Study Guide:

Show Summary

Show Rating: TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences)

Following the lives of three sisters we meet at the age of 10 - Albienne, Beatrix, and Carmen - who are abandoned in the woods by their father after the death of their mother. Still grieving the death of life as they knew it, the three decide to carve out their own path. Albienne, the oldest, walks to the East to explore the world, seeking adventure and victory. Beatrix, the middle sister, walks to the West towards the sun, seeking their Papa. Carmen, the youngest, stays in the woods, seeking solitude and simplicity in the natural world. After three decades apart, at 32 years old, the sisters’ deep connection draws them back full circle to the woods to reunite. Each having grown profoundly from their own individual experiences, they share a “world’s worth of stories”, with the knowing that despite their differences, they are fulfilled.

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The AUthor

Finegan Kruckemeyer has had 105 commissioned plays performed on six continents and translated into eight languages. He has received 42 awards (at least one each year since 2002) including the 2017 Mickey Miners Lifetime Achievement Award for services to international theatre for young audiences, the 2015 David Williamson Award for Excellence in Australian Playwrighting, and an inaugural Sidney Myer Creative Fellowship.

In 2024, 78 seasons of 14 plays (including three world premieres) are presented globally, in six countries and five languages. Also in 2024, Finegan’s first novel, ‘The End and Everything Before It’, was published. To date, Finegan’s plays have had seasons in: 200 international festivals.

As well as the Mickey Miners and David Williamson Awards and Sidney Myer Fellowship, Finegan and his work have received eight Australian Writers Guild (AWGIE) Awards, 2012 Helpmann Award for Children’s Theatre, 2010 Rodney Seaborn Award, 2006 Jill Blewett Playwrights Award and 2002 Colin Thiele Scholarship.

Finegan has been a speaker at the Ubud Writer’s Festival (Indonesia), the Edinburgh International Children’s Theatre Festival (Scotland), TYA USA National Conference, and the ITYARN Conference (Argentina), among others. He has delivered papers or sat on panels at conferences/festivals in nine countries, with papers published.

He was one of 21 selected worldwide for the ASSITEJ Next Generation (young leaders in children’s theatre), and has sat on numerous arts boards including the Australian Script Centre and Tasmanian Arts Advisory Board, Arts Tasmania’s Assistance to Individuals, Tas Literary Awards and Artsbridge panels, and the Story Island Project board (promoting youth literacy and empowerment through storytelling with marginalised young people).

He is committed to making strong and respectful work for children, which acknowledges them as astute audience members outside the play, and worthy subjects within.

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Themes

“Albienne was the oldest. And Beatrix was the next. And Carmen was youngest. And they looked identical, in the same way that when visiting a block of flats, a person may say: ‘those flats are identical.’ And of course they are right, but of course they are not.”
-Albienne, Beatrix, Carmen, and Narrator

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The Three Little Pigs
The Three Musketeers
The Truth, The Whole Truth, & Nothing but The Truth
Life, Liberty and The Pursuit of Happiness
Logos, Ethos, Pathos,
The Three Wise Men
The Earth is the Third Rock from the Sun

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Suffice it to say: three is a magical number.

It appears across literature, film, oral traditions, drawing on its psychological and structural advantages. By leveraging the power of three as a storytelling device, storytellers can create narratives that feel natural, engaging, and enduring. This principle continues to shape storytelling because of its timeless psychological and structural appeal.

This triad of sisters are becoming, each in their own unique way and decide to take on the world the way they see fit, without asking permission. This is a world where they don’t have to break through the glass ceiling, because it was never built. All three believe they can, because in this world the choices for women are all of them. Even Maslow said you need these three things in order for your life to have meaning and to truly be alive: Something to love, something to do, and something to live for.

The play celebrates the diverse strengths of its female characters and offers a rich framework to talk about what it means to be empowered in various ways. It redefines feminine power by showcasing how each sister embodies strength differently. It is a celebration of autonomy as each sister makes her own decision about how to respond to their shared challenge. Although the sisters are separated for much of the play, their connection remains a source of strength. The play encourages audiences to see strength in action, emotion, and stillness reminding us that power is as diverse as the individuals who embody it.

Digging Deeper

How does the division of the sister’s stories into three journeys reflect “the power of three” in storytelling?

How does the “power of three” help to explore themes of individuality and connection in the play?

Can you find other examples in the play where repetition or groups of three are used for dramatic or poetic effect?

How do each of the sister’s choices challenge traditional ideas of strength?

Which sister’s journey resonates most with your understanding of empowerment?

How does the bond between the sisters reflect the idea of shared or collective power?

What does their reunion say about the importance of connection and reconciliation?

How do the sister’s individual journeys reflect different approaches to handling challenges and change?

In what ways does the sister’s reunion at the end of the play highlight the idea of unity despite differences?

Setting the stage

Lighting Design

Notice where the lighting is throughout the space as the journey unfolds.

How do the changes in lighting shift us from one place to the next?

How does the light help to shape, angle, and highlight mood and moments in the play?

How does it help define characters’ movements and emotions throughout the play?

Sound Design

Emotions have sound.

How do emotions sound in this play?

How does the sound highlight how a character moves and speaks?

What does the sound tell us about their character or where they are in their journey?

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Costume Design

We meet the girls when they are only 10 years old, spending the next 3 decades with them when until they are 32 years old.

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What is the relationship between the evolution of the girls and the evolution of the costumes?

