Raising Brave Voices: ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence

On Monday, October 6, 2025, Orlando Family Stage will join theaters and schools across the country for the 4th Nationwide Reading of ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence — an evening that places teen voices at the center of one of the most urgent issues facing young people today.

Since 2020, Orlando Family Stage has participated in this powerful theatre for social change initiative through our Teen Perspectives Lab, giving youth in Central Florida the opportunity to use theatre as a tool for expression, dialogue, and change.

Founded in 2019 by director Michael Cotey, ENOUGH! calls on teens to write bold new short plays that confront the epidemic of gun violence. More than 700 plays have been submitted in the past four years, reflecting the courage and creativity of young writers from across the country.

This year, six plays were chosen by a national selection committee that included playwrights Kate Hamill, James Ijames, Karen Zacarías, Broadway dramaturg Ken Cerniglia, author Jason Reynolds, and Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. These works address school shootings, officer-involved shootings, domestic violence, unintentional shootings, and suicide, allowing young people to explore the emotional, social, and political dimensions of gun violence in ways that statistics and news stories cannot.

Why This Matters

Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for American children and teens. ENOUGH! is about listening to young people, acknowledging their lived experiences, and creating space for communities to reflect together.

As Linda Coffin of the League of Women Voters has said:

“For teens to be able to create a play about gun violence gives them a safe and creative space to process an issue that directly affects their lives and communities…By writing and performing, teens can express their own voices, raise awareness, and encourage empathy among audiences who might otherwise struggle to understand their experiences. 

Creating a play also empowers youth to engage in difficult conversations, imagine solutions, and inspire change, while at the same time fostering resilience, collaboration, and hope.

Or as Laura Buck of Moms Demand Action reminds us:

“Events like ENOUGH give our youth a creative outlet to deal with this epidemic… Storytelling can be a powerful tool to share experiences and express feelings about such a heartbreaking topic.”

What to Expect in Orlando

Our Black Box Theatre will host this year’s reading of the six selected plays:

Oh Look, Another School Shooting! by Matias Finley (Wisconsin)

The Perfect Victim by Payton Aurora Jones (California)

We Didn’t Have to Meet Here by Pace Rundlett (Mississippi)

Nobody Cares About Death by Ian Hodges (Florida)

Under Wraps by Olivia Stanley (Texas)

Holding Space by Abby Dougherty (Georgia)

Following the performance, audiences will be invited to stay for an actor talkback and to engage with a Resource & Reflection Packet designed to help families, educators, and students continue the conversation beyond the theatre. This packet was developed by Kaila Cohen, Theatre for Young Audiences graduate student from the University of Central Florida. Kaila emphasizes how important community engagement is for projects like this, “When the show is over, that does not mean the learning is complete. With a program such as ENOUGH!, we as the audience have a responsibility to take this call to action and create change. These resources about Florida gun laws and discussing discourse provide a toolkit for starting that conversation.”

Join Us

This evening is about lifting up teen voices, listening with empathy, and standing together in the belief that young people’s stories matter. We hope you will join us in our Black Box Theatre for a night of artistry, courage, and connection.

📅 Monday, October 6, 2025

📍 Orlando Family Stage – Black Box Theatre

🎟️ Free, General Admission, No reservation required