Breakaway Student Productions Stage “The Girl in the Mirror”
“I chose this play to shed light on teen suicide and the importance of noticing the people around us. It’s about seeing your child or your friend, recognizing their struggles, and not letting them feel alone.”
Breakaway Student Productions, Ursinus College’s student-run theater company, recently staged The Girl in the Mirror, a compelling drama by Bruce Jacoby. The fall performance, adapted and directed by senior Kaya Eller, delivered a powerful message about teen mental health.
Eller chose to adapt The Girl in the Mirror as a meaningful way to bring her theater journey full circle. “I performed this play as a senior in high school, and I thought it would be a cool way to end my college career the same way I started,” she shared. Breakaway Student Productions regularly seeks student directors, and Eller volunteered to take the lead on the fall production.
The play follows 17-year-old Susan Connors, who lies in a coma after a suicide attempt. At the outset, a doctor informs Susan’s mother: “Whether she lives or dies now is largely a matter of her own will. We’ve done everything we could.” From this point, the audience is drawn into the depths of Susan’s mind, where she grapples with her thoughts, fears, and pain. Through a series of vivid dreamscapes and fragmented memories, Susan explores the emotions and experiences that have shaped her current reality.
The Girl in the Mirror explores the challenges of depression, the misunderstandings that often arise in relationships, and the significant consequences of missed opportunities for connection. It tells a story about the power of empathy, communication, and the need to recognize the unseen battles others may be facing. The narrative weaves together moments of heartache and hope, keeping the ultimate resolution uncertain until the very end.
For Eller, this production was more than a theatrical performance; it was an opportunity to spark a critical conversation. “I chose this play to shed light on teen suicide and the importance of noticing the people around us. It’s about seeing your child or your friend, recognizing their struggles, and not letting them feel alone.”
The performance highlights Breakaway Student Productions’ commitment to providing students with a platform for self-initiated projects that can spark meaningful conversation and raise awareness about important issues.