Off-Broadway Premiere for Mass Shooting Drama YOU AND ME
A powerful and timely new play titled YOU AND ME is preparing for its Off-Broadway world premiere this spring, offering audiences a dramatic exploration of grief, connection and the emotional aftermath of gun violence. Written and directed by Anthony M. Laura, the production will debut at A.R.T./New York’s Jeffrey and Paula Gural Theatre in New York City, beginning performances on April 22 and running through May 9, with an official opening night scheduled for April 26. The work represents a significant new voice in contemporary theatre by centering on the ripple effects of a school shooting and the human stories that unfold in its wake.
YOU AND ME is set in a small-town diner in upstate New York shortly after a mass shooting at a local school. Rather than depicting the events of the tragedy itself, the play focuses on what comes after. It follows a chance encounter between two young women whose lives have been deeply shaped by the violence: one is the twin sister of the shooter and the other is the girlfriend of the person responsible for the attack. Against the backdrop of ordinary conversations and shared routines in the café, the narrative unfolds in moments that are intimate, revealing and emotionally charged as these characters confront guilt, loss and the possibility of understanding.
The play’s premise reflects the growing role that theatre can serve in examining pressing social issues. By situating its story in the immediate aftermath of a school shooting, YOU AND ME aims to spark reflection on the complexities of trauma, community response and personal grief. Stories like this increasingly appear on stage, with theatre used as a space for audiences to grapple with difficult subjects such as violence, healing and connection in ways that extend beyond headlines and statistics. In doing so, the production joins other contemporary works exploring the human cost of gun violence while foregrounding character development and emotional nuance.
The cast assembled for the world premiere is composed of a wide range of actors, many of whom bring experience and depth to the roles. Brianne Buishas and Courtnie Keaton take leading positions in the ensemble. Buishas plays both Chloe, the sister of the mass shooter, and flashback scenes involving her twin, giving her a dual perspective on the fallout of the tragedy. Keaton portrays Mackenzie, the girlfriend of the shooter and one of the few survivors of the attack. Together these performers anchor the emotional core of the drama as their characters’ relationship evolves from discomfort and mistrust to an uneasy yet profound connection.
Supporting the leads are actors Delano Allen, Cole Bellorgey, Susan Neuffer, Rheanna Salazar, Isa Mellody, Cordelia Cornell, Winter Donnelly, Scarlett Gleason, Alexandra Rooney and Sydney Law, along with a large group of understudies and swings who bring additional dimensionality to the production. These performers depict residents of the community whose lives intersect in surprising ways on the day the play takes place. The scale of the cast reflects the ensemble nature of the piece and underscores how many lives can be touched by a single violent event.
In addition to its performers,YOU AND ME has assembled a strong creative team behind the scenes. Scenic design is by Jonas Harrison, who constructs the diner setting that serves as the play’s central environment. Lighting designer Sarah Woods shapes the visual tone and mood, while Philip Lauto handles both music and sound design to underline the atmosphere and emotional beats of the story. Mikayla Carleo is responsible for costume design, helping to define character identities through wardrobe, and Jamie Monahan serves as intimacy director, guiding how sensitive moments are handled on stage.
YOU AND ME is being produced by a team including Brianne Buishas, Jacklyn Collier, Emma Dubery, Laura himself and Kristen Seavey, with Susanne Sulby serving as associate producer. The production is presented under the banner of Face to Face Films, a company that has previously focused on vivid storytelling. This play marks one of their newest efforts to bring original contemporary works to the stage, continuing a commitment to narratives that reflect lived experience and societal questions.
The choice to premiere YOU AND ME Off-Broadway reflects both the experimental nature of the work and its intention to reach a wide audience, particularly in New York where theatregoers often engage with bold, issue-driven narratives. A.R.T./New York theatres are known for presenting both established and emerging voices in modern drama, making it a fitting home for a world premiere that seeks to add nuance and depth to conversations about trauma, memory and human connection.
As the April opening approaches, anticipation is building among critics and audiences alike. Early commentary on the play’s development suggests that its strength lies in its focus on character and dialogue rather than spectacle, allowing the emotional toll of the story to unfold at a human scale. Theatre has long been a forum for grappling with community issues, and YOU AND ME promises an experience that is reflective, intense and thought-provoking.
With its distinctive setting, layered characters and focus on the lived aftermath of a violent event, YOU AND ME is poised to be one of the most talked-about new plays of the season. It brings together a talented cast and creative team to explore the emotional terrain of loss and connection, inviting audiences to consider the far-reaching impact of violence on individuals and communities alike.
