Watch the youth climate theater production premiering this September 16-17 in NYC as part of NYC Climate Week.

If the Bells Would Ring is a two-act political drama about the climate crisis. The 100-minute long play addresses political corruption, collective passion, passivity, family, and persistence. It follows the relentless modern-day climate movement and traces power from a handshake to a hurricane. The story is based on true events, incorporating prose and poetry into its dialogue. The plot follows the evolution of a fictional Midwestern Senator’s career. The audience sees firsthand how corporate greed and the desire to maintain control influences Senator Bill Corley, eventually leading to his intense opposition to climate action. The play explores other narratives such as that of Bill’s family, including his daughter Juliet, a passionate young climate activist, his wife Katherine, and their son Walker. Other prominent characters include T.V. show personality Jennifer Clyde, corporate lobbyist Alec Spencer, Shina Hyde, and young Congresswoman fighting for climate action.

The production of If the Bells Would Ring is entirely youth run and organized. Fridays for Future USA, Ecosystemic Magazine, as well as many other youth climate groups sponsoring the play, see words and art as a necessary tool to combat the ecological, economic, and social crisis we are facing. Movements become strongest when we can reveal the underlying humanity behind the issues inflicting so much damage. Why do we chase power? What does this lead to? When do we become complacent and when do we start to care? If the Bells Would Ring uses the theater as a space for the audience to experience a protest, the news, and the classroom. Our audiences will have the chance to sit back and connect with topics that usually only cross their minds as headlines or concepts.

There are multiple showings of the play: September 16 at 9:30 PM, September 17 at 12:00 PM and 9:30 PM.

Buy tickets for the event here.