Eyes Wide Open
by Jennifer Kirkeby

Eyes Wide Open is a touching and informative play about Kristin, a 16 year-old girl who suffers from anorexia and bulimia.

Written by a woman who has experienced eating disorders first hand, the story begins after Kristin faints in her dance class.

Kristin finds herself in a hospital room where she is met by the spirit of her grandmother, Birdy.

Birdy, who is seen only by Kristin, gently guides her granddaughter through moments of her life.

As they revisit the dance studio, Kristin relives both joyful and unhappy experiences with her best friend, Amber.

Michael, the boy who Kristin has a crush on, helps her to learn the dance steps.

We meet Julia, an obnoxious student who loves to show her "creative" dances and give others fashion advice.

Kristin helps Daniel, Michael's younger brother to stop his bad (and dangerous) habit of closing his eyes when he dances.

Laura is the dance teacher who tries unsuccessfully to talk to Kristin about her eating disorder.

Ultimately, these experiences and Birdy's guidance help Kristin to examine her life and make her final decision whether to live or die.