Florida Rep presents Bulletproof Backpack Aug. 11-15

Florida Repertory Theatre presents Bulletproof Backpack by Eric Coble as part of the Education Department’s 2021-2022 Conservatory season. Conceived and directed by Florida Rep education director Kody C Jones, the new play runs Aug. 11 – 15 in the Historic Arcade Theatre and features a cast of local teens and young professionals. Tickets are $25 and $20.

Bulletproof Backpack is a world-premiere co-commission with Oregon Children’s Theatre and comes from the same creative team behind 2018’s hard-hitting new play for young audiences, Refugee. Conceived by Kody C Jones and written by Broadway playwright, Eric Coble, Bulletproof Backpack began as a student-driven social-conflict project.

It’s meant to create a platform for students to research, discuss, and interview the Southwest Florida community on the subject of gun violence in schools.

Written with contributions from local students, the play intertwines student feedback and interviews into a fictional story where the characters seek to answer the most important question, “How can I feel safe in my school?”

Performances in the Historic Arcade Theatre are Aug. 11 – 15 at 7 p.m. and Aug. 14 and 15 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are available at www.FloridaRepEducation.org or by calling 239-332-4488