Cathedral City, CA
Coachella Valley Repertory (CVRep) is calling on local high school actors to audition for Power Play, a powerful one-act drama by Canadian playwright Lindsay Price that confronts the realities of youth bullying and gun violence. The production will be staged October 7–10 in recognition of National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month.
Directed by CVRep’s Director of Conservatory and Youth Programs, Howard Shangraw, Power Play features a cast of high school students who will work alongside professional designers, directors, and crew. Auditions will be held Friday, August 29, from 4–7 p.m., and Saturday, August 30, from 11 a.m.–4 p.m., at CVRep’s home at 68510 E. Palm Canyon Drive in Cathedral City. Students should prepare a short monologue or be ready to read from the script.
A Play with Urgent Themes
The drama portrays the struggles of five archetypal high school characters: Bitter, the sharp-witted goth; Belly, the humorous survivor; Brawn, the confident football star; Beauty, the self-proclaimed “most popular”; and Breaker, the withdrawn but intelligent outsider. Price’s play examines how these labels box students in—and what happens when those boxes explode under the pressures of bullying, verbal abuse, and violence.
“Violence is all about power. So is high school,” Price explains. “Power Play forces audiences to confront how bullying and abuse can escalate to tragedy. School violence is real and happens every day.”
The staging includes intense action and a realistic—but non-functioning—gun prop, with a pre-recorded gunshot sound effect. Organizers caution that the subject matter is graphic and emotionally charged.
Free Student Performances and Community Dialogue
Performances will be held October 7–10 at 10:30 a.m. for student audiences. Admission is free, and CVRep will provide buses to transport students. Each performance will conclude with a Q&A session featuring the cast, crew, CVRep Executive Artistic Director Adam Karsten, and Shangraw. Study guides and discussion materials will also be provided to schools to foster ongoing conversations.
“Bullying is responsible for youth suicides and school shootings. At least one in five kids is bullied,” said Shangraw. “By addressing this behavior at the youngest age possible, perhaps we can turn the tide. With honest storytelling, student participation, and support from schools, we can make progress.”
Performance and Ticket Information
- Auditions: August 29 (4–7 p.m.) & August 30 (11 a.m.–4 p.m.)
- Rehearsals: September 17–October 4
- Performances: October 7–10 at 10:30 a.m. (student shows free; public tickets $10 plus fees)
- Location: Coachella Valley Repertory, 68510 East Palm Canyon Dr., Cathedral City
- Tickets & Info: www.cvrep.org | (760) 296-2966 ext. 105
CVRep, the only professional regional theater in the Coachella Valley with Small Professional Theatre status under Actor’s Equity, continues its mission to present socially relevant theater and enrich the cultural life of the region.