredible sci-fi that explores human capabilities when fear drives cruelty and darkness. Well done.

    ”
  • Skye Robinson Hillis: When They Came by MT Cozzola
    “

    This is a truly beautiful play. Moving, lyrical, strange, engaging. Like an extraterrestrial OUR TOWN. And like OUR TOWN, it packs a hell of a punch at the end. I have not read anything else quite like it.

    This is a truly beautiful play. Moving, lyrical, strange, engaging. Like an extraterrestrial OUR TOWN. And like OUR TOWN, it packs a hell of a punch at the end. I have not read anything else quite like it.

    ”
  • Jordan Elizabeth: When They Came by MT Cozzola
    “

    "We find ourselves wondering, [...] If they weren't here, would we be better people?" ---- A chilling, haunting close look at what humans are capable of doing to Others, from exoticizing them to "reprogramming" them to, ultimately, destroying them. This is the power of science fiction: it casts light on the darkest corners of our human nature. Cozzola's adaptation of Urbanski's short story is breathtaking -- grand theatricality that would work as well in a no-set black box production or with elaborate sets and costuming. WHEN THEY CAME is a truly special work of theatre that will stick with...

    "We find ourselves wondering, [...] If they weren't here, would we be better people?" ---- A chilling, haunting close look at what humans are capable of doing to Others, from exoticizing them to "reprogramming" them to, ultimately, destroying them. This is the power of science fiction: it casts light on the darkest corners of our human nature. Cozzola's adaptation of Urbanski's short story is breathtaking -- grand theatricality that would work as well in a no-set black box production or with elaborate sets and costuming. WHEN THEY CAME is a truly special work of theatre that will stick with you.

    read more
    ”
View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

Casting should reflect the individual diversity present in our world today.
The actors both narrate and play a variety of characters, including space aliens they call BLUES.
  • GRACE REYNOLDS
    A widow, and other roles (TOM DURAND, BLUE)
    50-60
    female or female-identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • JOHNNY REYNOLDS
    Grace's son, a guitar-playing custodian, and other roles (REPORTER, BLUE)
    20s-30s
    Male or male-identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
  • MARIA LUCAS
    A mother, and other roles (SCIENTIST, BLUE)
    30s-40s
    female or female-identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
  • ISAAC LUCAS
    Maria's husband, a factory worker, and other roles (SCIENTIST, BLUE)
    30-40s
    Male or male-identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
  • SUZIE LUCAS
    Maria and Lucas's daughter, a 12- year-old student, and other roles (MRS. FISHER, BLUE
    12-ish
    female or female-identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens,
      20s
  • JEFF
    An entrepreneur, and other roles (RITA'S MOM, BLUE)
    20s-30s
    Male
  • DANA FISHER
    A schoolteacher and other roles (REPORTER, BLUE)
    20s-30s
    female or female-identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
  • RITA
    A 12-year-old student, and other roles (DONNY'S MUELLER's MOM, REPORTER, BLUE)
    12-ish
    female or female-identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens,
      20s
  • DONNY MUELLER
    A 9-year-old student, and other roles (PRESIDENT, BLUE)
    12-ish
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens,
      20s

Development History

  • Workshop, Piven Theatre, 2018
  • Reading, Chicago Dramatists, 2017

Awards

  • Todd McNerny Playwriting Award
    Finalist
    2019