Written by Eric Coble and Conceived and Directed by Kody C Jones

This new play comes from the creative team of Eric Coble and Kody C Jones and is being directed by Jones and written by Broadway Playwright; Coble with contributions by a team of local SW Florida students.  “Bulletproof Backpack” started as a student driven social conflict project creating a platform for students to research, discuss and interview our local community on the subject of gun violence in our schools.  The play is a work in progress, intertwining student feedback and interview answers with fictional characters who beg for answers and continue to pose the question; “How can I feel safe in our schools?” 

Our showcase will feature finished scenes from our world premier production giving audiences a sneak peak before its fully realized run in August of 2020 at The Florida Repertory Theatre.  The original students as well as the creative team will also be giving a discussion on the development process and the creation of the piece that will end in a group Q and A and discussion.

“Only with the constant education of the past and active push for change can we truly expect Never Again.” “Our youth are our future and enabling them to speak about gun violence and supporting the voice our nation’s future is what this project is all about.”  -- Kody C Jones, Education Director