←Recommendations of Spark

A wonderfully theatrical look at authenticity for young audiences/schools where it is most needed. All the transformations of adolescence get the brilliant metaphorical touch of Vansant's magic. With great roles for female actors!

A touching, resonate look at the transformations we undergo during our teenage years as we try to figure out how we fit into our world while keeping our individuality. Paige’s (a human) final discussion with Ember (the mother dragon) about her new friend Sparks (Ember’s daughter - a dragon who has transformed herself into a human) is a gorgeous and hopeful view of humanity and one I believe we all need to hear.

We were delighted to include "Spark" as part of our MU Summer Repertory "Comedies-in-Concert" series - our audiences loved the gentle but lively comedy, the positive and powerful message on issues of gender, and the delightful, effervescent exploration of teenage challenges. It is effortlessly theatrical, relying more on imagination than expensive set design, and offers exciting roles for young performers, even as it raises important questions about identity, friendship, and dragons!

I enjoyed this charming, funny, and poignant script both as a playwright and a theater educator! Vansant uses fantasy and mythology of dragons to deftly explore themes of outsidership and social pressures/expectations. Like the best fantasy, SPARK provides astute insights on humanity using the extraordinary to give perspective on our world. Not only are the themes and story compelling, but the characters are well-rendered, there are awesome roles for female and femme-identifying young actors, and the stage pictures and stage magic are versatile enough for production companies to dress up or down as needed. Great for schools too!

Spark is a beautiful, charming and fantastically challenging tale for both actors and creative teams. The cast is brimming with well rounded male and female characters(yay for strong females!!!!). Vansant explores the triumphs and trials of teen life through the eyes of a feisty little dragon that I fell in love with. This gem should be produced, and produced often!

Lainie Vansant has crafted a gem. “Spark”is pitch perfect for middle or high school production. It touches on acceptance, self-discovery, the snags of teenage dating, and male toxicity. Her female-heavy cast features unforgettable, clearly drawn characters. This play would also be a fearsome and exciting challenge for designers tasked with Spark’s multiple dragon/human transformations. And how can you not grin giddily after reading “SPARK shoots a pillar of fire into the sky.” ??? I want to see that. I want to DO THAT! Put this one in your treasure trove.

Full of heart and life. Vansant has a gift for writing for the young voice. I love that this play features three great roles for young women that feature them being more than just generally female. Clearly written by someone who cares about young people, Spark is a smart, funny, and unique story about a girl (dragon?) who isn't trying to fit in--and that's okay, because Vansant makes sure that we all know by the end of the play that there is great beauty in just being yourself.

A fun teen comedy about a shape-shifting dragon that takes on human form and learns more about her teen friends and what it means to be human. Strong female characters as the dragon and mother of the dragon.