←Recommendations of TEACH

TEACH is a timeless piece of theater that examinesgender bias on multiple levels in American school system. Donna’s writing cuts deep into the subject matter in unique style through the creative staging of the piece.

TEACH is remarkable -- I found it to be a fluid, timley, relevant interrogation play which connects the separate dichotomies of male vs female power dynamic interactions, as well as explores necessary and uncomfortable educational boundaries. As a professor, I found it riveting.

I also deeply admire the way Ms. Hoke made a properly connected, time-fluid story with only a few chairs as a set; that’s craft at its highest.

The style of Donna Hoke's TEACH highlights the complexities of relationships that sit right on that borderline between "ok" and "not ok" - and drives home the realization that when you're that close to the line, you've probably already crossed it. The staging in incredibly interesting and sends a strong pointed message about the way power can be abused, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

This piece is very special. Not only is the story incredibly engaging, but the diversity of gender, sex, and race create an opportunity for the audience to view the same situation from multiple viewpoints. This really challenges our personal biases and incites important conversation. Hoke writes each character with great nuance and sympathy, which adds to the complexity of the audience's experience. Highly recommend!

I was thoroughly engrossed in this intricately written piece! I loved how not only was the scenario itself was rich enough fodder for a compelling story, but Hoke also pushes the audience to constantly question and reframe how they'd feel about the situation given a rotating smorgasbord of gendered interactions. I also appreciated how the dialogue's flexibility and gender neutrality was so nuanced. The code-switching individual actors would have the opportunity to do while relating to various scene-partner-permutations would be a delightful challenge and also an excellent opportunity for bold conversation starting about gender, power, relationships, and propriety.

Great show to have your audience question gender biases.

TEACH is a riveting and intense story that transcends the reader into the world of these characters. We feel their longing for for that unconditional touch. Brilliantly crafted, poetic, and haunting.

An uncovering of the past and present that you think is going one direction but then veers to an unforeseen path where we start to question our own biases, our own views on power, on gender, and on love. A unique investigation and exploration on those that teach us in our lives, those that we teach, and the mistakes (sometimes catastrophic, sometime stumbles) that make us all flawed and human.

This is an incredibly compelling, interesting play that asks a lot of questions. Some people look to theater for answers... this play offers few answers but highlights questions about desire and ethics in high school classrooms. It also visits the issue of power structures in the workplace and sexual attraction. After reading it the first time, I was angry at Ken for his manipulation and his abuse of his the power of his office; but after reading it the second time, I began to believe that the characters' shifting gender identities tell another story.

As an educator, I appreciated the remarkable tension Donna Hoke builds into each scene of TEACH. There is much to unpack for teachers, administrators, and even guidance counselors here... but particularly for students, and the adults they ultimately become. Hoke’s usage of gender fluidity allows us to see this story from a multifaceted perspective, delineating all the scenarios for power dynamics in cases of teacher misconduct. The effect is eerily powerful, as male and female performers must alternate inhabitation of a teacher and student. Produce this play, and spark an important conversation about sexual harassment and abuse.