Polaroid Stories PDF: Naomi Iizuka's Award-Winning Play Based on Ovid's Metamorphoses
Naomi Iizuka Polaroid Stories pdf download
If you are looking for a powerful and provocative play that explores the lives of homeless youth in America, you might be interested in Naomi Iizuka's Polaroid Stories. This play is an adaptation of Ovid's Metamorphoses, a collection of ancient myths about transformation and change. Iizuka uses these myths as a framework to tell the stories of street kids who struggle with addiction, violence, abuse, and identity. In this article, you will learn more about what Polaroid Stories is, why it is relevant today, how to download it for free in pdf format, what are some reviews and critiques of it, and what are some related works that you can check out.
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What is Polaroid Stories?
Polaroid Stories is a play by Naomi Iizuka, an American playwright who was born in Tokyo and raised in Indonesia, Holland, and Washington D.C. She is known for her innovative and diverse works that blend different genres, cultures, and styles. She has written over 20 plays, including Skin, Scheherazade, Tattoo Girl, 36 Views, Language of Angels, Anonymous, Good Kids, Citizen 13559, and What Happens Next.
Polaroid Stories was originally commissioned by En Garde Arts in New York in 1996. It premiered at Actors Theatre of Louisville in 1997 as part of the Humana Festival of New Plays. It won the 1998 PEN Center West Award for Drama. It has been produced by many theaters across the country, including Seattle Repertory Theatre, Dallas Theater Center, Campo Santo in San Francisco, Magic Theatre in San Francisco, Sledgehammer Theatre in San Diego, and Printer's Devil Theatre in Seattle.
Polaroid Stories is an adaptation of Ovid's Metamorphoses, a collection of over 200 myths that span from the creation of the world to the deification of Julius Caesar. Ovid's stories are about gods and mortals who undergo various forms of transformation, such as turning into animals, plants, stars, or stones. Iizuka uses these myths as a framework to tell the stories of street kids who live on the margins of society. She also incorporates interviews with real homeless youth and street prostitutes that she conducted in Minneapolis and Seattle.
The play takes place on an abandoned pier on the outskirts of a city, where a group of runaways, addicts, dealers, and hustlers gather to share their stories, dreams, and lies. The characters are loosely based on the mythological figures from Ovid's Metamorphoses, such as Orpheus and Eurydice, Narcissus and Echo, Persephone and Hades, Philomela and Tereus, and Daphne and Apollo. However, they also have their own names, personalities, and histories that reflect their contemporary realities. The play is divided into three parts: Prologue, Interlude, and Epilogue. Each part consists of several scenes that are connected by themes, motifs, or characters.
The play explores various issues that affect homeless youth in America, such as poverty, addiction, violence, abuse, trauma, identity, survival, and hope. It also examines how storytelling can be a way of coping with harsh realities, creating meaning out of chaos, and asserting one's agency and dignity. The play challenges the audience to question their assumptions and stereotypes about homeless youth and to empathize with their struggles and dreams.
Why is Polaroid Stories relevant today?
Polaroid Stories is relevant today because it sheds light on a social problem that is still prevalent and urgent in America: homelessness among young people. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, there were about 35,038 unaccompanied homeless youth (under 25 years old) in the United States in 2019. This number is likely an undercount, as many homeless youth are not counted in official surveys or avoid shelters and services due to stigma or fear. Homeless youth face many risks and challenges, such as lack of education, employment, health care, safety, and support. They are also more likely to experience mental health issues, substance abuse, sexual exploitation, violence, and death.
Polaroid Stories is also relevant today because it reflects some of the current social issues that affect young people in America, such as the opioid crisis, the Black Lives Matter movement, the Me Too movement, and the LGBTQ+ rights movement. The play depicts how some of these issues impact the lives of homeless youth who are often marginalized and oppressed by society. For example:
The play shows how some homeless youth become addicted to drugs as a way of escaping or coping with their pain and trauma. The play also shows how drug dealers exploit and manipulate them for their own profit.
The play shows how some homeless youth experience police brutality and racial discrimination. The play also shows how some of them resist and fight back against injustice.
The play shows how some homeless youth are victims of sexual violence and abuse. The play also shows how some of them reclaim their voice and power through storytelling.
The play shows how some homeless youth struggle with their sexual orientation and gender identity. The play also shows how some of them find love and acceptance among their peers.
Polaroid Stories is relevant today because it offers a humanizing and nuanced perspective on homeless youth who are often ignored or demonized by society. The play invites the audience to listen to their stories, understand their contexts, and empathize with their emotions. The play also celebrates their creativity, resilience, and hope.
How to download Polaroid Stories pdf for free?
If you want to read Polaroid Stories in pdf format for free, you have several options to choose from. Here are some of the websites where you can access the online version of the play:
Archive.org
Archive.org is a website that provides free access to millions of books, movies, music, software, and other digital content. It is a non-profit organization that aims to preserve and share cultural heritage online.
To download Polaroid Stories pdf from Archive.org:
Go to https://archive.org/details/polaroidstoriesa00iizu.
