Black Box Theater Presented Groundbreaking Play

Abraham Teuber ’18
March 13, 2018

In late February, the CDH Theater Department performed The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, a groundbreaking new play based on the novel by Mark Haddon. Curious Incident follows Christopher Boone, a teenager with autism, as he tries to find out who killed his neighbor's dog.

As the play unfolds, the audience gains a glimpse into Christopher's life and the lens with which he views the world. CDH set our play in the Black Box Theater, a more intimate setting which allows the audience to be immersed in the action, and which at times makes them feel overwhelmed. This was very intentional and was also done through the work and design of several very talented technicians. As a cast and crew, our vision for the show was to portray the life of someone who is autistic in a way which honors the diversity of the spectrum, as well as helps others to understand a unique and beautiful perspective which is far too often neglected.

I had the amazing opportunity to play the role of Christopher and treasured every single moment I spent working on this show with my fellow cast and crew. I've always enjoyed theater, but creating this piece was the most impactful theater experience I have had.

To see so many of my classmates come together, all of us having varying experience with autism in our own lives, was inspiring and beautiful. This show taught us all invaluable lessons about the beauty of difference and the importance of understanding, and although the process could be both emotionally and physically difficult at times, no feeling can replicate the satisfaction of ending a show and leaving your audience with a new and incredibly important perspective for them to consider.