←Recommendations of Uniforms

A difficult and painful rumination on the problem that is conformity to social order as a defense mechanism. Is it more important that we teach children to change the world we live in, or to teach them to protect themselves against a social reality that cannot be avoided? These ten minutes contain both a complex clash of ideas and unexpected moments of connection.

"Uniforms" is a great examination of parenthood. It's about a young boy who wears a dress to school and gets in trouble for it, focussing on the school administrator and the parent of the child. Jeffrey really nails the feeling of a parent trying to stand up for their child against adult oppression. He also has such a great way of adding so many layers to these characters and this conflict in such a short amount of time. Because of that, there are so many different angles in which you can relate to this play. I really enjoyed it!

Celebrate PRIDE by stopping what you're doing and reading this play. As a mom of a kid who wore whatever they wanted until the day *after* they started kindergarten, this play hits me in all the feels. I have been the parent lioness, encountering stupid, and shielding my kid - but how can a mom or dad protect their child from pernicious, systemic gender conformity that plagues our schools? Keyes' sharply-wrought play gets at the heart of why grown-ups and their unexamined baggage causes real harm, every single day. A beautiful, poignant work.

A fantastic statement on forced conformity into mandated gender behavior. The innocent act of wanting to wear a garment is turned into a high crime. We see that the school is trying to prepare the students for a less evolved world, yet how will it become more evolved? Perhaps a fashion history course would open up their eyes to the actual history of gender clothing. Excellent work!

This play reminds you that the fight for gender equality and expression happens not just in the workplace but also in our school systems - and how these dress codes even in our most progressive schools uphold the binary and give a false sense of safety and order. Keyes makes you understand the frustration on both sides which makes this play fuel for a larger conversation. Well-done.