Although the foundation of “self” rests in a set of personality traits, who we are is also a function of the roles we take on (big sister, gay rights activist, artist, etc), and the values we hold, given our upbringing, cultural heritage, and life experiences. These identifiers can change and shift, especially when we’re teenagers. Adolescence brings new freedoms, new responsibilities, and heightened self-awareness. What’s my ideal self? Do I measure up? How do I feel about myself? How do others feel about me?
Whether we think we know who we are, what’s important to us, or where our future is headed, life inevitably unfolds. In each of these stories the main character’s sense of self undergoes an eye-opening transformation. Each author examines how different individuals respond to another person’s influence or to impactful events. These coming-of-age stories call attention to the startling turning point that bids us “to step forward into growth or step back into safety” (Abraham Maslow).
A woman in Los Angeles waits for her turn to “testify” at a church event. While she waits and plans what to say, the stories of her life and family blend with the trauma of her ancestors. Performed by Diana Maria Riva.
A boy with six fingers on each hand goes through life ashamed of being different. When old-world magic fails to solve his problem, an unexpected solution appears. Performed by Richard Cabral.
A closeted young man in Los Angeles goes on a date with his boss, then prepares for his second date, while trying to keep it a secret from his family. Performed by Remy Ortiz.
A young man with a supernatural talent for finding lost objects is swept along on a journey of self discovery wherein he comes face to face with what it truly means to be lost. Performed by Justin Chambers.
A fierce young woman working at an animal shelter in Spanish Harlem takes on the most emotionally wrenching jobs, raising questions about what it means to be heroic. Performed by Samantha Mathis.
The summer before a family’s world unravels, Meg and her two sisters navigate the complexities of adolescence against the backdrop of a looming divorce. Performed by Cassidy Freeman.
After a young teen is diagnosed with a life threatening hole in his heart, an intrepid friend feeds his curiosity about nature. Performed by Damian Lewis.