Play database

Roland, a high school student, falls in love with Laura. The play follows their tentative steps into a first relationship, shaped by shyness,
vulnerability, and the fear of being truly seen. Roland hides his schizophrenia from Laura, afraid that she won’t love him if she knew. He even asks his brother, Richard, to lie about it, even when Roland has to be admitted to a psychiatric ward.
Roland’s mental illness manifests as mythological figures: Odin, the ancient Germanic god; a Valkyrie, one of the female figures who guides souls to Valhalla; and the Seer. These characters become part of his inner world, offering him insight into his fears, his love, and his place in the universe.
The World to Which I Belong is not just a play about mental illness, but it presents one possible experience of schizophrenia. It intertwines mythology, storytelling, and existential questions through a youthful voice. The language is accessible and contemporary, composed mostly of short, sharp dialogue, occasionally interrupted by poetic passages or references to mythology. The time and place of the play are deliberately undefined, allowing for flexibility in staging.