KEY WESTERS REVEAL REAL-LIFE SECRETS IN

‘I CONFESS’

THE STUDIOS PRESENTS THE PLAY APRIL 13-15

The secrets Key Westers keep will be revealed on stage April 13-15 at The Studios of Key West. In partnership with New York City-based artist Hurricane Alaina, The Studios presents “I Confess,” a 75-minute production in which the anonymous confessions of locals — along with secrets collected from all over the country — are retold onstage by a cast of professional actors.

Earlier this season, Alaina Albertson, who goes by “Hurricane Alaina,” put out a call to Key West, inviting islanders to submit their secrets through an anonymous online portal. Funny, heartbreaking, uplifting, and sometimes shocking, the selected confessions were then edited down and artfully assembled into a play.

“This project was inspired by Tennessee Williams’ little known gem, ‘Confessional,’ a play in which characters share their innermost thoughts directly with the audience,” said Alaina. “After spending some time in Key West, appearing at The Studios as an actor in three of Williams’ lesser-known, one-act plays, I felt the need to push my own work forward in a new way. Williams is so intimately connected with Key West that it seemed like a perfect place to stage the fifth rendition of ‘I Confess,’ a project that has seen so much success in other locations.”

The confessions run the gamut from repressed memories to joyful epiphanies. But whether someone who has submitted a confession sees their story dramatized on stage or not, the themes running through the pieces will resonate with everyone.

“What I love about this piece is its ability to move audiences from laughter to tears all in the same breath,” continued Alaina. “There’s something incredible about giving people a chance to reveal closely guarded secrets — anonymously, yes, but in a way that helps us all recognize how very much we all have in common.”

“I Confess” stars New York Citybased actors Albertson, Emmanuel Achigbu and Hari Bhaskar, as well as Key West actors Kitty Clements and Jeffrey Johnson.

Audiences should note that “I Confess” may include descriptions of substance abuse, sexual situations, sexual violence, dysphoria and self-harm.

— Contributed ‘I CONFESS’ April 13-15

The Studios of Key West Tickets: tskw.org or 305-296-0458.

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

The Scoreboard

JACK HAGGARD

This Week In Keys Sports

Weekly

Senior, Key West Baseball

On a team that stands out, it is difficult to be a standout player, but that’s just what Key West senior Jack Haggard has done with his bat this season. Haggard leads the Conchs in batting average (.465) and hits (20, three of which are triples). With a little more than half the season to go, he also leads the team in RBIs with 16. The threat he poses to opposing teams doesn’t end once he reaches a base; Haggard has successfully stolen seven this season, leading the Conchs in that category, too. For his dependability at the plate and explosive offensive play, Jack Haggard is this week’s Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

RAIN BANKS

Junior, Marathon

Banks has been a staple of Marathon’s varsity team since the sixth grade and only gets better each year. She was Marathon’s leading goal scorer as a defensive midfielder. Banks netted 20 goals and 11 assists as the top scorer in the FHSAA’s 3A District 16, made even more impressive by the fact that Marathon played fewer games than most other schools in the district. “Having Rain on our team is like having an extra coach,” said Marathon head coach Tracy McDonald. “She scored most of her goals under double- and tripleteam pressure and still managed to run our offense. Rain is truly a special player.”

JORDAN MacDONALD

Sophomore, Marathon MacDonald scored nine goals and was credited with nine assists this season for the Lady Fins. With the ability to score with both feet from anywhere south of the 50yard line, MacDonald was a huge asset to Marathon. “Jordan has really developed into a more defensive player this season, which has helped us tremendously,” said McDonald. “She is completely unselfish, and her willingness to drop back and fight for possession has made us a far better team this year.”