It’s truly a wonderful group. I think all of us would agree—we would all feel similarly that difference is so important to the life of a university—and to the world. And that if we can—learn to accept difference—something that people who are different have had to do, often from a very early age—but if those of us who haven’t had to learn to accept difference so much—because of the race or class or gender or sexual orientation we were born into—if we can learn to accept difference, we will one day have the kind of world that will feel like home to everyone.
Before I say a few words about the extraordinary young man we’re here today to honor—Teddy Ferrara—and the new facility that will bear his name—I’ve asked Drew to read a small section of an extraordinary profile of Teddy that the Daily published. Drew?
(Drew comes forward.)
DREW: Thank you. This is from the end of the piece . . . “Ultimately, those who knew Teddy best say that what was lost is not just someone whose future was bright and who had much to offer to the world. What was lost is someone whose kindness and gentleness were rare in this world, whose essentially caring nature was the exception and not the rule.”
(Tim exits.)
“Teddy Ferrara was not someone who was loud and aggressive, clamoring for attention and popularity. He was a sweet soul, seeking love and light in an all too-dark world.”
5.8
JENNY (Following after Tim): What’s wrong?
TIM: I feel sick.
JENNY: Gabe will be fine—
TIM: I just got—
JENNY: Like you said—they didn’t press criminal charges, he’ll probably just go on probation—
TIM: I got a text—there’s a story on the Daily website—
JENNY: Who texted you?—
TIM: There’s an article about what happened in the library—it just went up—
JENNY: Oh—
TIM: For the rest of his life it’ll be on the internet—so when he applies for a job or—
JENNY: Well—it’s not your fault—
TIM: I just . . .
Why would he do this? Why?
JENNY: Who knows? You can’t know . . .
Let’s go back to the ceremony—
TIM: I don’t think I can.
JENNY: You have to. The President just introduced you—
TIM: I . . .
JENNY: Tim—the whole state is watching this.
(Pause.)
TIM: Right . . .
JENNY: You can do it.
(Pause.)
Ready?
(Pause. Tim takes Jenny’s hand. They walk off together.)
END OF PLAY
CHRISTIAN COULSON
CHRISTOPHER SHINN is the author of Dying City (Pulitzer Prize finalist), Now or Later (Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Play shortlist), Where Do We Live (Obie Award for Playwriting) and Four. He teaches playwriting at the New School for Drama.
Teddy Ferrara Page 9