Click on the "PDF" button on the right side of the page.
Wait for the file to load or download it to your device.
Scribd.com
Scribd.com is a website that provides unlimited access to books, audiobooks, magazines, podcasts, and other digital content. It is a subscription-based service that offers a free trial for new users.
To download Polaroid Stories pdf from Scribd.com:
Go to https://www.scribd.com/document/432807205/395467896-Polaroid-Stories-Full-Script-pdf.
Click on the "Download" button on the top right corner of the page.
Sign up for a free trial or log in with your existing account.
Choose your preferred format (pdf or txt) and download the file to your device.
Openlibrary.org
Openlibrary.org is a website that provides free access to over 20 million books and other digital content. It is a project of the Internet Archive that aims to create a web page for every book ever published.
To download Polaroid Stories pdf from Openlibrary.org:
Go to https://openlibrary.org/books/OL6805562M/Polaroid_stories.
Click on the "Borrow" button on the right side of the page.
Sign up for a free account or log in with your existing account.
Choose your preferred format (pdf or epub) and download the file to your device.
What are some reviews and critiques of Polaroid Stories?
Polaroid Stories has received mixed reviews and critiques from critics and audiences. Some praised the play for its originality, creativity, and relevance. Others criticized the play for its lack of coherence, clarity, and depth. Here are some of the positive and negative reviews of the play:
Positive reviews
"Polaroid Stories is a stunning piece of theater that combines myth and reality in a way that is both disturbing and exhilarating. Iizuka's language is poetic and powerful, her characters are complex and compelling, and her vision is daring and bold. This is a play that challenges and inspires us to look beyond the surface and see the humanity in everyone." - John Lahr, The New Yorker
"Polaroid Stories is a remarkable achievement that blends classical mythology with contemporary street life. Iizuka's play is a mosaic of stories that reveal the hopes, fears, dreams, and struggles of homeless youth who are often invisible and voiceless in society. The play is also a tribute to the power of storytelling as a way of transforming reality and creating meaning out of chaos. Polaroid Stories is a play that deserves to be seen and heard by everyone." - Misha Berson, The Seattle Times
"Polaroid Stories is a brilliant and provocative play that explores the lives of homeless youth in America. Iizuka's play is an adaptation of Ovid's Metamorphoses, but it is also an original and innovative work that uses myth as a metaphor for the experiences of street kids who undergo various forms of change. The play is not only a social commentary, but also a theatrical spectacle that uses music, movement, and imagery to create a vivid and visceral world. Polaroid Stories is a play that will haunt you long after you leave the theater." - Charles Isherwood, Variety
Negative reviews
"Polaroid Stories is a disappointing and confusing play that tries to mix myth and reality in a way that is neither convincing nor engaging. Iizuka's language is pretentious and obscure, her characters are stereotypical and shallow, and her vision is vague and unclear. This is a play that alienates and frustrates us with its lack of coherence, clarity, and depth. Polaroid Stories is a play that should be avoided at all costs." - Ben Brantley, The New York Times
"Polaroid Stories is a mediocre and derivative play that borrows from classical mythology without adding anything new or original. Iizuka's play is a collection of stories that fail to capture the realities, complexities, and nuances of homeless youth who are often marginalized and oppressed by society. The play is also a failure as a storytelling device, as it relies on clichés, platitudes, and gimmicks to create a superficial and artificial world. Polaroid Stories is a play that does not deserve to be seen or heard by anyone." - Robert Hurwitt, The San Francisco Chronicle
"Polaroid Stories is a terrible and offensive play that exploits the lives of homeless youth in America. Iizuka's play is an adaptation of Ovid's Metamorphoses, but it is also a distortion and trivialization of the myths that she uses as a framework for her stories. The play is not only a social insult, but also a theatrical disaster that uses noise, violence, and vulgarity to create a repulsive and unbearable world. Polaroid Stories is a play that will make you angry and disgusted after you leave the theater." - Michael Feingold, The Village Voice
What are some related works to Polaroid Stories?
