It's Okay/Ok is set a week into Ireland's new restriction measures, in an attempt to impede the spread of Covid-19.
April 2nd, 2020.
This play explores the fear and uncertainty of Covid-19 how everything changed in an instant, and including how we had to approach going to a regular Doctor's appointment. It's Okay/It's Ok explores Anna's appointment with her regular Doctor, except this is no simple Doctor's appointment, because not only are Doctors' dealing with social distancing, PPE equipment, a virus with no vaccine/cure, and now a worsening mental health crisis. This mental health crisis has only been exasperated by social isolation requirements.
This play tackles the stigma of anti-depressants and attitudes towards mental health in general, and how important support and help is in taking care of your mental health, and even more so how medical professionals play in that.
However, the same applies for the frontline workers and medical practitioners, who are dealing with long hours, huge increase in patients and phone calls fearful about Covid-19. But also risking their lives on the frontline.
It's Okay/Ok is a short play that explores all of the above and more. A story that many can relate during these uncertain times of
the Global Public Health Emergency of the 2019–20 Coronavirus Pandemic.
It's Okay/It's Ok by Gráinne Coyne
Can watch live performance of It's Okay here
Directed by Gabrielle Scott
Stage Management - Patrick Peclard
Video Editing - Thijs Hogenboom
Dr. Schoenfeld played by Quinn Nguyen
Anna played by Gráinne Coyne
Narrator/News Reader played by Patrick Peclard
Receptionist played by Thijs Hogenboom
Poster Art by Patrick Peclard
Gráinne Coyne originally wrote "It's Ok" with the main focus being on the part of Anna.
However, she decided to change direction of the play focusing on Doctor Schoenfeld, when she saw Claire-Monique Martin was looking for plays 'Around the Globe in Eighty Plays' New Writing Festival. Claire created the festival to "Save the Globe", as a fund-raising New Writing Festival to support Shakespeare's Globe. The Globe Theatre, like many Theatres across the world is at risk of shutting down during the Covid-19 crisis. So as way to help those coming to view the plays/take part, many were encouraged to help raise money in aid of Shakespeare’s Globe Trust. It was also a great opportunity for emerging playwrights, directors and actors to showcase their work and something Gráinne was excited to be part of.
Each day from the 15th of June to the 4th of July, 4 Plays (3 short and 1 Full Length) was broadcasted / performed via Facebook Live.
It's Okay/It's Ok was streamed on Saturday, June 20th, but was recorded via Zoom in New York, and Galway on Thursday June 18th.
To find out more about the writing and casting process of It's Ok/It's Okay check out Gráinne Coyne's archived Instagram story. There she show's highlights of what went into making It's Ok/It's Okay, how her friends and AADA alumni - Gabrielle Scott, Patrick Peclard,Thijs Hogenboom and Quinn Nguyen were involved from the get go with the project.
She also answered questions about It's Ok/It's Okay.
Link to her instagram story here: X