Better

by Michelle Carter

20-year old Emily is the star student in the department where her mother teaches biology. One day, her mother commits a shocking, unthinkable crime. Emily is beset not only with shame but with terrible fear of what she herself might be carrying through the world. She gets a job at The Melting Pot, visits a medium, searching like the good student that she is for answers. How will she endure her pain? Is she...

20-year old Emily is the star student in the department where her mother teaches biology. One day, her mother commits a shocking, unthinkable crime. Emily is beset not only with shame but with terrible fear of what she herself might be carrying through the world. She gets a job at The Melting Pot, visits a medium, searching like the good student that she is for answers. How will she endure her pain? Is she deserving of happiness? Will things ever be better again?

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Better

Recommended by

  • Bridge Street Theatre: Better by Michelle Carter
    “

    This is a phenomenal work that our theatre premiered back in 2019 and that has yet to receive a second prodution. That's criminal. It's a brilliant, quirky, utterly unique piece that sneaks past audiences knee-jerk reactions to the subject matter with an unexpected approach and a disarming earnestness. Small cast, simple sets. Get ON this one, folks!

    This is a phenomenal work that our theatre premiered back in 2019 and that has yet to receive a second prodution. That's criminal. It's a brilliant, quirky, utterly unique piece that sneaks past audiences knee-jerk reactions to the subject matter with an unexpected approach and a disarming earnestness. Small cast, simple sets. Get ON this one, folks!

    ”
  • Rachel Bublitz: Better by Michelle Carter
    “

    A moving and emotionally full play about dealing with the unthinkable. Carter uses humor and a matter-of-fact protagonist to juxtapose the gravity the world she’s created. I would love to see this in production. A fantastic play.

    A moving and emotionally full play about dealing with the unthinkable. Carter uses humor and a matter-of-fact protagonist to juxtapose the gravity the world she’s created. I would love to see this in production. A fantastic play.

    ”
  • Stephanie Carlson: Better by Michelle Carter
    “

    This was a fascinating read, and I would love to see it performed. A truly moving and entertaining story about coping with the incomprehensible.

    This was a fascinating read, and I would love to see it performed. A truly moving and entertaining story about coping with the incomprehensible.

    ”

Development History

  • Workshop, Playwrights Horizons / Clubbed Thumb, 2015