All New Cells

by Aliza Goldstein

When Nils's ex-girlfriend dies suddenly, he is dragged back into a toxic online roleplay scene he swore he'd never return to. He'd been doing okay sticking to his seven-year plan for getting over their breakup - but now, everyone either blames him or expects him to have answers, and he's getting nasty anonymous messages that might be coming from beyond the grave.

When Nils's ex-girlfriend dies suddenly, he is dragged back into a toxic online roleplay scene he swore he'd never return to. He'd been doing okay sticking to his seven-year plan for getting over their breakup - but now, everyone either blames him or expects him to have answers, and he's getting nasty anonymous messages that might be coming from beyond the grave.

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All New Cells

Recommended by

  • Tyson Pappas: All New Cells by Aliza Goldstein
    “

    This may just be my favorite contemporary play. Some shows know what you do in the dark. This show knows what I did in middle school. Children of the internet, look no further than All New Cells. Funny, horrifying, and honest.

    This may just be my favorite contemporary play. Some shows know what you do in the dark. This show knows what I did in middle school. Children of the internet, look no further than All New Cells. Funny, horrifying, and honest.

    ”
  • Nick Malakhow: All New Cells by Aliza Goldstein
    “

    A fantastic play that examines so much--mental health, suicide, trauma, assault, identity, grieving--with a nuanced brush, a sharp sense of humor, and a deep sense of empathy. Goldstein keeps every character uniquely human and sympathetic even as they make unsettling and devastating choices. The rendering of the online world and its juxtaposition with the few snippets of "real life" that we see is amazingly theatrical. This play would be a treat for an entire production team to work on--designers, actors, directors, dramaturgs. Nils' journey felt so complete and poignant. Compelling candidate...

    A fantastic play that examines so much--mental health, suicide, trauma, assault, identity, grieving--with a nuanced brush, a sharp sense of humor, and a deep sense of empathy. Goldstein keeps every character uniquely human and sympathetic even as they make unsettling and devastating choices. The rendering of the online world and its juxtaposition with the few snippets of "real life" that we see is amazingly theatrical. This play would be a treat for an entire production team to work on--designers, actors, directors, dramaturgs. Nils' journey felt so complete and poignant. Compelling candidate for both live and virtual production.

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    ”
  • Gina Femia: All New Cells by Aliza Goldstein
    “

    I LOVE this play. A play that incorporates technology, forums and the tension between who you are on the internet vs. who you are in real life, I think this is one of the more exciting plays I've read for a while. Great roles for women and for a trans man, I think younger audiences and actors would especially love this play.

    I LOVE this play. A play that incorporates technology, forums and the tension between who you are on the internet vs. who you are in real life, I think this is one of the more exciting plays I've read for a while. Great roles for women and for a trans man, I think younger audiences and actors would especially love this play.

    ”

Character Information

  • Nils
    Nervy and confrontational (to hide that he's mostly just nervous). Doing the work, focusing on his writing, finding what still makes his heart do the sparkle emoji (and then there's this bullshit). Passes inconsistently, wardrobe is 70% fandom merch by volume (the rest is clothes his mom bought him).
    Nils is a transgender man and should be played by a transgender man.
    Early 20s
    Trans man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man,
      Non-binary
  • Lux
    A cool chick who you will embarrass yourself trying to impress. Treats fandom like a job. This machine runs on coffee and sleep deprivation. Femme but very, very gay.
    Early 30s
    Cis female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Moody
    Still in her mall goth phase and kind of weirdly proud about it. Lives for forum drama. Dealing with some Gender Stuff of her own but that's another play.
    Early 20s
    Cis female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Aeon
    Wants very badly to be "the mom friend," is an actual mom. Craft witch, anime nerd. Crazy ball jointed doll lady (affectionate). Fat.
    30s
    Cis female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman

Development History

  • Reading, The Shattered Glass Project, 2021
  • Reading, The Blank Theatre Company, 2018

Production History

  • Professional, The Shattered Glass Project, 2023