< 3

by Sara Jean Accuardi

[full length] 14-year-old Ellie is a good kid. It’s the worst. 25-year-old David is grown-up. It’s the worst. Is it more dangerous to grow up too fast or too slowly?

[full length] 14-year-old Ellie is a good kid. It’s the worst. 25-year-old David is grown-up. It’s the worst. Is it more dangerous to grow up too fast or too slowly?

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< 3

Recommended by

  • Diego Barba: < 3

    There is a palpable yearning present in Accuardi's characters and dialogue that lingers long after the last line. The dynamic of the younger cast of characters feels very real through their interactions and is supported by the girls' differing grasps on social media and dating, in general. The adult characters are painfully accurate in their own right through what they leave unsaid and discover throughout the play. Accuardi tactfully leaves breadcrumbs in the form of physical cues and pauses, culminating in a final scene that I was not expecting. "<3" is a poignant, cautionary tale about innocence, adulthood, and relationships.

    There is a palpable yearning present in Accuardi's characters and dialogue that lingers long after the last line. The dynamic of the younger cast of characters feels very real through their interactions and is supported by the girls' differing grasps on social media and dating, in general. The adult characters are painfully accurate in their own right through what they leave unsaid and discover throughout the play. Accuardi tactfully leaves breadcrumbs in the form of physical cues and pauses, culminating in a final scene that I was not expecting. "<3" is a poignant, cautionary tale about innocence, adulthood, and relationships.

  • Diana Maldonado: < 3

    Jaw-dropping when the two stories collide. A worthy read and accurate portrayal of two age groups - each character is a real person in their own right.

    Jaw-dropping when the two stories collide. A worthy read and accurate portrayal of two age groups - each character is a real person in their own right.

  • Audrey Lang: < 3

    Alongside a compelling story, with several threads that get weaved together in the most intriguing yet inevitable way, "< 3" has an incredible sense of pace that kept me constantly engaged. The young characters feel authentically young even as they are trying to grow up faster than they should have to. I would love to see this play performed.

    Alongside a compelling story, with several threads that get weaved together in the most intriguing yet inevitable way, "< 3" has an incredible sense of pace that kept me constantly engaged. The young characters feel authentically young even as they are trying to grow up faster than they should have to. I would love to see this play performed.

View all 19 recommendations

Character Information

4w, 2m
  • DAVID
    Character Age
    24
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • PETER
    Character Age
    24
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • ELLIE
    Character Age
    14
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • TRACY
    Character Age
    16
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • ALICE
    Character Age
    25
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • SANDRA
    Character Age
    40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Theatre Vertigo, Year 2018
  • Type Workshop, Organization Seven Devils Playwrights Conference, Year 2015

Awards

  • Seven Devils Playwrights Conference
    id Theater
    Selection
    2015