←Recommendations of EXCEPTION TO THE RULE

An original, surprising, and nuanced play that puts onstage a boldly theatrical yet intimate world. It's amazing to see young black teens rendered so beautifully and with the complexity, intelligence, and honored desires that these characters have. The dialogue is masterfully observed and each distinct and uniquely-voiced character speaks with the irregular rhythms of natural speech. The piece warms up with skillfully-drawn humor and turns menacing quickly. The disturbing, garbled sound/light interludes punctuate the escalating tension and consistently remind us subtly yet directly of the institutionalized structures, entrenched racism, and the insidious, at-best-indifferent-at-worst-toxic authority figures that poison our society.

This play can start out feeling like a comedy or coming of age story set in detention with a group of African American students but it quickly becomes so much more. It's a play that portrays the things that trap the black community and a play that breaks down the idea that that community is some kind of monolith. This plays has many roles for young black actors that are complex and free from the stereotypes that today's media is filled with. Really hope this gets produced soon!!

Dave's play is constantly surprising, while offering multiple moments of moving, funny, and deeply disturbing reflections on the ways institutionalized structures, and our responses to them, take effect on our lives.

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Dave Harris and their play Exception to the Rule as a finalist for our 2018 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one of 53 finalists out of more than 1,420 submissions, the strength of its writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process.

At first glance EXCEPTION TO THE RULE appears relatively straightforward: kids gathered in a room for detention waiting for release. But as time drags on, fights erupt, and the authoritarian voice over the intercom drones on about consequences and zero tolerance, Dave Harris’ world becomes something far greater than itself. It’s an epic in a deceivingly small package; a story of identity, circumstance, and sacrifice. #PlaywrightPlug