Dodgeball Theatre Brings 'The Breaking Point' to the Stage

Dodgeball Theatre is bringing its original production, The Breaking Point to the stage starting May 6.

The show is the ensemble’s artistic interpretation of chaos and beauty, and was created after months of work, and shares their perspectives with their audiences.

The students involved in the ensemble created the production from its inception, starting with writing prompts in the fall that eventually turned into monologues.  The writing prompts can be simple or philosophical, for example they may be asked to write about the last time they were angry.

The group comes up with a theme to decide which monologues they may include in the show. This year they discussed chaos and what good can come from chaos.

The group also gets to help create the choreography and blocking for the show, as well as choose what music they use, which can help bring out their emotions more.

Members said they love that they are able to understand where the emotion comes from in the monologues.

The group comes from different schools in the area to meet, work and rehearse in their Herndon space, including Langley, South Lakes, Dominion and other area high schools. Some have just met and some have known each other for years.

They often share stories and information about their lives that they have never shared elsewhere, creating a strong bond within the group. The monologues can be quite personal, as well, relating to family life, friends or other issues they’re dealing with.

The members said if they don’t want to voice their monologue themselves they can ask that it be included but that someone else performs it so if the subjects of the monologue are audience members it can be less confrontational.

Members of the group include: Talley Murphy, Jessica Ashworth, Rachel Thompson, Alina Zufall, Savanna Salassi, Annie Begley, Kaleigh Mullins, Karin Hoelzl, Kyle DeCamp, Kevin Salassi, Abigail Spira , Charlotte DeWolfe, Hailey Corkery.  

Heide Zufall is the movement teacher/co-director of the group and Haley Murphy is the director of Dodgeball Theatre.

Performances will be held May 6 at 7 p.m. at the Artory in Herndon, 1141 Elden Street, Suite 202; May 23 at 7 p.m. at ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center Street; June 6 at 4 p.m. at the Senior Center at Cascades, 21060 Whiifield Place, in Sterling; and June 10 at 3 p.m. at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, in Ashburn.