Helvetica

Helvetica Burke: adventurer, writer, and cynic, has spent her life packaging Death neatly between the lines of her beloved children's books, with her trusty stuffed bear Myron by her side. When she encounters Death head-on however, she finds the storybook truths within the realities of her past, present, and future.

Helvetica Burke: adventurer, writer, and cynic, has spent her life packaging Death neatly between the lines of her beloved children's books, with her trusty stuffed bear Myron by her side. When she encounters Death head-on however, she finds the storybook truths within the realities of her past, present, and future.

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Helvetica

Recommended by

  • Donald E. Baker: Helvetica

    This is a play about big things, like imagination, memory, and death, with a heroine named for a type font, a cardboard boat in which to go adventuring, and a stuffed bear to act as narrator and muse. I had the pleasure of seeing this play read at Atlantic Stage in Myrtle Beach some years ago, and it has stuck with me since. I'm happy to report it's even better than I remembered. In short, fantastic work!

    This is a play about big things, like imagination, memory, and death, with a heroine named for a type font, a cardboard boat in which to go adventuring, and a stuffed bear to act as narrator and muse. I had the pleasure of seeing this play read at Atlantic Stage in Myrtle Beach some years ago, and it has stuck with me since. I'm happy to report it's even better than I remembered. In short, fantastic work!

  • John Patrick Bray: Helvetica

    Simply stated, Helvetica is one of the most beautiful and nourishing plays I've ever read. When I ran the Rose of Athens No Shame Playreading Series, I was thrilled to be able to host this piece. It is one that I come back to often. My hope is every theatre lover in the US will have the opportunity to experience the world of Helvetica, as described by her faithful friend Myron (a role I would love to play if I ever decide to perform again). It's gorgeous!

    Simply stated, Helvetica is one of the most beautiful and nourishing plays I've ever read. When I ran the Rose of Athens No Shame Playreading Series, I was thrilled to be able to host this piece. It is one that I come back to often. My hope is every theatre lover in the US will have the opportunity to experience the world of Helvetica, as described by her faithful friend Myron (a role I would love to play if I ever decide to perform again). It's gorgeous!

  • Woodstock Arts : Helvetica

    A beautiful play about the stories we tell as well as leave behind. Helvetica tugs at your heart strings, makes you think, and provides laughs as well in a poignant ensemble piece. Coleman does a terrific job at capturing Helvetica's voice throughout her life and taking us on her journey through vignettes and storytelling.

    A beautiful play about the stories we tell as well as leave behind. Helvetica tugs at your heart strings, makes you think, and provides laughs as well in a poignant ensemble piece. Coleman does a terrific job at capturing Helvetica's voice throughout her life and taking us on her journey through vignettes and storytelling.

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Great Plains Theatre Conference, Year 2017
  • Type Reading, Organization Southeast Theatre Conference, Year 2015

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Ophelia’s Jump, Year 2025
  • Type Professional, Organization Elm Street Cultural Arts Village, Year 2020
  • Type Professional, Organization Death & Pretzels, Year 2019
  • Type Professional, Organization One Song Productions, Year 2019
  • Type University, Organization University of Missouri Science and Technology, Year 2018
  • Type Professional, Organization Rising Sun Performance Company, Year 2016
  • Type Professional, Organization The Tesseract Theatre Company, Year 2016
  • Type University, Organization Auburn University Montgomery, Year 2015
  • Type University, Organization Hollins University, Year 2015

Awards

  • Best Script
    Planet Connections Theatre Festivity
    Winner
    2016
  • Getchell Award
    Southeast Theatre Conference
    Winner
    2015