Salt Lake Acting Company’s Form of a Girl Unknown Proves that Being Broken is An Opportunity to Find Connection

By Jason Hagey and Alisha Hagey

Salt Lake Acting Company demonstrates once again that they are master storytellers with their world premiere of Charly Evon Simpson’s Form of a Girl Unknown in Salt Lake City, Utah. The play explores the difficult and strange sojourn that is the transition from childhood to womanhood. Simpson does not shy away from the taboo, instead she emphasizes and normalizes them through the narrative. She gives a unique complexity and wit to what it means to be a blossoming woman. Form of a Girl Unknown probes into the adolescent experiences that shape each of us.

The story begins with Amali’s first period. She delves into a physical and emotional journey, leading us along through her development, all of which are an extension of this first moment. While the narrative is necessarily verisimilitudinous of reality, the tale is largely symbolic.

Everything is broken. Amali’s friendships are broken. Amanda Morris* (Amali) handles the transitions in emotion and thought, the different fragments of ideas, with fluid naturalism. She’s real and she feels like a twelve-year-old. Morris comes across precocious and, even in her most morbid obsessions, innocent and naive. Bradley Hatch (Finn) is a fantastic foil to Amali, capturing the prepubescent purity of a young man who is just learning about the sordid realities of growing up (including the male objectification of women). His friendship is genuine. Daisy Allred (Marina) is terrifically awkward while imploring Amali, desperately in search of repairing their fractured friendship.

Latoya Cameron* (Ma) and Aaliyah Ann* (Charise) create a loving yet disconnected family for Amali. Cameron is a busy mother who cares deeply about her children, but of necessity does not give them the time that they often want. Cameron demonstrates all of this in her portrayal, often getting the audience to forget that we are watching a fiction. Ann is the quintessential young adult, too early burdened with impending motherhood while still being a teenager. Her new foray into the world of adulthood is complicated (like Amali) being in transition. Ann plays this straddling between responsibility and adolescent sass with a deft normalcy that feels perfect.

Susanna Florence* (Dr G/Policewoman) rounds out the ensemble. She plays outsiders that briefly touch the lives of others. She offers moments that allow us to see into the minds of our young protagonists. Florence is a strong support and allows Morris and Hatch to flourish. 

Melissa Crespo (Director) creates a positively magical world. Her vision magnifies the text and is echoed through every character and each design element. In her director’s note she writes, “I often call Amali a detective or scientist, deciphering clues and conducting experiments in the laboratory of her world. But knowledge has limits, and that’s one of the lessons of the play. How do we find peace in the unknown? And in that place of mystery, what other ways can we fill the gap?” Using the dynamic characters as a springboard, Crespo answers her questions both in her note and through each moment of the show, “With love and lots of imagination.” Crespo’s imaginary world is full of safe and intriguing landscapes for audience and actors to explore.

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Pure genius inhabits Shoko Kambara’s** set. Her design is nothing short of perfection. It gives hints of urban and rural, of tree and book. It is unexpected and delightful. Kambara has such a unique vision of the story. Her set mirrors the journey of the characters while creating mystery and excitement in the viewer. When the pieces break apart, it isn’t broken but it is expanding. The world originally created opens up into something even more spectacular with each transition. It is worth coming to the play if for nothing more than to witness the brilliance of such creative and elegant design. 

In fact, all the design elements work so well in defining change. Alicia Washington (Costume Design) plays with childhood and adulthood, mixing patterns that are reminiscent of being young with lines that flirt with aging. Jessica Greenberg (Light Design) uses light as a moving metaphor. What begins dim can grow brighter during moments of clarity or drift off as confusion fills the characters minds. Jennifer Jackson (Sound Design) plays with imagination using the sounds of nature to hint at the journey taking place. Every note is subtle but brilliant. Together all elements paint a strong picture, giving further depth and sensory understanding to a complex story.

At its essence, Form of a Girl Unknown is about bridging connection, about the need for touch and acceptance. The piece deals with transition: life to death, childhood to adulthood, friendships broken or whole, and the acquisition of knowledge. Everything is broken but everything is interconnected too, like puzzle pieces. We are meant to complete each other. We are meant to have misunderstandings and falling outs, but still be whole, alone or united. Form of a Girl Unknown is a true joy and celebration of life. Come remember those moments of change by loving and laughing with Amali and the rest of the wonderful cast and crew at Salt Lake Acting Company. 

CONTENT ADVISORY: There is strong language throughout the production.

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors
**Represented by United Scenic Artists of the IATSE

Salt Lake Acting Company presents the Premiere of Form of a Girl Unknown by Charly Evon Simpson.
168 West 500 North, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84103
October 16-November 17, 2019, Wednesdays – Saturdays 7:30 PM, Sundays at 1:00 PM, 6:00 PM. Additional performances November 2 2:00 PM, November 9 2:00 PM, November 12 7:30 PM 
Tickets: $15 – 46, Group, student, and 30 & under discounts are available by calling or visiting the SLAC box office. 
Contact: 801-363-7522
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