Dear Chuck (one-act version)

Developed specifically for teen performers at the Choate Rosemary Hall Summer Arts Conservatory (Wallingford, CT). The play also exists in a full-length (80-90 minute) version here.

Winner, Most Outstanding Show, 2014 Jeff Walker Youth One-Act Festival, Wilmington Drama League (Wilmington, DE).

Gold Medal, Massachusetts Middle School Drama Festival 2015 (F.A. Day Middle School).

Dear Chuck was an incredible experience for the actors and for me as the director. It brought up questions about life choices, peer relationships and guidance from adults as well as formed a bond among the participants that will be lifelong. We wouldn’t trade the time for anything.” – Margaret Foot, Maret School (Washington, DC)

“The show was a hit! The kids had a great time, as well as did the audience. Please know that your insights into the junior and senior high experience are right on.” – Mary Shaffer, Lake Harriet United Methodist Church (Minneapolis, MN)

“It was a huge hit – with me, the cast and the audience!  I really enjoyed working on Dear Chuck.  It left room for the cast to explore and create.  They came up with ways to incorporate multimedia into the show as well.  We all had a really good time with it.” – Dewey Oriente, Jack M Barrack Hebrew Academy (Bryn Mawr, PA)

Synopsis

Teenagers are typically caught in the middle—they’re not quite adults, but they’re definitely no longer children. Through a series of scenes and monologues, we meet an eclectic group of teen characters who are trying to communicate with that wannabe special someone, coping with a classmate’s suicide, battling controlling parents, swimming for that island of calm in the stormy sea of technology—and many others. What they all have in common is the search for their “Chuck,” that elusive moment of knowing who you are.