[the inner universe]

105-120min, Full Length, 3M, 1F, 1NB

Semi-Finalist, Epiphanies New Works Festival 2025
Selection, Act Out, Diva! New Play Festival 2025

A starry night sky with the Milky Way galaxy visible, surrounded by clouds and silhouetted trees, with text overlay reading '[the inner universe]' and 'A new play by Sam Heyman'.

From a young age, Jackson Pomona was gifted with language. He was curious, inventive, and hungry for knowledge. This was not lost on his literary theory professor mother, Dr. Cheryl Kendall, who encouraged his gifts, and cultivated his growth as a scholar. Together, mother and son, they developed writings surrounding a theory that stood to change everything about the way the world saw their connections to others, their souls, themselves... but one day, that partnership tragically came to an end.

Years later, Jackson has entered college, and like many of his classmates, he is searching for answers to big questions. He is wary of what may lie beyond the boundaries his father has set for him, and also deathly curious. Can Jackson find the answers he seeks without succumbing to the dangers of his own mind?

Recommendations for [the inner universe]

Text excerpt discussing theatrical character study and the relationship between father and son.
A text excerpt discussing Scott Sickles' theatrical work and character analysis.
A quote from Dave Osmunden discussing themes of neurodiversity, grief, and identity in the context of a college student's experiences, with emphasis on introspection and emotional depth.

Interested in learning more?