You, Me, and a Bit of Driftwood is a comedic drama about Rose and Cooper as they navigate their relationship, career, hobbies, personal challenges, friendships and family dynamics through the challenging backdrop of the pandemic. It is a roller coaster relatable journey of human connection, love, laughter, honesty, frustration, grief, hope and transitioning within oneself to avoid drifting through life with no direction. It is not a play about the pandemic, it is a play about love and relationships. You will laugh and you will cry.
The play is unique in that it brings film and theatre together on stage to reflect the author's, and many others, perspective of the lockdown restrictions. The play features both actors live on stage (4 main actors) and virtual (14 supporting actors) brought into the play through digital meeting platforms and videotelephony applications displayed on an on-stage screen. The virtual connections can be pre-recorded segments or actors can be filmed in real-time in a separate off-stage area. Theatre companies have the creative freedom to adapt the use and type of film and technology to suit stage and budget parameters, and possibly accommodate artistic grant requirements.
Keywords:Â hope, relationships, love, pandemic, diversity, journey, technology, virtual, covid, driftwood, family, community theatre
You, Me, and a Bit of Driftwood premiered at The Roxy Theatre (Owen Sound, Ontario) as an Owen Sound Little Theatre (OSLT) production on the 23rd of February 2023 for seven nights. Producers interested in the technical process followed by Owen Sound Little Theatre, please contact us to connect with the playwright.
Genre: Comedic Drama
Acts: 2
Run time: 110 minutes
Content note: Contains swearing, some minor intimacy, mature themes. Suitable for community theatre.
Cast size: 4 actors
Male roles: 1
Female roles: 3
Other roles: 14
Casting note:Â The play is unique in that it brings film and theatre together on stage to reflect the author's, and many others, perspective of the lockdown restrictions. The play features both actors live on stage (4 main actors) and virtual (14 supporting actors) brought into the play through digital meeting platforms and videotelephony applications displayed on an on-stage screen. The virtual connections can be pre-recorded segments or actors can be filmed in real-time in a separate off-stage area. Theatre companies have the creative freedom to adapt the use and type of film and technology to suit stage and budget parameters, and possibly accommodate artistic grant requirements.
Directors are encouraged during casting to reflect the diversity of their community, adjusting the characters in the play to reflect diverse casting choices. Actors of all ethnicities should be considered for all roles. The playwright supports equity and inclusion for all individuals, casting regardless of experience within the industry, gender, age, race, sexual orientation, and physical ability. This includes but is not limited to, any individuals identifying as IBPOC , LGBTQIA2S+ , living with disabilities, and/or facing other systemic barriers in this industry.
"This heartwarming rom-com with a side of drama has something for everybody, and you won’t want to miss this home-grown gem!"
- Rrampt
"The play... addresses many of the real-life situations people went through during the pandemic."
- Owen Sound Sun Times