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This page is about Help Me (play). For other uses, see Help Me (disambiguation).

Help Me
Official poster for the World Premier of Help Me. A hand is outstretched in the middle of the dark blocking a stage light.
Written by	James Van Eaton
Based on	MeToo movement and the testimonials of www.whenwomenrefuse.tumblr.com
Characters	Joe Stella Amber Chloe Maya Layne Kristen Actor 1 Actor 2 Actor 3 Actor 4
Date premiered	October 6, 2023
Place premiered	The Ooley Theater, Sacramento, CA
Original language	English
Genre	Theatre
Setting	Modern

Help Me is a Black box theater play written by James Van Eaton in about 2018 to 2019. Help Me tells the story of a male college student named Joe who enters a hyper-realistic simulation and finds himself cast as a number of women, each faced with the daunting task of refusing the sexual advances of men. Employing what he sees as basic human logic and decorum, Joe attempts to resolve each confrontation, but soon realizes that without the authority of his male persona, the obstacles he faces and the people he encounters will be far more difficult and dangerous than he ever suspected.

Help Me is a meditation on a question whose answer seems so simple and obvious to those with male privilege: Why can’t you just tell them “No?” With scenarios that will ring true on both sides of the gender divide, Help Me is a dark and tensely dramatic exploration of human behavior that is ultimately hopeful. It is an attempt to open dialogue and promote contemplation on topics of supreme importance that, like the women Joe struggles to empathize with, are too often derided or dismissed. Only through deep understanding can Joe first hope to change his perspective, his expectations, and finally, his situation.

Original Cast

• Chad Eldridge as Joe
• Breona Calvert as Stella
• Taryn Cagley as Amber
• Rona Bernadette Arrogancia as Chloe and Hannah
• Ronnie Duska Fowler as Maya and Layne
• Tabitha Ward as Kristen
• Jackie Cheng as Actor 1 (plays multiple roles)
• Brevon “Ace” McArn as Actor 2 (plays multiple roles)
• Edward Nason as Actor 3 (plays multiple roles)
• Jared Cagley as Actor 4 (plays multiple roles)

Plot

Help Me tells the story of a male college student named Joe who enters a hyper-realistic simulation and finds himself cast as a number of women, each faced with the daunting task of refusing the sexual advances of men. Employing what he sees as basic human logic and decorum, Joe attempts to resolve each confrontation, but soon realizes that without the authority of his male persona, the obstacles he faces and the people he encounters will be far more difficult and dangerous than he ever suspected.

Productions

World Premier

The stage premiere of Help Me was directed by Emma Emma Eldridge, who was also the lighting designer. This was produced Emma Eldridge of FreeFall Stage productions. Taryn Cagley as Amber also choreographed the fight and assault scenes. Ronnie Duska Fowler as Maya and Layne, bringing a huge breadth of experience. Chad Eldridge was sought early to play Joe. Breona Calvert auditioned and cast as Stella. Tabitha Ward as Kristen. Rona Bernadette "Bernie" Arrogancia as Chloe and Hannah, she was found during emergency casting when previous actor fell through. Jackie Cheng's plays Actor 1 in multiple roles, after his first stint as Roderick Remley in "While the Lights Were Out." He said that it was a dream to work with "The S tier of Actresses" as he plays large scenes with Taryn and Ronnie. Brevon "Ace" McArn as Actor 2, after his audition and performance in "While the Lights Were Out" as Benjamin Braddock. Edward Nason as Actor 3, he had concerns about this subject matter but decided it was something he wanted to do. Jared Cagley as Actor 4, book ending the male actors.

FreeFall Stage collaborated with The Ooley Theater in Sacramento. During production, James Van Eaton had a Q&A with the cast. He said he found the play amazing, and that the cast brought the pages to life.

Themes and motifs

Feminism

Male dominance is one thematic element found in the play.