Raes Calvert in 'Out in the Open' at Green Thumb Theatre. Photo credit: Dennis de la Haye

Out in the Open

By Dave Deveau

Adam convinces Stephen, his best friend, to go on a camping trip for the long weekend, even though Stephen can think of nothing worse than being cold, dirty and bored, not to mention having a lack of indoor plumbing. When the two boys get lost in the woods it becomes clear in their lighthearted banter how much gender stereotyping has forced them both into roles they aren’t sure they fit: Stephen is clean cut, fashion conscious and sophisticated while Adam is laid back, sloppy and girl crazy.

But in a moment of truth one of them reveals a secret they have been hiding for fear of losing everything they know as “normal”. How will the other react? What will this mean for their friendship? Both of their worlds are changed forever and the boundaries of stigma, acceptance and friendship are pushed. How do we deal with our own fears and issues when faced with a shift in what we thought we knew? Out in the Open explores the experience of having to reveal your personal truth and the terrifying reality of revealing and receiving a secret.

Themes: Safe Schools | Homophobia | Heterosexism | Friendship

“

Thank you so much for coming and performing your wonderful play! The script was very well written... This hits me quite close to home so thank you for making my day!

STUDENT, PRINCE OF WALES

“

Great play! Great themes, and the actors make it very relatable to us.

AMANDA, BURNSVIEW SECONDARY SCHOOL

Production Details

2 Male

40 minutes

Theatre for Young Audiences

Age range: 13-18

By Dave Deveau

December 31, 2010

PAST EVENT: Out in the Open – John F. Ross C.V.I. School Tour, January-February, 2018

November 13, 2010

PAST EVENT: Out in the Open – To Be Determined Theatre Co., Ontario Tour September 2015 – June 2017

Production History

Out in the Open was commissioned by Green Thumb Theatre in Vancouver in 2010 and premiered in the fall of 2011
The production received four Jessie Richardson Award nominations.
The play continued on to a second tour in 2012.
A new production by Guelph’s To Be Determined Theatre started touring in the fall of 2015.