Student Body
About the show
The Flea Theatre presents the world premiere of a new mystery/thriller about ten students trapped together in a storm on one fateful night. More…
Ten students meet as a winter storm approaches to discuss what happened at the party that night. One of them knows, and no one’s leaving until they all figure out what to do about it. By the end of the night, friendships are tested, allegiances change, and choices are made. The right thing to do is hard to figure out. This world premiere production will be directed by Michelle Tattenbaum and will feature the Bats, the resident acting company at The Flea.
"This play is powerfully directed by Michelle Tattenbaum and wonderfully acted by the members of The Bats. I wish this show on every junior high and high school student, this is an issue that needs to be talked about not hidden in the dark or under the rug. This is happening everyday in this country and this play is relevant and well done. Bravo Bats." Full Review
"A little more fear and danger could go a long way. 'Student Body' is something so fascinating that it may intrigue you to attend a second time just to key into individual performances with the knowledge of what will happen. The discussion of campus rape cases is sadly a topic that will not see an ending anytime soon so this psychological drama could not have arrived at a more perfect time." Full Review
"The plot offers few surprises, but Winters constructs it succinctly, keeping the focus on the difficult ethical questions, not on teary confessions of knowledge or guilt. After all, if nailing one culprit solved much, it wouldn't make for such interesting drama." Full Review
"Up top, there are some rough patches...Sometimes, the cast feels composed of stereotypes, like the jock, the nerd, or the party girl...'Student Body' does more than just deploy a contemporary issue to theatrical effect—it makes you think carefully about systematic inadequacies and asks you to question your own attitudes. That it can leave you feeling angry, frustrated, and exhausted after only an hour speaks to its success, making it a timely contribution to an important dialogue." Full Review
"It’s hard to imagine a play better suited to the demography of the Bats, the Flea’s resident actors, or the space in which they play and lounge and bang to Michelle Tattenbaum’s lived-in staging...Pared down to perfection, this pressure cooker is a prudent pick for colleges looking for something edgy on a budget, and it’s not a bad start to the Flea’s fall season either." Full Review
"'Student Body' is a fast-moving and generally engaging drama of high-tension exchanges by a writer of real talent, but its taut structure wants a little more fleshing out. Still, it's good enough to make me eager to see what he does next." Full Review
"This subject matter is inarguably relevant right now. With instances of sexual abuse on college campuses coming to the forefront of the media, this play is unsettlingly pertinent. The Bats handle this dense, dramatic material gracefully...Winters’ script, though dynamic, is not without issues...At times, the conversation becomes clunky and unfocused. Though perhaps this is suitable for the situation, it makes for a long, one hour play. In the end, 'Student Body', left me appropriately unsett... Full Review
"Mr. Winters’s understanding of sexual assault on campuses is not particularly sophisticated. At times, 'Student Body' has the flavor of an After School Special. Many of the arguments and counterarguments will seem familiar. But under Michelle Tattenbaum’s direction, there is truthfulness to the group dynamics" Full Review
See it if you like tense naturalism. Great use of a big cast, lots of moral dilemmas with a cliff hanger ending. Acting was superb, riveting story.
Don't see it if you don't like intense arguments with some shouting. you don't like big casts. you want something upbeat. you don't want to be challenged.
See it if you like to see fantastic acting and writing, you like to discover fantastic writers before they've made it big, you want to think
Don't see it if you want to see a big Broadway musical
See it if You are interested in the complex meaning of trust and the moral dilemmas we face as humans on a daily basis. The writing was exceptional!
Don't see it if You don't want to stand outside the Flea for 90 minutes after the play talking about your own choices, that's how deeply we related to it!
See it if You like theater that makes you think about serious subjects without taking itself too seriously. Very classical.
Don't see it if You are in the mood for light entertainment.
Cast & Creatives (20)
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