Tape – By Stephen Belber
Tape follows a classical unity of action, time and space, featuring three characters in a single plot regarding their differing perspectives of some past events. The play takes you right in the center of a sexual misconduct incident that happened between two high school sweethearts Amy and John, shrewdly unraveled by their best friend Vince. After 10 years, these three individuals are forced to reckon with an unresolved trauma
About the play
Tape is a gripping drama that unfolds over a single plotline, maintaining the classical unity of action, time, and space. Set in the confines of a single room, it brings together three characters—Amy, John, and Vince—whose shared history is marked by conflicting perspectives on an incident of sexual misconduct from their high school days.
A decade later, Vince shrewdly orchestrates a reunion, forcing Amy and John to confront the unresolved trauma that binds and divides them. Through sharp dialogue and intense moments, the play takes a deep dive into the nuances of consent, manipulation, power, loyalty, and truth
Why Watch Tape?
In an era where discussions on sexual consent are at the forefront of media and society, Tape fearlessly explores the gray areas of truth and perception. It lays bare the complex subtext between sexual consent and desire, challenging audiences to reflect on how personal truths can differ, and how we reconcile with those differences.
Key Themes
Consent: Where do we draw the line, and what happens when boundaries blur?
Manipulation & Power: How past actions and words hold sway over relationships.
Truth: What happens when your truth collides with someone else’s?
Friendship: The love-hate dynamic between Vince, John, and Amy that remains after years of distance.
About the play
Aakash Prabhakar, Ayushi Gupta, Nishank Verma
Directed by: Aakash Prabhakar
Tape is a gripping drama that unfolds over a single plotline, maintaining the classical unity of action, time, and space. Set in the confines of a single room, it brings together three characters—Amy, John, and Vince—whose shared history is marked by conflicting perspectives on an incident of sexual misconduct from their high school days.
A decade later, Vince shrewdly orchestrates a reunion, forcing Amy and John to confront the unresolved trauma that binds and divides them. Through sharp dialogue and intense moments, the play takes a deep dive into the nuances of consent, manipulation, power, loyalty, and truth
Why Watch Tape?
In an era where discussions on sexual consent are at the forefront of media and society, Tape fearlessly explores the gray areas of truth and perception. It lays bare the complex subtext between sexual consent and desire, challenging audiences to reflect on how personal truths can differ, and how we reconcile with those differences.
Key Themes
Consent: Where do we draw the line, and what happens when boundaries blur?
Manipulation & Power: How past actions and words hold sway over relationships.
Truth: What happens when your truth collides with someone else’s?
Friendship: The love-hate dynamic between Vince, John, and Amy that remains after years of distance.
About the founder
Aakash Prabhakar is an internationally recognized actor, filmmaker, and theatre director from India, with a body of work that spans over a decade across stage and screen. He is the founder of Here And Now, a production company dedicated to impactful storytelling through independent films and theatre.
A graduate of The Drama School Mumbai and the New York Film Academy, Aakash’s training merges Indian theatrical rigour with global cinematic technique. In 2019, he made his feature film debut with Freddie’s Piano, which he directed and starred in. The film premiered at the New York Indian Film Festival 2021 and was selected at numerous international festivals, earning accolades such as:
Best Director – Indian Film Festival of Cincinnati
Best Feature Film – DC South Asian Film Festival
Best Film (Jury Award) – Indigo Moon Film Festival, North Carolina
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