DEVON'S HURT

  AVAILABLE FROM DRAMATIC PUBLISHING CO.                                 

                                  THE STORY

Eight year old Devon is having a terrible day. His mother yelled at him, his teacher thinks he's a pain and his classmate, Adam, punched him. Finally, Devon has a quarrel with his best friend, Stephanie, over who will train Devon's dog, Sam, for the upcoming neighborhood dog show. Stephanie storms off saying, "I hate you. You're the worst friend ever!" Devon is feeling feeling sorry for himself, wondering if it's true, when the closet door creaks open and out stumbles The Hurt, a funny little fellow in an oversized, beat up coat, the manifestation if Devon's feelings who won't go away. Even though Devon tries to ignore his Hurt, then tries to push the Hurt back in the closet, it is only when he accepts the Hurt that he understands the nature of his feelings. An engaging, humorous, fun-filled story of how Devon, with the help of his dog, Sam, learns to deal with his Hurt and reconcile his friendship with Stephanie. Devon's Hurt shares a serious but sweet message about dealing with our feelings, resolving conflicts and becoming a better friend. 

              CAST: 2 men, 1 woman. 1 man or woman

FROM SCOT COPELAND, FORMER ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, NASHVILLE CHILDREN'S THEATRE  

"Devon's Hurt is entertaining but it is not merely an entertainment. This play utilizes fantasy yet it is slice of life. This play is funny, but it is not merely a comedy. It is a play, in every sense of the word and it is a great one. Its plot is complex, its characters are substantive, its conflict is compelling, its moment of crisis has all the dramatic power of a plunge in ice water. Four-year-olds who walk out of Devon's Hurt have something to say about it, my friends, because they know Devon and Stephanie, they want to know Sam and boy, do they know The Hurt. .. This is a little play about two kids and a dog practicing for the dog show...but the truth, as they say, is in the telling." 

"Devon's Hurt respects the emotional lives of children... its spirit, vitality and humor delight and challenge its audience. Teachers and school counselors told us: "We've been working on conflict resolution. This just what our schools needs."  

           --Patricial Moore Zimmer, Eastern Michigan          

                       University, Theatre for the Young