How are the costumes functional that allow for movement in order to help the characters tell the story?

How do the costumes transform with them to become other characters?

Set Design

There are three different objects that speak to each different character.

How do these objects help the characters tell the story?

How do the different settings of the play (village, the forest, etc) symbolize different aspects of life’s challenges?

The ANchor

This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing begins with the father abandoning his daughters in the forest which forces the sisters to become who they are outside of their roles as daughters,challenging the erasure of their place in the world. As they grow up they face moments where they “erase” parts of themselves, they even risk erasing their connection to one another by being physically separated for three decades. In the face of hardship, separation, and societal expectations it ultimately celebrates the resilience of the human spirit. The sisters’ journeys show that even in the face of erasure, individuals can reclaim their identities, rewrite their stories, and resist being forgotten. The play serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of visibility, voice, and self-discovery.

Digging Deeper

How does the father’s abandonment shape the sister’s sense of identity? How do they resist being erased by this act?
How does the play explore the balance between self-reliance and the need for others?
How does the play reclaim women’s diverse stories and resist their erasure? Which sister’s story feels most surprising or empowering?
Can erasure be an opportunity? What do you think the author wants the audience to take away from the sisters’ stories?

Teaching it forward

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"What becomes of children who are left in a wood, Albienne?”
- Beatrix

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How would the sister’s paths look like today?

For example Albienne might be on the Great British Bake Off and Carmen might be a homesteader in Montana.

Divide the classrooms into three groups and assign a sister to each group. Ask students to imagine what Albienne, Beatrix, and Carmen’s lives would look like in the modern world.
Write a short story, create a Pinterest board, reel, or social media profile for one sister in today’s context.
Encourage students to share their Modern Day Parallels with one another.

Passing the baton

It's Your Turn

Everyone has a circle of influence and that is usually the perfect place to start! Here are some local resources in your own backyard for girls and women as inspiration to get involved in your local community:

Girls Rock St. Pete

Their mission is to empower women, girls, and gender-expansive folx through fearless expression, artistic experimentation and collaboration to build confidence and leadership skills to transform ourselves and our communities. Girls Rock St. Pete uses music to break down stereotypes and build a supportive and encouraging environment to create positive social change in our community. They provide a place where youth and volunteers alike can take creative risks, express themselves and explore their identities with people who will hold space for them in a positive way.

https://girlsrockstpete.org/

Top Buttons St. Pete

They build self-worth through mentorship, education and fashion in young women. Their teaching is centered on understanding your identity in Christ and their resources filter out the unnecessary sexually-related material that is commonly associated with the fashion industry and showcase contextually modest versions of current fashion trends. Top Buttons is open for public shopping and proceeds help fund full time charitable efforts. They have a Wearing Confidence Program receiving thousands of dollars in stylish and properly fitted attire. They are inspiring and equipping young women to present their best self on the job, at school and in life.

https://tbstpete.org/

PACE Center for Girls

Pace Center for Girls provides a safe and supportive environment for girls to build healthy relationships, plan for their future and overcome histories of trauma. All girls, regardless of their background, deserve an opportunity to become strong, compassionate and successful women. When properly supported, all girls have the power to achieve their vision of success, which leads to positive outcomes for themselves, their families and communities.

https://www.pacecenter.org/locations/florida/pinellas

Metro Inclusive Health

They provide quality health and wellness services that are inclusive, relevant, supportive, and represent the lifetime continuum of the diverse people in our community. The centers provide premier comprehensive medical and social services. This includes HIV services, medical care, social activities and classes, support groups, counseling, health and wellness programs, psychiatric medication management, and more. LGBTQ+ Programs at Metro Inclusive Health are designed as safe, no-cost spaces for individuals to make new friends, socialize, and find support among similarly-identified peers. They strive to promote a healthy environment for all and foster diversity within the community, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or economic status.

https://www.metrotampabay.org/

100 Women Who Care St. Petersburg

They focus on making the maximum positive effort for our community by providing a learning opportunity about our community services and non profit financial awards with a goal to give away $10,000 in one hour to support a local non-profit organization. They are a Giving Circle that is formed when individuals come together and pool their dollars, decide together where to give the money and learn together about their community and philanthropy.

https://100wwcstpetersburg.com/

St. Pete Free Clinic

St. Pete Free Clinic’s programs support health equity by providing nutritious food for those who need it, increasing access to healthcare, and increasing access to housing for those experiencing housing insecurity and substance use challenges. Additionally, SPFC’s range of programs reduce the economic burdens of Pinellas County’s low-income and Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed population by providing services that lower monthly out-of-pocket expenditures, contribute to savings and long-term economic stability, and support long-term individual and family wellness.‍

https://thespfc.org/‍

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The Kind Mouse

Dedicated to feeding local children suffering from chronic hunger and food insecurities. It is composed of a passionate group of volunteers who are committed to ensuring no child in Pinellas County goes hungry. Their mission is to assist families in transition and their chronically hungry children while developing the next generation of volunteers to carry on the mission of The Kind Mouse. No hardworking individual and their family should ever go hungry.

https://www.thekindmouse.org/

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The Pineapple Projects‍

They extend a hand to people in our community that are starting over and need help by turning their house into a home. Using gently used donated home furnishings and thoughtful interior design, they transform their empty homes into spaces they can take pride in. They provide essential furnishings for their family. They believe in second chances, kindness, and community.

https://www.thepineappleprojects.org/