It’s 1980 in the Conlee family’s attic playroom, and four young siblings—Chris, Kate, Carl and Addie—recreate their everyday lives in a colorful game of make believe. Just home from school, they expect snacks, unwind from the day, and irk one another. Everything seems ordinary—until it doesn’t. The children play and play, but where are the adults? Fast-forward 30 years and the kids are back–only this time the game’s over, and a troubled past needs reconciliation. Split into two halves set three decades apart, MAKE BELIEVE features four child actors and their adult counterparts in a provocative story that bends time, space, and narrative. Formally daring and eminently moving, MAKE BELIEVE is a thoughtful exploration of childhood and its lingering impact. 

By Bess Wohl

Directed by Cait Robinson.