Sex with Strangers
by Laura Eason
Directed by Scott Weinstein


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​Cardinal Stage Company
Ivy Tech Waldron Auditorium
February 9th. 2018 - February 25th, 2018

Scenic Design: Jeffrey Kmiec
Costume Design: Chris Simanton
Lighting Design: Allen Hahn
Sound Design and Original Music: Brandon Reed
 ​Photos taken courtesy of Blueline Photography

About The Play

What lengths would you go to get what you want? Sex With Strangers is about famous sex blogger and memoirist Ethan who tracks down his idol, the gifted novelist Olivia. They find that they each crave what the other possesses. As attraction turns to sex, and they inch closer to getting what they want, both must confront the dark side of their ambition and the trouble of reinventing yourself when your past is only one quick google search away.

The sound design was meant to be upbeat, sexy, and driving the pace of the play, while at the same provide location, and time of day. My original music was inspired by modern pop and dance artists ranging from Kesha to Halsey, The 1975, fun, Kanye, and more. At the same time, I helped provide a sense of time and space with Act 1 taking place in the middle of a snowstorm in rural Michigan with Act 2, taking place in an apartment in Chicago.

The Sound Design


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​Top of Show

Straight away we drop the audience right in the middle of a snow storm. I wrote this opening cue to have immense energy drawing the audience in as the action begins immediately for this quick pace play.



​How Long Have We Been Here?

As the relationship between Olivia and Ethan begins to form throughout Act 1, they begin to lose track of time. They are in their own blissful world escaped from the worries and hardships out in reality. By this point the mood is sexual and vibrant.


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​The True Ethan Strange? (End of Act 1)

As Ethan leaves the BnB to return to Chicago, Olivia grows curious of Ethan's true identity. Ignoring his request to look up his alias, she makes the discovery of who he really is. Taking us into Intermission.


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​It Wasn't Me!

In Act 2, Olivia and Ethan's relationship becomes disconnected as mistrust is in the air. Accusations of cheating as well as his alternative persona being who he truly is.


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​Do You Believe the Tabloids?

Ethan and Olivia's relationship is up in the air as an argument the night before causes her to lock him out of her apartment. She falls asleep taking us into the next day.


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​I Don't Know If I Trust You.

In this heartbreaking scene, the relationship between Ethan and Olivia has come to an end. She decides to go with a different publisher for her book premiere and throws Ethan by the wayside due to her doubt in his character.


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​Moving On?

In the final scene of the play, Ethan runs into Olivia a year later. She has already moved on and refuses his advances. However, he leaves the apartment saying that he will be at the bar around the corner. We are left with Olivia alone on stage as she questions to go after him. Blackout.