Young Person’s Guide to:

peerless by Jiehae Park

PLOT

Twin high school seniors L and M are dead-set on attending not just an Ivy League school, but the Ivy League school, and they think their acceptance is guaranteed. When a rival student emerges, the twins will do anything to knock out the competition—but does that include murder? Mean Girls meets Macbeth in this dark comedy, which sets one of Shakespeare’s bloodiest plays against the backdrop of competitive college admissions.

THEMES

• Rejection
• Loyalty
• Pressure of the future 
• Stress
• Model minority myth

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

How do you handle rejection?
Should family equate loyalty? Why or Why not?
What scares you the most when you think about your future?
How do you deal with stress?
What causes you stress?
What does a successful student look like to you?

DRAMATURGY BLOG

Want a peek into the rehearsal room? Click here to check out our dramaturgy blog for insight into the play and production process. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Ask a dramaturg!

RESOURCES FOR THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS

Boston Public Library’s College Planning Center
The ASA College Planning Center at the Boston Public Library offers guidance on choosing a college, applying for financial aid and scholarships, managing money, and choosing a major or a career.

College Board 
College Board is dedicated to providing students with resources regarding choosing colleges, applying for financial aid, and registering for the SAT.

Common App
Common App guides students through the College Application process for 700 colleges and institutions.

Early Action V. Early Decision
College Board article describing the differences between Early Action and Early Decision

WAYS TO DE-STRESS

The Benefits of the Coloring Book 

Music as a De-stressor 

Focus on Well Being in Schools in Massachusetts

Easing Student Stress at Lexington High School

Here is a list of C1 community partners for peerless that work mainly with youth and/or offer youth programs. Click on the organizations’ names below to learn more about the resources they offer!

Hyde Square Task Force
Breakthrough Greater Boston
Boston University’s Asian Women’s Action for Resilience and Empowerment (AWARE)
ASPIRE
Boston Asian: Youth Essential Services
Actors’ Shakespeare Project
Boston GLOW

Additional community partners:

Asian American Commission
Massachusetts Institute of Psychoanalysis
Korean Cultural Society of Boston
Pao Arts Center