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SOUNDSCAPES
by Claudia Haas & Sarah Kraining
Lily has synesthesia. She has no idea. At first, she simply thinks that everyone sees colors and shapes when music plays, but by the time she's a teenager, it's clear that others don't understand. Struggling to downplay the way she experiences the world, and worrying what it might mean to be different, the young artist is at war with herself until she meets a new friend - and he sees the colors too. An ensemble chorus of colors bring Iris' experience of discovering her neurodivergence to life in this triumphant, visually stunning coming-of-age story.
Characters
COLOR CHORUS, 4-9 people. All genders, ethnicities, races. They are the embodiment of LILY’s
synesthesia. They are alternately welcoming (during music interludes) and terrifying (during
sirens and other sudden loud noises). They are present whenever LILY’s synesthesia comes
into play. The COLOR CHORUS acts as a physical realization of LILY’s sensory experiences.
The stage directions for the COLOR CHORUS are suggestions. Feel free to adapt to your own needs.
LITTLE LILY, female, age 6-8. Imaginative, artistic child.
LILY, female, age 13-14. Young teen with synesthesia; starting to be confused by it.
MOTHER, female, age 34-44. Loving, concerned, sometimes confused by her daughter.
MARIEL, female, age 13-14. LILY’s best friend who is confused by LILY.
JESSICA, female, age 13-14. She needs to be popular at all costs.
AIDEN, male or female, age 13-14. Good-hearted, slightly nerdy friend to LILY.
FATHER, male, age 34-44.Pragmatic, loving father who unknowingly has synesthesia (Father
should double with DOCTOR who is just seen).
MONET, female or male, age 24-35. Well-meaning art teacher who is new to the field and
confused by LILY.
PSYCHOLOGIST, male, adult age. He is just seen administering the synesthesia test to LILY
andTony. He should be doubled with FATHER or CLASSMATES.
TONY, male, 14. A new friend of LILY’s who has synesthesia but doesn’t want to talk about it.
CLASSMATES, 4-12 people. All genders, ethnicities, races. These are the “voices” that LILY
hears behind her back. They differ from the COLOR CHORUS.