always boy

by jk jk

"always boy" is the story of a teenage ghost haunting his former best friend’s life, and sending her and her family into chaos and ultimately confrontation.

One day, Tommy’s teenage ghost from 1999 shows up at Jackie’s work as a high school drama teacher. He takes her on a journey of forgiveness as they reenact scenes from their old high school theater productions in the various nooks and crannies of the...

"always boy" is the story of a teenage ghost haunting his former best friend’s life, and sending her and her family into chaos and ultimately confrontation.

One day, Tommy’s teenage ghost from 1999 shows up at Jackie’s work as a high school drama teacher. He takes her on a journey of forgiveness as they reenact scenes from their old high school theater productions in the various nooks and crannies of the theater building.

With "always boy" we create conversation about homophobia in rural North America and its harmful persistence to this day. We center a queer non-binary family, opening dialogue about the challenges of partnering and parenting while healing. Central to our story are two teenage characters, Tommy the ghost from 1999. And Val, Jackie’s daughter from 2023. Tommy brings and manipulates an old technology, mix tapes and old school theater magic, hoping that Jackie will see him. And Val, Jackie’s daughter living in the here and now, brings new technology: posting, streaming, and messaging in hopes that anyone anywhere will hear her or see her. These teens are decades apart, yet they are both in the same space of confusion in their lives.

"always boy" will be a live play, an Instagram story, and a YouTube experience.

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always boy

Recommended by

  • The Workshop Theater: always boy by jk jk
    “

    The Workshop Theater is pleased to recognize jk jk as playwrights selected out of a competitive pool of applicants for our Fall 2021 Writer’s Intensive. The Writer’s Intensive is an eight-week long, playwright-driven process geared towards revising an existing play. always boy draws the audience in with compelling, complex characters, gentle playfulness, and heartbreaking honesty. It highlights all the wonderful things about life (and especially life in the theater) while simultaneously showcasing how alienating life can be. Our congratulations and thanks to Jenny and Khattie.

    The Workshop Theater is pleased to recognize jk jk as playwrights selected out of a competitive pool of applicants for our Fall 2021 Writer’s Intensive. The Writer’s Intensive is an eight-week long, playwright-driven process geared towards revising an existing play. always boy draws the audience in with compelling, complex characters, gentle playfulness, and heartbreaking honesty. It highlights all the wonderful things about life (and especially life in the theater) while simultaneously showcasing how alienating life can be. Our congratulations and thanks to Jenny and Khattie.

    ”

Character Information

four characters and a chorus of 4 dancers
  • Jackie
    Late-30s/Early-40s. Black, Afro-Latinx. Ray’s wife and Val’s bio mom. Theatre teacher at a high school. Tommy’s friend in high school in the 90s.
    40s
    Afro-Latinx
    a cis Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Ray
    Late-30s/Early-40s. White. Non-binary (AFAB). Copywriter for a big athletic shoe company. Jackie’s spouse and Val’s other mom. A workaholic.
    40s
    White
    afab non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary
  • Val
    18-years-old. Jackie’s bio daughter, and Ray’s adopted daughter. Awkward and lonely. The weird kid at school.
    18
    Black/Afro Latinx
    a cis Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Tommy
    A ghost. 18-years-old, forever. White, super pale. Redhead. Jackie’s friend from high school. He loves theatre and is extra dramatic. Great physical comedy. Can sing.
    18
    White
    (assigned male at birth - plot relevant)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • The Tommys
    A quartet of ghosts. They look like Tommy, but different. They each have red hair, a baggy t-shirt, flannel button-up, and jeans. But each Tommy wears “Tommy” a little differently. One is goth and moody, one is feminine presenting and gender-fluid, one is academic and studious, and the fourth is a clown/a showman. The Tommys can dance and sing. Diverse casting is encouraged.
    18
    Any
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s

Development History

  • Residency, New Harmony Project, 2022
  • Workshop, Playwright Theatre Centre, 2021
  • Residency, Workshop Theatre Fall Intensive, 2021

Awards

  • Digital Dramaturgy Initiative
    Playwright Theatre Centre
    Winner
    2021
  • Digital Connections
    GVPTA Greater Vancouver Province Theatre Association
    Winner
    2021