CONFETTI KIDS • SATE

SATE opens its “Season of Motherhood” with a world premiere by London-based playwright, Aurora Behlke. Commissioned by the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival for the Confluence Regional Writers Project, Confetti Kids is a tight 90 or so minutes, and a fascinating watch, whether you’re familiar with its subject matter or not.

In the early 1940s, tons of uranium were processed at the Mallinckrodt Chemical Works plant just north of downtown St. Louis for World War II’s Manhattan Project. As a result of improperly stored nuclear waste near Lambert Airport, radioactive byproducts leached into North St. Louis County’s Coldwater Creek, exposing several municipalities and neighborhoods along the creek’s 19-mile stretch to significantly higher rates of cancers and autoimmune conditions. Decades of government authorities downplaying known risks have made remediation a long, difficult struggle for residents of affected neighborhoods -- a struggle that continues today. Cleanup efforts and investigations have been underway for years, despite federal agency foot-dragging.

Dr. Rachel Graves (Nicole Angeli) and
Maya Graves (Tia René Williams).
Photo credit: Joey Rumpell

This is the topic of discussion at a PTA meeting that’s oddly been scheduled on the same night as the prom. Maybe members of the EPA in attendance were hoping nobody would show up. One person who did show up is Dr. Rachel Graves (Nicole Angeli). She’s a nuclear scientist with a unique understanding of the dangers posed by radioactive waste and its lasting effects. She also spent years playing in or near Coldwater Creek in her childhood. Prepared with PowerPoints and a compelling history of events, Rachel’s expertise comes across in a performance by a reliably strong Angeli that is convincingly at ease and confidently precise. Rachel also takes time to read from her journal to those assembled, sharing stories of life with her daughter, Maya (Tia René Williams). Maya, meanwhile, is not across the hall attending prom, but still at home making repeated calls to her mom to try to catch a ride. Seems her friends have ghosted her. Williams parades all of the breeziness and magnified emotions associated with teenagers, where slights are forgiven and forgotten as easily as they’re incurred. 

Daniel (Adam Flores) and
Dr. Rachel Graves (Nicole Angeli).
Photo credit: Joey Rumpell

These journal readings initiate a series of flashbacks from Rachel’s recent past where we meet Daniel (an engaging Adam Flores), a doctor, friend and colleague. Amiable and easy-going, he’s seeing Rachel as a favor, but in each of their encounters, he presses her to action when he feels the need to. We also meet Vera, a plucky new teacher with a passion for baking. About a year into the job, she's on a sugar-high of enthusiasm, and played perfectly by Hailey Medrano.

Kristen Strom directs with a sure hand, smoothly transitioning from vignette to vignette against Erik Kuhn’s versatile scenic design. Eric Satterfield’s projections and Ellie Schwetye’s sound design give us poignant glimpses into Rachel’s early years and neatly inform different locations, with Theresa Comstock providing some very nice touches in her lighting design.

Dr. Rachel Graves (Nicole Angeli) and 
Vera (Hailey Medrano).
Photo credit: Joey Rumpell

The all-important preparations for prom and the threatening consequences of living near Coldwater Creek come to a head during the course of Confetti Kids, and it leaves you with an admiration for the tireless fight for environmental justice, and an appreciation for the little everyday victories between mothers and daughters. It’s playing at The Chapel until September 5th. Check it out!

Incidentals

• For more information about Coldwater Creek, you can check out Coldwater Creek Facts, the St. Louis County Department of Public Health, and Just Moms STL.

• There will be cookies.

Dr. Rachel Graves (Nicole Angeli) and
Maya Graves (Tia René Williams).
Photo credit: Joey Rumpell

CONFETTI KIDS

Written by Aurora Behlke

Directed by Kristen Strom

The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive

through Sept. 5 | tickets: $20 - $25

Performances Thursdays through Saturdays at 7pm

Cast

Dr. Rachel Graves: Nicole Angeli

Maya Graves: Tia René Williams

Daniel: Adam Flores

Vera: Hailey Medrano

Crew

Stage Manager: Jim Bernatowicz

Lighting Design: Theresa Comstock

Costume Design: Kayla Lindsay

Scenic Design: Erik Kuhn

Video/Projection Design: Eric Satterfield

Sound Design: Ellie Schwetye

Props: Cecile “Cece” Entz

Assistant Stage Manager: Tara Laurel

Master Electrician: Mason Hunt

Dramaturg: Keir Aitken

Graphic Design: Dottie Quick

Photographer: Joey Rumpell

Videographer: Brian Dooley

Co-Producers: Summer Baer, Ellie Schwetye, Rachel Tibbetts