Marly Moore/The Mossy Log
This fall, the Lewis & Clark Theater Department selected “Rain and Zoe Save the World” as its
mainstage production. Written by playwright and comic book author Crystal Skillman, this show
follows the story of two teenagers on a journey of self-discovery and climate activism. The show
will debut at Fir Acres Theater on Friday, Oct. 31.
“Rain and Zoe Save the World” is a workshop production, and the LC theater department has
been collaborating with Skillman and guest director, Tracy Francis to further develop the story.
Assistant Stage Manager Marly Moore ’26 shared how rewarding it has been to work with
professionals on a college stage production.
“It feels really cool and special to be seen as somewhat of an equal and as a theater
professional,” Moore said. “I feel like a lot of things about (the show) are pretty unique as
opposed to what we have done with other mainstage shows.”
While working with a professional director and playwright has provided theater students with
new opportunities, challenges have arisen as well. Quinn Newberry ’26 is portraying one of the
two lead characters, Rain, as a part of her senior theater thesis. She noted how difficult it can be
for actors to succeed in the face of lots of last-minute changes.
“I auditioned for the show with a very different script than what we have now, and that may or
may not have changed if I wanted to do the show,” Newberry explained. “(We) have had to talk
to the playwright and go back and forth … and then the vision is not as cohesive as it probably
should be.”
On top of other challenges, Newberry revealed that there have been issues with honoring
gender identities behind the scenes. At LC, many actors are able to make creative changes to a
production to better align with their gender. Newberry’s role as Rain is the first time she has been
cast to play a woman in a performance. However, she acknowledged that this production has
failed to feel empowering.
“People have had very positive experiences with showing their identity,” Newberry said. “I
was super excited to get to explore it to that level, and it was just a lot of misgendering…This is
one of the first roles that I’ve played that aligns exactly with my gender identity, so it’s a little bit
disheartening.”
On the other hand, Newberry said that aesthetics, visuals and costumes are one of her favorite
parts of the show.
“The aesthetics are very fun,” Newberry said. “It will be a very pretty show and I’m very
happy with where Simon (Listiak ’27, playing the role of Zoe) and I have been able to come
together and make that story with each other, knowing that the aesthetics are going to be like (a)
comic book.”
Moore expressed similar excitement surrounding the production’s unique technical method.
“We’ve been working with projections and stuff, which is something that I’ve never worked
with,” Moore said. “We are also doing a live feed of filming on stage during the show.”
Beyond the beautiful visuals and a scrappy comic book style, Newberry maintains that “Rain
and Zoe Save the World” succeeds in capturing themes surrounding love, resistance and personal
ideals. Although the show seems to focus on environmental activism, Newberry said the heart of
the play centers on the complex relationship between the two main characters.
“It’s interesting because (the play) opens and ends with this idea of resistance and protest, but
the rest of the show does not take place at a protest at all … it is just two kids trying to do the
best they can with what they have,” Newberry said. “At the end of the day, it’s love and
connection that bring people together, not necessarily big rallies and protests.”
Tickets for “Rain and Zoe Save the World” are now on sale and can be purchased online or at
the box office. Performances will be held at the Fir Acres Mainstage on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at
7:30 p.m. and Nov. 6-8 at 7:30 p.m., with an additional matinee on Nov. 2 at 2:00 p.m.
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