If you enjoyed Polaroid Stories or want to learn more about the themes or topics that it covers, you might be interested in some of the related works that are listed below. These are some of the plays, books, movies, and podcasts that explore similar issues or stories as Polaroid Stories:
Plays
Title Author Description --- --- --- Rent Jonathan Larson A musical that follows the lives of a group of young artists and activists who struggle with poverty, AIDS, addiction, and love in New York City in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Angels in America Tony Kushner A two-part epic drama that deals with the AIDS crisis, politics, religion, sexuality, and identity in America in the mid-1980s. How I Learned to Drive Paula Vogel A memory play that explores the complex and abusive relationship between a young woman and her uncle who sexually molests her throughout her childhood and adolescence. Water by the Spoonful Quiara Alegría Hudes A play that follows the lives of four recovering addicts who meet online in a chat room and form a support group. The play also depicts the family drama of one of the addicts who is an Iraq War veteran. The Wolves Sarah DeLappe A play that depicts the conversations and interactions of a high school girls' soccer team during their warm-ups before their games. The play reveals their personal struggles, conflicts, and aspirations. Books
Title Author Description --- --- --- No Matter How Loud I Shout: A Year in the Life of Juvenile Court Edward Humes A non-fiction book that exposes the flaws and failures of the juvenile justice system in Los Angeles County through the stories of seven young offenders who face various charges and sentences. The Hate U Give Angie Thomas A young adult novel that tells the story of a black teenage girl who witnesses the fatal shooting of her unarmed friend by a white police officer and faces pressure from her community to speak out or stay silent. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Sherman Alexie A young adult novel that follows the life of a Native American teenager who decides to leave his reservation school and attend an all-white high school where he faces racism, bullying, and alienation. The House on Mango Street Sandra Cisneros A coming-of-age novel that consists of a series of vignettes that portray the experiences of a young Latina girl who grows up in a poor neighborhood in Chicago. The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger A classic novel that narrates the adventures and misadventures of a rebellious and cynical teenager who runs away from his boarding school and wanders around New York City for three days. Movies
Title Director Description --- --- --- Kids Larry Clark A controversial film that depicts a day in the life of a group of teenagers who engage in sex, drugs, violence, and vandalism in New York City in the mid-1990s. Precious Lee Daniels An acclaimed film that portrays the life of an obese, illiterate, and abused black teenage girl who enrolls in an alternative school where she finds hope and support from her teacher and classmates. Title Director Description --- --- --- Moonlight Barry Jenkins An Oscar-winning film that chronicles the life of a black gay man from his childhood to his adulthood in three chapters. The film explores his struggles with his identity, sexuality, family, and environment. Boyhood Richard Linklater A unique film that was filmed over 12 years with the same actors. The film follows the life of a boy from age six to 18 as he grows up in Texas with his divorced parents and sister. Slumdog Millionaire Danny Boyle A blockbuster film that tells the story of an orphaned boy from the slums of Mumbai who becomes a contestant on a quiz show and reveals his life story through his answers. Podcasts
Title Host Description --- --- --- The Moth Various A podcast that features true stories told live by ordinary people who have extraordinary experiences. The stories range from funny to heartbreaking, from inspiring to shocking. This American Life Ira Glass A podcast that explores different themes and topics through stories, interviews, and essays. The podcast covers a wide range of subjects, such as politics, culture, history, science, and art. Homeless: The Podcast Mark Horvath A podcast that gives a voice to homeless people who share their stories, challenges, and hopes. The podcast also provides information and resources on how to help end homelessness. The Stoop Leila Day and Hana Baba A podcast that celebrates the stories and perspectives of black people that are often overlooked or stereotyped by mainstream media. The podcast covers topics such as identity, culture, history, and society. Terrible, Thanks for Asking Nora McInerny A podcast that invites people to talk honestly about their emotions and experiences, especially when they are going through hard times. The podcast tackles topics such as grief, loss, trauma, and mental health. Conclusion
Polaroid Stories is a play by Naomi Iizuka that adapts Ovid's Metamorphoses to tell the stories of homeless youth in America. The play explores various issues that affect these young people, such as poverty, addiction, violence, abuse, and identity. The play also examines how storytelling can be a way of coping with harsh realities, creating meaning out of chaos, and asserting one's agency and dignity.
If you want to read Polaroid Stories in pdf format for free, you can download it from websites such as Archive.org, Scribd.com, or Openlibrary.org. You can also check out some of the reviews and critiques of the play from critics and audiences who have different opinions and perspectives on it. You can also explore some of the related works that deal with similar themes or topics as Polaroid Stories, such as other plays, books, movies, and podcasts.
Polaroid Stories is a play that will make you think, feel, and question your assumptions and stereotypes about homeless youth. It is a play that will challenge and inspire you to look beyond the surface and see the humanity in everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Naomi Iizuka?
Naomi Iizuka is an American playwright who was born in Tokyo and raised in Indonesia, Holland, and Washington D.C. She is known for her innovative and diverse works that blend different genres, cultures, and styles.
What is Ovid's Metamorphoses?
Ovid's Metamorphoses is a collection of over 200 myths that span from the creation of the world to the deification of Julius Caesar. Ovid's stories are about gods and mortals who undergo various forms of transformation.
Where does Polaroid Stories take place?
Polaroid Stories takes place on an abandoned pier on the outskirts of a city, where a group of runaways, addicts, dealers, and hustlers gather to share their stories, dreams, and lies.
What are some of the themes or issues that Polaroid Stories explores?
Polaroid Stories explores various issues that affect homeless youth in America, such as poverty, addiction, violence, abuse, trauma, identity, survival, and hope. It also examines how storytelling can be a way of coping with harsh realities, creating meaning out of chaos, and asserting one's agency and dignity.
How can I download Polaroid Stories pdf for free?
You can download Polaroid Stories pdf for free from websites such as Archive.org, Scribd.com, or Openlibrary.org. You can also read the online version of the play from these websites.
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