Stories from Generation X (Y, Z...)

Sex in the '90s. Getting a job. Living on the information superhighway. These are just a few of the issues and concerns explored in "Stories from Generation X (Y, Z...)"

Written by Joan Lipkin and directed by Annamaria Pileggi, who were both Artists-in-Residence at Washington University in St. Louis, at the time, "Stories from Generation X (Y, Z...)" asks what it means to be a young American coming of age at this moment in history.

Lipkin and Pileggi developed the play through a semester-long Performing Arts Department course called "New Performance Workshop." The play draws upon original research, personal experience and a variety of contemporary theatrical techniques, including many concepts that were explored during workshop exercises.

"With theatre increasingly experiencing competition from other forms of entertainment, we wanted to explore a work that had broad appeal but also engaged students, both as performers and spectators," said Lipkin. "While acknowledging that certain generational issues apply to many coming-of-age stories, our piece also asks how we can write and stage this particular moment in history for young adults. Obviously, some things are the same as they were for their parents. But some things, like the AIDS epidemic or the employment picture, are very, very different."

Some of the characters featured include a recent Chinese immigrant whose brother was killed in Tiananmen Square, a rising female executive from a broken family, a rape victim and a young gay man whose bisexual lover was just diagnosed as HIV positive.

Lipkin and Pileggi describe "Generation X (Y, Z...)" as an experimental piece that has benefited greatly from the assistance, the input and the perspectives of a broad range of students and faculty.

Because of sexual language and graphic violence, "Generation X (Y, Z...)" is recommended for mature audiences only.

Following production at Washington University, the play toured to the Seattle Fringe Festival, where it was a recommended pick.