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
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Cheryl Bear:
27 Mar. 2021
“
An incredible sci-fi that explores human capabilities when fear drives cruelty and darkness. Well done. ”
Skye Robinson Hillis:
2 Mar. 2018
“
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 Henry:
2 Feb. 2018
“
"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. ”
Casting should reflect the racial and ethnic diversity present in the world today.
The actors both narrate and play a variety of characters, including space aliens they call BLUES.
SUZIE LUCAS
12-ish,
female or female-identifying
Maria and Lucas's daughter, a 12- year-old student, and other roles (MRS. FISHER, BLUE
Can be played by:
Age:
Child, Teens, 20s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Any gender
RITA
12-ish,
female or female-identifying
A 12-year-old student, and other roles (DONNY'S MUELLER's MOM, REPORTER, BLUE)
Can be played by:
Age:
Child, Teens, 20s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Any gender
MARIA LUCAS
30s-40s,
female or female-identifying
A mother, and other roles (SCIENTIST, BLUE)
Can be played by:
Age:
30s, 40s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Any gender
JOHNNY REYNOLDS
20s-30s,
Male or male-identifying
Grace's son, a guitar-playing custodian, and other roles (REPORTER, BLUE)
Can be played by:
Age:
20s, 30s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Any gender
JEFF
20s-30s,
Male
An entrepreneur, and other roles (RITA'S MOM, BLUE)
Can be played by:
Age:
Any age
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Any gender
ISAAC LUCAS
30-40s,
Male or male-identifying
Maria's husband, a factory worker, and other roles (SCIENTIST, BLUE)
Can be played by:
Age:
30s, 40s
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Any gender
GRACE REYNOLDS
50-60,
female or female-identifying
A widow, and other roles (TOM DURAND, BLUE)
Can be played by:
Age:
50s, 60s, 70s+
Race/Ethnicity:
Any race/ethnicity
Gender:
Any gender
DONNY MUELLER
12-ish,
Any
A 9-year-old student, and other roles (PRESIDENT, BLUE)