ALiEN8 (with Kate Brennan)

by David Lee White

Music & Lyrics by Kate Brennan

In a small Midwestern town, a tornado touches down on prom night, leaving devastation in its wake—and a third of the town gone. Appearing amidst the rubble is a stranger—who identifies only as "8." 8 communicates through a unique gestural language and begins to acquire English by reading novels like The Catcher in the Rye, Lord of the Flies and The Grapes of Wrath. But when the students start to learn 8's...

In a small Midwestern town, a tornado touches down on prom night, leaving devastation in its wake—and a third of the town gone. Appearing amidst the rubble is a stranger—who identifies only as "8." 8 communicates through a unique gestural language and begins to acquire English by reading novels like The Catcher in the Rye, Lord of the Flies and The Grapes of Wrath. But when the students start to learn 8's language, they threaten to unearth a dark secret that the town’s adults would rather keep buried. Past sins and future hopes collide in this musical about the parts of ourselves we alienate to get by—and the parts we risk for a chance to connect.

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ALiEN8 (with Kate Brennan)

Recommended by

  • Peter Fenton: ALiEN8 (with Kate Brennan)

    I saw the production of this play by the Bucks County Playhouse professional youth company last summer! This was an incredible story about accepting others and dealing with the heavy secrets we carry. It really was a great production from top to bottom and it's a show I hope to see regularly performed by schools and professional companies alike!

    I saw the production of this play by the Bucks County Playhouse professional youth company last summer! This was an incredible story about accepting others and dealing with the heavy secrets we carry. It really was a great production from top to bottom and it's a show I hope to see regularly performed by schools and professional companies alike!

  • Cheryl Bear: ALiEN8 (with Kate Brennan)

    A fascinating discovery as a third of the town disappears and an alien comes. In the process, will the secret the town prefers hidden come to light and how can we connect if we don't reconcile it all? Well done.

    A fascinating discovery as a third of the town disappears and an alien comes. In the process, will the secret the town prefers hidden come to light and how can we connect if we don't reconcile it all? Well done.

  • Max Gallagher (they/them): ALiEN8 (with Kate Brennan)

    I acted as 8 in Drexel’s production of “ALiEN8” and had an absolutely delightful time doing it! The language is highly rhythmic and it’s easy to find a path right into the heart of the story. After one of the shows, I shared an interaction with an audience member — they were crying, trying to find their words — and all they could say was “thank you”. Thank you, David, for the words you’ve shared with the internet and beyond!

    I acted as 8 in Drexel’s production of “ALiEN8” and had an absolutely delightful time doing it! The language is highly rhythmic and it’s easy to find a path right into the heart of the story. After one of the shows, I shared an interaction with an audience member — they were crying, trying to find their words — and all they could say was “thank you”. Thank you, David, for the words you’ve shared with the internet and beyond!

Character Information

There are 13 principle roles in the show, with a number of small roles for an ensemble.
  • 8
    Character has no gender. Can be played by any gender. May or may not be an alien.
    Character Age
    ?
    Character Gender Identity
    Genderless
  • Michael Brasfield
    High School guidance counselor. Tries to do the right thing. Misses the boat sometimes.
    Character Age
    30s-50s
    Character Gender Identity
    Straight Male
  • Erica Tanner
    Literature teacher. Well-liked by students
    Character Age
    30s-50s
    Character Gender Identity
    Straight Female
  • Pastor Warren
    The moral compass of the town of Festial, MO.
    Character Age
    40s-50s
    Character Gender Identity
    Straight Male
  • Haley
    Ambitious. Straight-A student
    Character Age
    17
    Character Gender Identity
    Straight Female
  • Ray Berry
    Zach's father. Used to be a semi-famous pop star.
    Character Age
    50s-60s
    Character Gender Identity
    Straight Male
  • Anna
    Daughter of Pastor Warren and Janet. Abby's older sister
    Character Age
    17
    Character Gender Identity
    Female,
    possibly gay
  • Janet Warren
    Pastor Warren's wife and Anna's mom. Doesn't always like the message her husband preaches.
    Character Age
    50s-60s
    Character Gender Identity
    Straight Female
  • Emily
    Bit of a goth-chick
    Character Age
    17
    Character Gender Identity
    Gay female
  • Linda Foster
    Principal of the school.
    Character Age
    40s-60s
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Ethan
    Bit of an internet conspiracy theorist
    Character Age
    17
    Character Gender Identity
    a cis Male
  • Zach
    Whatever his sexuality is, he hasn't figured it out yet.
    Character Age
    17
    Character Gender Identity
    Male,
    possibly asexual
  • Alex
    A dancer. The new kid in school.
    Character Age
    17
    Character Gender Identity
    Non-binary
  • Abby dancer
    Double-cast with Alex
    Character Age
    13
    Character Gender Identity
    non-binary or trans

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization Ignition Arts, Oklahoma City, Year 2018
  • Type Workshop, Organization McCarter Theater Center - Education Program, Year 2017

Production History

  • Type University, Organization Drexel University/Ignition Arts, Year 2019

Awards

  • Mandell Professionals in Residence Project
    Drexel University
    Selection
    2019