Downers Grove School Of Arts Performs Teen 'Dramedy'

DOWNERS GROVE, IL - From Downers Grove Parks Association: The Downers Grove School of the Arts presents ‘Me, My Selfie & I,’ a one-act “dramedy,” from January 11 to 13 at the Lincoln Center located at 935 Maple Ave. in Downers Grove. Tickets are $8 for youth and seniors ages 62 and up and $12 for adults ages 18 and up and are available through 4 pm on Jan. 9 in person at the Lincoln Center, by phone at 630.963.1300 or online at dgparks.org. Tickets are also available at the door.

Through a series of scenes and monologues—everything from an accidental first date to a most unusual art exhibit to creating that last, best selfie—the audience will meet a group of teens who are struggling to find the balance between documenting their lives and living them. Award-winning playwright Jonathan Dorf uses this thought-provoking, one-act “dramedy” to explore the world of social media that we live in.

The phenomenal cast features local youth actors Delaney Turner, Liam Dobson, Ryan Dobson, Paige Holdaway, Emma Orr and Brielle Reed.

“This show is about how people need to slow down and focus on the event, not their phone,” said cast member Liam Dobson.

Akeila LeClaire, Performing Arts Supervisor for the Downers Grove Park District, coordinated the production of ‘Me, My Selfie & I.’

“This show subtly speaks to the complexity of the younger generation and how they have to face brand new problems previous generations did not, while simultaneously dealing with age-old issues. The show touches on eating disorders, bullying, broken friendships, new love and death. The vignettes of the script are told in the language of our younger generations, but underneath the relatively simple language lies poignant moments and life lessons,” said LeClaire.

For more information about this performance of ‘Me, My Selfie & I’ and other performing arts programs offered by the Downers Grove Park District, please visit dgparks.org.

About Playwright Jonathan Dorf

Playwright and screenwriter Jonathan Dorf has had more than 1,600 play productions, including productions in every US state, as well as in Canada, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. He has been a finalist for the Actors Theatre of Louisville Heideman Award, the Hyperion One Act Award, the Weinberger Playwright Residency and the Interact and Charlotte Rep New Play festivals, and he has worked with such companies as the Walnut Street Theatre, Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey, Ensemble Studio Theatre - LA, Moving Arts and the Pittsburgh New Works Festival. He co-founded YouthPLAYS, a growing publisher of plays and musicals for young actors and audiences at which a number of his plays reside, with more than 25 other works published by such companies as Playscripts, Brooklyn Publishers, Heuer and Original Works, and monologues published in collections published by Meriwether, Playscripts and Smith & Kraus.

About the Downers Grove Park District

The Downers Grove Park District enriches our community through natural area preservation and exceptional recreation, parks, and facilities that inspire memorable experiences. With almost 600 acres of parks and facilities, there are thousands of opportunities for individuals of all ages and interests to grow, play, imagine and explore. Learn more at dgparks.org.

Photo courtesy of Downers Grover Park District