Turn That Thing Around by Aaron Harris Woodstein is a play based on true events. Standing at the intersection of queerness and neurodivergence, the story centers on Jack, a young person on the cusp of another fun summer at camp with their best friend Gabe. A narrator of mysterious origins guides the audience through their drive up to camp. The problem? Jack is in the grips of a manic episode and time seems to...
Turn That Thing Around by Aaron Harris Woodstein is a play based on true events. Standing at the intersection of queerness and neurodivergence, the story centers on Jack, a young person on the cusp of another fun summer at camp with their best friend Gabe. A narrator of mysterious origins guides the audience through their drive up to camp. The problem? Jack is in the grips of a manic episode and time seems to flash by them, perplexing, disjointed, and hostile. Jack must rely on Gabe's friendship and concern to make the journey. Reality grows increasingly unreliable until everyone in Jack's life must confront and accept that the journey to camp has become a long and arduous journey to recovery. But with friends like Gabe, and proper treatment, nothing is impossible.
Jack/Jackie/Jax: 18 year-old bisexual person (Any Gender)
Gabe/Gabby/Gabz: 19 year-old bisexual person (Any Gender)
Narrator / Doctor Gabe: Older Version of Jack (Any Gender)
Possible Character Divisions Below (All of the following characters could be played by the Narrator or fewer Ensemble members in a three to five person version):
Person 1: Various Characters of Various Ages and Genders (Jack’s Mom, Jack’s Father, Doctor Gabe, Gabe’s Father, Clerk)
Person 2: Various Characters of Various Ages and Genders (Carol, Gabe’s Mother, Robert, Acquaintance, Jen, Jack’s Father, Acting Teacher)
Person 3: Various Characters of Various Ages and Genders (Poppie, Clerk, Jack’s Mom, Doctor Gabe, Sibling, Cranky, Sarah)
Development History
Workshop
,
Unseen Artists
,
2023
Workshop
,
Phoenix Rising Productions
,
2020
Reading
,
Saint Sebastian Players
,
2019
Production History
Professional
,
Self Produced at Ignite Theatre / Catalyst Ranch Chicago