The Earth Is Flat is a coming-of-age story (written by Todd Almond and directed by Maddox Bane) that follows purple-haired Ethan as he takes his first tentative steps toward self-knowledge. Day one, he meets his roommate, Derek, who is popular, social, and seems to have it all together. Day two, Ethan’s brother dies in an accident, sending Ethan back home to deal with his ambitious sister and his pill-addicted mother. While there, Derek and Ethan write letters in which Derek reveals he has become obsessed with conspiracy theories about the earth being flat. When Ethan returns to college, he and Derek share a kiss, but Derek isn’t gay, and Ethan’s embarrassment propels him further toward the theories. Will he and Derek ever repair their friendship? Will college ever be “normal”?
Program InformationSynopsis
The Earth Is Flat follows Ethan, an unanchored college freshman who is still reeling from his brother’s sudden death right after move-in day. Dragged home by grief, he holds onto an unexpected and sometimes surprisingly funny letter exchange with his charming roommate Derek, who is diving deeper into flat-earth theories that are both ridiculous and strangely honest. When Ethan finally makes it back to campus, the dynamic between them shifts in a way neither of them fully understands, pushing both to rethink what they want and what they’re afraid of. The Earth Is Flat blends real heartbreak with moments of sharp humor to show how people reach for anything in a time of grief and self-discovery, whether it is logic, distraction, or connection, when their world stops making sense.
Cast
ETHAN – Reagan McComas
DEREK – Evan Danyliw
JENNIFER – Saylor Swick
SHELLY – Dori Solamurovic
GUY WHO LOOKS LIKE JEREMY – Diego Lopez
JAMES / ANDRE / JEREMY CALWIRTH – Nolan Zellermayer
HALEY / WORK-STUDY KID – Dey Chante
MARK / KURT / KEVIN – Tyler Keough
Production Credits
DIRECTOR – Maddox Bane
STAGE MANAGER – Alyse Negroni
