When They Came

by MT Cozzola

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

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: When They Came

    An incredible sci-fi that explores human capabilities when fear drives cruelty and darkness. Well done.

    An incredible sci-fi that explores human capabilities when fear drives cruelty and darkness. Well done.

  • Skye Robinson Hillis: When They Came

    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.

    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: When They Came

    "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...

    "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.

View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

Casting should reflect the individual diversity present in our world today.
The actors both narrate and play a variety of characters, including space aliens they call BLUES.
  • RITA
    A 12-year-old student, and other roles (DONNY'S MUELLER's MOM, REPORTER, BLUE)
    Character Age
    12-ish
    Character Gender Identity
    female or female-identifying
  • DONNY MUELLER
    A 9-year-old student, and other roles (PRESIDENT, BLUE)
    Character Age
    12-ish
    Character Gender Identity
    Any
  • GRACE REYNOLDS
    A widow, and other roles (TOM DURAND, BLUE)
    Character Age
    50-60
    Character Gender Identity
    female or female-identifying
  • JOHNNY REYNOLDS
    Grace's son, a guitar-playing custodian, and other roles (REPORTER, BLUE)
    Character Age
    20s-30s
    Character Gender Identity
    Male or male-identifying
  • MARIA LUCAS
    A mother, and other roles (SCIENTIST, BLUE)
    Character Age
    30s-40s
    Character Gender Identity
    female or female-identifying
  • ISAAC LUCAS
    Maria's husband, a factory worker, and other roles (SCIENTIST, BLUE)
    Character Age
    30-40s
    Character Gender Identity
    Male or male-identifying
  • SUZIE LUCAS
    Maria and Lucas's daughter, a 12- year-old student, and other roles (MRS. FISHER, BLUE
    Character Age
    12-ish
    Character Gender Identity
    female or female-identifying
  • JEFF
    An entrepreneur, and other roles (RITA'S MOM, BLUE)
    Character Age
    20s-30s
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • DANA FISHER
    A schoolteacher and other roles (REPORTER, BLUE)
    Character Age
    20s-30s
    Character Gender Identity
    female or female-identifying

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization Piven Theatre, Year 2018
  • Type Reading, Organization Chicago Dramatists, Year 2017

Awards

  • Todd McNerny Playwriting Award
    Finalist
    2019