Gateway Arts’ latest play, I and You, is a timely message, produced by Priscilla Khong-Espinosa and directed by Samantha Scott-Blackhall, to address pressing issues among youths living behind digital screens now.
I and You focus on the lives of two students. Caroline suffers from liver disease and stays home from school a lot, while Anthony is charming, and confident, does well academically and is the star basketball player on the school team. Yet, they manage to become friends after Anthony turns up at Caroline’s doorstep with a copy of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass – the polar opposites discover they have similarities.
The play examines the mental well-being of many teenagers who isolate themselves (in their rooms or homes) and rely on the internet, social media and online games as their primary source of connections. This coming-of-age story is for the iGen youths of today who are faced with unchartered waters when navigating interpersonal relationships digitally behind closed doors or a mask during the pandemic, and the adults who are parents struggling to understand their own iGen’ers at home.
Some struggle to manage or even share their feelings of isolation that the pandemic has brought about. They end up with social anxiety and withdrawal, enjoying less intimacy and a sense of companionship in their friendships.
I and You hope to inspire and support youths to identify and fight for their dreams and passions while maintaining a healthy mental and emotional mindset.
If you are familiar with this award-winning play by American playwright Lauren Gunderson, don’t spoil it for your friends. I would recommend everyone to take some time to catch this wonderful piece and ponder about the everyday lives behind the digital screens.
– Editor
I and You will play live in theatre from 20 to 28 May 2022 at Black Box, Gateway Theatre. Tickets are priced at S$35 (excluding the booking fee), sold through, the ticketing hotline: (65) 6348 5555 and authorised agents. Its digital recording will be available for secondary and tertiary schools, youth groups, and corporate and voluntary welfare organisations that book directly with Gateway Arts.