About The Play
About Affirmations
"Affirmations" is a 5-minute play written by Elena Eli Belyea for Climate Change Theater Action 2021.
The play was inspired by Mark Ravenhill's pool (no water), and is written without any stage directions or dialogue tags.
"Affirmations" is being staged at C.O.F.F.E.E. as a collective reading meant to foster connections between audiences members, as well as give audience members a chance to reflect on their own personal histories.
How It Works: Each participant is given a copy of "Affirmations", and they must read two to three lines at a time, but they will not be assigned. People should speak when they feel compelled. It's okay if multiple people speak at once!
About the Playwright
Elena (or Eli) Belyea (they/she) is a queer playwright, performer, producer, and arts educator from Amiskwaicy-wâskahikan (colonially known as Edmonton) whose plays have been produced across North America. She splits her time in between Moh'kins'tis (Calgary), Tkaronto (Toronto), and Tio'tia:ke (Montreal). They are also half of queer sketch comedy duo “Gender? I Hardly Know Them” (on Tiktok and Instagram at @genderihardlyknowthem). Find out more at elenabelyea.com + tinybearjaws.com.
Director's Note
This collective reading of "Affirmations"by Elena Belyea was realized by Anne-Sophie Vandenberk '23 and Kate Hoag '23 of Skidmore College. After reading the 50, five-minute plays that were submitted to CCTA this year we found ourselves drawn to Elena Belyea's "Affirmations". We admired how to piece could be staged in a variety of ways, and the room that the piece leaves for reflection. We hope that our collective reading of the piece will allow the audience members to form connections and a greater appreciation for the land we are situated on. After, giving the audience time to reflect, we hope to encourage our audience members to take care of the land we are situated on by showing them the ways they can be involved with sustainable practices on Skidmore's campus.