Brad Slaight Knihy

Focusing on the experiences of middle school students, this play is part of Brad Slaight's "class" cycle, following the themes of its predecessors. It features a flexible cast of 10 characters, allowing for diverse representation and engagement. Set in a contemporary junior high, the narrative delves into the challenges and dynamics faced by young adolescents, emphasizing their growth and interactions within a school environment. The simple set design complements the ensemble-driven storytelling, making it accessible for young actors.

The book showcases a curriculum designed for young actors, developed at the prestigious Young Conservatory of the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. It emphasizes innovative techniques and methodologies tailored to nurture the skills of aspiring performers, providing valuable insights into the art of acting.

The narrative captures the emotional and social growth of middle school students transitioning from childhood to adulthood. Through vivid scenes and monologues, their resilience shines as they navigate the complexities of pre-teen and early teen years. The school year serves as a backdrop for their development, highlighting both academic and personal challenges, ultimately portraying a journey of self-discovery and maturation.

An an orientation camp for new teenage clones, teens are sent to "Camp I.M.U." fresh from the lab to make a transition into the world of the "Originals" who have ordered them made. The newest "Copy" (a word they prefer to "clone") to arrive is a very bright and positive teenager named Michael who soon realizes what the other copies in his cottage have known for awhile - that their stay at the camp is much longer than they had thought. Michael befriends a rebellious Copy named Melissa, who does not get along with her Original and refuses to change her attitude in order to please her. She informs Michael, and the other Copies, that she is going to escape from the camp and fight for what she calls "copy rights". This is a story right out of tomorrow's headlines. Not good at math? Have a clone of yourself made from your own DNA, but gifted in math to do your problems for you. Need a spare part for the future? Your clone is a walking talking parts store. Copies explores the heart and soul of clones, bred specifically to do all those things you don't want to do.