SAFETY HARBOR, Fla. | “Tapestry: A Weekend of Socially-Conscious Storytelling” will debut at the Safety Harbor Art and Music Center May 20-21, presenting five plays designed to elevate marginalized voices.
The showcase will feature three 10-minute one-acts and two full-length works, four of which include LGBTQ+ characters. Each piece is written by playwright and Watermark contributor Deborah Bostock-Kelley, who also directed a cast of 25:
Shows on May 20 begin at 7 p.m. and include one acts “TTYL,” “Cradle Robber” and “my body. my voice.” The full length “#NotOneMore” will follow.
View each’s piece’s description below:
“TTYL”is about a conversation that explores the fragile relationship between mother and daughter. Sometimes, words not said are just as important as those that are.
“Cradle Robber” is about a gay couple’s adoption of a newborn thwarted by homophobia in Florida.
“my body. my voice.” is a story of three women in crisis — a teenager, a college student and a gay couple doing IVF — during the overturn of Roe V Wade in 2022.
“#NotOneMore” is a dramatic production in two parts: BEFORE and AFTER, weaved together with a common thread. It looks unflinching at bullying, sexual violence, mental health and a school shooting. Erika and her classmates tell the story of an average school day that turns to chaos as Erika recounts a school shooting and the tragic loss of her girlfriend. Act two follows her to a grief support group where the survivors share trauma and connection.
“Breast Advice,” which has been billed as “‘The Vagina Monologues’ for boobs,” will be presented May 21 at 7:30 p.m. The revised feature consists of “honest, funny and serious monologues about breasts curated from all gender orientations who answered a post on Facebook.”
View a selection of photos from rehearsals below, courtesy of Bostock-Kelley.
Above all, Bostock-Kelley says she hopes the plays ignite a conversation.
“I have never shied away from controversial and hard-hitting stories,” the playwright explains. “With everything happening in our world today, it’s important to continue to speak out.”
“Tapestry: A Weekend of Socially-Conscious Storytelling” will play May 20-21 at the Safety Harbor Art and Music Center, located at 706 2nd St. N. in Safety Harbor. Tickets for the showcase are on sale now and begin at $20, with weekend passes for $35. Learn more and purchase yours here.
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