The University of Iowa Department of Theatre Arts will present Good Kids by Naomi Iizuka as part of a rolling premiere commissioned by the Big Ten Theatre Consortium.

This production will be on stage at 8 p.m. Feb. 5-7 and 11-14, and at 2 p.m. Feb. 8 and 15 in the David Thayer Theatre, UI Theatre Building (200 N. Riverside Drive, Iowa City).

Something happened to Chloe after the party last Saturday night. Something she says she can’t remember. Something everybody at school is talking about. Was she raped? Did she ask for it? How could those boys do that to her? Or did they? Set in a high school in the American Midwest in a world of Facebook and Twitter, smart phones, and YouTube, Good Kids explores a casual sexual encounter gone wrong and its very public aftermath. Who’s telling the truth? Whose version of the story do you believe? And what does that say about you?

(Warning: This production contains discussion of sexual violence, which may be triggering to some individuals.)

“I don’t think there could be a more timely play than Good Kids,” says director Alan MacVey, head of the UI Division of Performing Arts. “It grows right out of today’s headlines and speaks about problems that affect individuals and institutions, as well as our country as a whole. It does so with the energy, humor, and deep feelings that are characteristic of young people everywhere. It’s a privilege to work on it with this talented cast.”

Good Kids is the first in series of plays that are being commissioned by the Big Ten Theatre Consortium as part of the Big Ten New Play Initiative. This initiative aims to commission plays from outstanding American female playwrights featuring large casts and outstanding, age-appropriate roles for young women. The consortium hopes to bring into being, produce, and make available engaging works on topics relevant to college audiences. Good Kids is being presented by nine of the Big Ten schools this year, with more productions scheduled in the future.

“The plays that interest me most, the theatre that interests me most, are those plays that set questions in motion without landing on definitive answers,” says playwright Iizuka in a conversation with dramaturg Lukas Brasherfons. “Because if an audience after seeing Good Kids walks out into the lobby and has disagreements, and has concerns, and has perspective-shifts that are uncomfortable and difficult, I think that's healthy. I think the way in which you change assumptions about sexual assault and about what your role is in a situation like this is one conversation at a time, really.”

A conversation with members of the cast, the Women’s Resource & Action Center, and the Rape Victim Advocacy Program will follow the performance.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact the Hancher Box Office in advance at 319-335-1158.