WHEN WE WERE YOUNG AND UNAFRAID, 2024

When We Were Young and Unafraid by Sarah Treem is a brilliantly layered play that takes place on Whidbey Island in the Pacific Northwest, where women from all over the country travel hours to reach Agnes's creaky bed and breakfast.  Why?  Because the hotel disguises a secret sanctuary for those escaping violent and abusive relationships.  Mary Anne arrives as the newest "guest," but her friendship with Agnes's young daughter, Penny, cracks the very foundation of what keeps the safe house safe.

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We worked with the East Village Basement to create a cozily immersive production of this intimate show.  Actors baked muffin batter, grated potatoes, smoked cigarettes, and sewed latex wounds in this hands-on story.

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In the spirit of the show, we donated our profits to Safe Horizon, which allows victims of domestic violence to find shelter, safety, and a means to start again.  They were generous enough to provide dramaturgical resources including conversations with survivors and mentors, along with a Q&A with our audience.

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When We Were Young and Unafraid

By Sarah Treem

Presented by Olivia Sinnott at East Village Basement

 

Director: Cameron King

Costume Designer: Chelsea Galembo

Props Designer: Nicole White

Intimacy and Fight Director: Willow Funkouser
 

Penny: Anna Lei Negrin

Agnes: Anna Ishida

Mary Anne: Olivia Sinnott

Hannah: Lea Demarchi

Paul: Patrick Voss Davis