A Beginner's Guide to Self-Loathing & Why We Say Goodbye

by Wolfgang Jones

Life. It's a nightmare. It's a trainwreck. It's uncomfortable, exhausting, and full of crying, cringing, laughing, snorting, sneering, squirming, puking, whatever - and that's okay. Because that's not the hard part. For Chris, Everett, and Jordan it's another terrible day in a life full of loss, poverty, crumbling mental health, self-destruction, and trying to survive when you just really fucking hate yourself.

Life. It's a nightmare. It's a trainwreck. It's uncomfortable, exhausting, and full of crying, cringing, laughing, snorting, sneering, squirming, puking, whatever - and that's okay. Because that's not the hard part. For Chris, Everett, and Jordan it's another terrible day in a life full of loss, poverty, crumbling mental health, self-destruction, and trying to survive when you just really fucking hate yourself.

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A Beginner's Guide to Self-Loathing & Why We Say Goodbye

Recommended by

  • Heidi Kraay: A Beginner's Guide to Self-Loathing & Why We Say Goodbye

    This play will break your heart and ask you to do the deep work you've always needed in order to heal the wounds you've been ignoring too long. This story and characters will conjure up a longing, howling ache you didn't know you need to unearth. Breathe deep as you read, considering with a nurturing glance the lost parts of you, of a friend you love (and may have lost). Many of us will relate and feel called to walk through the (amazingly funny) pain Jones asks us to visit, for our own sake. A brave, hungry, hurtling journey.

    This play will break your heart and ask you to do the deep work you've always needed in order to heal the wounds you've been ignoring too long. This story and characters will conjure up a longing, howling ache you didn't know you need to unearth. Breathe deep as you read, considering with a nurturing glance the lost parts of you, of a friend you love (and may have lost). Many of us will relate and feel called to walk through the (amazingly funny) pain Jones asks us to visit, for our own sake. A brave, hungry, hurtling journey.

  • David A. Miller: A Beginner's Guide to Self-Loathing & Why We Say Goodbye

    Heartfelt, funny, gut-wrenching. All of these things are true in this muscular play. The play is so theatrical in the way that it moves from scene to scene, moment to moment, character to character. The (repeated) unraveling of Everett's life is so engaging, even when infuriating (in the best of ways). It was a gift to get to know this play and this playwright at the Seven Devils Playwrights Conference.

    Heartfelt, funny, gut-wrenching. All of these things are true in this muscular play. The play is so theatrical in the way that it moves from scene to scene, moment to moment, character to character. The (repeated) unraveling of Everett's life is so engaging, even when infuriating (in the best of ways). It was a gift to get to know this play and this playwright at the Seven Devils Playwrights Conference.

  • Ethan Alltop: A Beginner's Guide to Self-Loathing & Why We Say Goodbye

    A shotgun blast of emotion; both gut-wrenchingly cathartic and darkly humorous. Jones speaks from his soul, and when you're dealing with suicide, heartbreak, and friendship; where else would you want it written from?

    A shotgun blast of emotion; both gut-wrenchingly cathartic and darkly humorous. Jones speaks from his soul, and when you're dealing with suicide, heartbreak, and friendship; where else would you want it written from?

View all 7 recommendations

Character Information

Please do not produce this with an all-white cast. Transgender and non-binary actors are welcome in any role.
  • Chris
    Around the same age as Everett, perhaps a little older. Made serious by increasing exhaustion and frustration. Burdened by a life he didn't want nor ask for.
    Character Age
    30's-40's
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Hope
    The aptly names object of Everett's salvation. On the surface, she is kind, bright, considerate, and happy - all that Everett is not.
    Character Age
    20's-30's
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Jordan
    Painfully aware of her place in the world - moreso than the others. The weight of her cross has been forgotten. Everett's younger sister.
    Character Age
    20's
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Everett
    Mid/late twenties-thirties. Well meaning but clueless and self-defeating. His life has become a hell of his own making. Jordan's older brother.
    Character Age
    20's-30's
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization Seven Devils New Play Conference, Year 2023
  • Type Workshop, Organization Pipeline-Collective, Year 2021
  • Type Workshop, Organization Monument Theatre, Year 2021

Awards

  • Inkslinger Playwriting Award
    Winner
    2023