Get to know the characters of Out Here and read a detailed synopsis of the play.
Characters
- Dawn: married to Brian; mother of Cleo (played by Becca Ayers)
- Brian: married to Dawn; father of Cleo (played by Cliff Chamberlain)
- Cleo: 16 years old; Dawn and Brian’s child (played by Ellie Duffey)
- Robin: Dawn’s college ex; Jett’s mom (played by Bethany Thomas)
- Jett: 20 years old; Robin’s child (played by Z Mowry)
- Gina: audience member (played by Amanda Pulcini)
- Martin: band member and occasional mediator or best friend (played by Alex Goodrich)
Synopsis
Be warned—this synopsis contains spoilers!
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- Dawn, Brian, and Cleo realize that there is a band in their home and an audience right outside of the front door. Though confused, they introduce themselves to the audience — some more enthusiastically than others.
- Dawn tells Brian that she wants to end their marriage. He deduces that it’s because she wants to date women, and suggests opening the marriage. She clarifies that what she really wants is to divorce him. They tell Cleo about the divorce, but Dawn refuses to reveal to Cleo the reason behind it.
- Dawn contemplates what it will be like to come out of the closet; she’s excited for the kind of experiences she will now be able to have as an out lesbian.
- Robin, Dawn’s ex from long ago, appears from the audience. They reminisce, and a renewed spark of romance flares between them. Time bends. But when Robin asks to come inside, Dawn tells them to wait next door.
- Dawn and Brian begin the tricky process of navigating divorce, guided by Martin, a member of the band who is apparently a trained mediator. They discuss custody division.
- Dawn and Brian run into each other on the way out of the house. It’s been 6 months. Brian reaches out to Gina, a friend of a friend, to ask her out. He considers his feelings of grief and how the divorce began long ago and will continue. Dawn and Robin flirt.
- Dawn realizes that she needs to be honest with Cleo, and Martin guides her to plan her coming out. Cleo is unbothered by the news that her mother is a lesbian. Notably, Dawn does not reveal that she is dating someone. Robin protests at being ever in the periphery of Dawn’s life and that Dawn wants to pick up where they left off, after she has missed decades of queer struggle and hardship. Dawn insists that she’s coming out of the closet as fast as she can. They wonder if they can make the relationship work.
- Cleo is searching for her math book as the family’s stress reaches a fever pitch. Dawn is overwhelmed by the difficulty she’s experiencing based on her choices. She finally introduces Robin to Cleo, and Robin’s kid, Jett, and then tries to orchestrate both the band and the people in her life to feel, think, and sing a certain way. They push back.
- Robin sings to Dawn about their respective choices in life, making it clear that if Dawn goes back in the closet, she is giving up on Robin. Dawn decides that her current situation is too uncomfortable and unfamiliar and decides to go back to her marriage. She returns to the start of the show and tries to reconjure the first song of Out Here. Brian puts a stop to her efforts to rebuild the marriage, but Dawn is determined.
- Jett tries to untangle what is happening with Dawn and her family. Cleo sings, contemplating her parents’ marriage and how the family is not picture-perfect.
- Dawn continues to insist that the family remain together. Brian says he is moving out. Dawn, alone, wonders what she has compromised on in her life by pretending to be straight for so long.
- Years later, Robin is single again, and Dawn’s divorce has been finalized for a few years. Dawn invites Robin inside, at last. She is ready to love and be out with Robin. The characters consider their next steps, in harmony at last.
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Setting
Out Here takes place in Dawn’s home, and beyond — in the self-aware space of the theatre. It is happening now, today.
A Note for Teachers
This show includes mature language and moments of intimacy. Please prepare your students accordingly.
Posted on April 9, 2026 in
Learning Guides,
Productions