Review: OCU's Out of the Box presents GOOD KIDS

Jess here. I just saw OCU's Out of the Box production of "Good Kids" by Naomi Iizuka. The work presented, and raised several important questions related to today's society and how we deal with pressing human rights issues; especially when based on situations involving morality.

This story follows several students from a fictitious small town school, Hoover High, before, during and after a rape incident. Some classmates are having a party when Chloe, a student from a different school, shows up inebriated. She is subsequently ridiculed and ultimately taken advantage of by some boys who attend Hoover. The show discusses how teenagers and adults deal with (or rather, DON'T deal with) the stigma and repercussions associated with sexual assault.

This show is very ensemble based and I feel as if this cast, in particular, did a fantastic job of working together. Their delivery of the show at the level of respect it deserved is to be commended. The entire ensemble was very dedicated to the sensitivity surrounding the story they were telling, and as an audience member, I found their devotion both inspiring and liberating.

The cast members included:

CHLOE: Olivia White

CONNOR: Luke Riggs

AMBER: Karenna Mudd

MADISON: LilyAna Nowicki

BRIANNA: Andrea Strickler

DAPHNE: Grace Nettrour

KYLIE: Olivia Laskin

SKYLER: Lisi Levy

DEIRDRE: Kayleigh Adams

TY: Zach Prall

TANNER: Mikel Kendrick

LANDON: Grant Wilson

ENSEMBLE / FEMALE SWING: Sophia Ciavarelli

MALE SWING: Joey Witten

The director, Kaylila Pasha, and assistant director, Brianna Williams, did a wonderful job blocking and creating this piece. Putting on a production in such a challenging space (a medium-sized room with two poles in the center of it) is no easy feat, but this duo brought the story to life with creative choreography and associated character dynamics. Often times, the actors used their phones to illuminate their faces, which fit both the theme of the social-media centered plot, and also introduced an interesting lighting element to the otherwise fluorescent room. The cast was incredibly effective in creating chemistry in every scene, and the artistic integrity of both the production staff and ensemble was very cohesive throughout.

It is so important to have a fitting cast to present a work that is based on current, and very relevant social issues. And this cast delivered. I'd like to thank everyone involved in the production for presenting such an important piece of work, and giving it the justice it deserves.

"Careful before you say, listen to me.. children will listen" -Stephen Sondheim

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