A Story of Transformation Takes the Stage: Chrysalis Premieres at Roxbury Arts Alliance
- Roxbury Arts Alliance
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
A New Play About Renewal, Community,
and the Courage to Begin Again
Written by Lisa Church
As part of our 2026 season theme, Voices of America: Music, Stories & Spirit, Roxbury Arts Alliance is proud to present Chrysalis, a new drama by local playwright Charles Grayson.
At its heart, Chrysalis is a story about transformation, about what happens inside us when life breaks open, and what it takes to step back into the world with strength, humility, and hope.
It is deeply human. It is unexpectedly humorous. And it is a testament to the power of community.
The Spark Behind the Story
When asked what inspired Chrysalis, Charles answers with striking honesty.
"The idea for Chrysalis emerged during a three-week stay at a drug and alcohol recovery center, a period in my life marked by overwhelming personal loss. Nearly everything that anchored me felt as though it disappeared all at once. Anxiety and severe depression followed, and what began as coping slowly spiraled into something far more dangerous."
Within 48 hours of hospitalization, supported by family, he entered recovery.
And then something unexpected happened.
Charles expanded, "While detoxing and attending group sessions, I began sketching characters, building dialogue and constructing plot. My creative energy soared as the story began to take shape.
One afternoon, during a break outside, a friend pointed to the delicate shell of an expended chrysalis - the protective casing from which a praying mantis emerges.
The metaphor was undeniable."
What Chrysalis Represents
In nature, a chrysalis protects while transformation occurs. It is not quite a cocoon, but a structure that allows a creature to mature before breaking free into the world.
In the play, the recovery facility becomes that chrysalis.
Inside, people are forced to sit with themselves in ways they may never have before; to reflect, wrestle with hard truths, and begin to rebuild hope.
But eventually, they must leave.
And leaving is terrifying.
Charles reflects "The play asks a universal question: Can we sustain the strength we build in protected spaces once we return to the real world?"
Not every character makes it through unscathed. Some stumble. Some grow stronger. Each one feels grounded in real human experience.
While addiction serves as the immediate backdrop, the story resonates far beyond that framework. As Charles explains, addiction is simply one lens on the human condition. Nearly everyone has been touched by it, directly or indirectly, but the deeper theme is struggle itself.
"We all have something we are trying to overcome."
The chrysalis, in that sense, represents any safe place and the courage required to step beyond it.
Humor, Ethics, and Humanity
Those familiar with Charles Grayson’s earlier work know his signature style: sharp dialogue, intelligent characters, and ethical questions often wrapped in comedy.
Chrysalis continues that style, though with greater emotional depth. The writing remains smart and layered, and moments of humor surface naturally, not to minimize the subject, but to reflect how people genuinely survive difficult circumstances.
Charles is drawn to stories that explore ethical tension. The adults in the room are rarely exempt from scrutiny.
That blend of intelligence and humanity makes Chrysalis both engaging and accessible. It is not a heavy-handed lecture, but thoughtful theater. The kind that encourages reflection, honors resilience, and reminds us that healing is possible.
Community at the Center
When asked what it means to develop this new work at Roxbury Arts Alliance, Charles answers with one word: COMMUNITY
“I am nothing without community. I struggle alone. I thrive in community.”
Community theater plays a unique role in the cultural fabric of Morris County and beyond. At Roxbury Arts Alliance, we are committed not only to presenting concerts, live music, art exhibits, and open mic nights, but also to giving writers, actors, and creators a platform to share new voices.
Our intimate black box theater is the perfect setting for stories that invite connection.
Supporting original theater is an act of cultural investment. It means showing up for living artists and participating in conversations that matter. It means choosing live, local performance over passive consumption. Because gathering for story is how we return to real connection.
Continuing a Creative Partnership
Audiences may remember that in June 2024, Charles collaborated with Roxbury Arts Alliance to present an evening of three short plays. That production featured:
Dying is Easy, a sharp and witty story about a horror filmmaker attempting to secretly reshoot the final scene of his own biopic.
The Villager Photo, a lively and humorous piece warmly received at Jersey Voices in Chatham.
Tragedy of the Commons, an intense and thought-provoking drama.
That evening demonstrated Charles’ range, from satire to intensity, and reinforced RAA’s commitment to showcasing original local talent.
Chrysalis builds upon that creative momentum, offering audiences another opportunity to experience new work at its premiere.
Why Stories of Renewal Matter Now
Stories about survival and renewal resonate because, at some point, most of us have had to start over in one way or another. Life rarely unfolds in a straight line. Plans shift. Stability falters. We outgrow certain chapters before we’re ready to let them go.
For many adults in midlife and beyond, those shifts feel especially familiar. Careers evolve or stall, children grow up, and relationships change. Loss enters quietly or all at once. And somewhere along the way, we find ourselves asking what the next version of life is meant to look like.
Chrysalis doesn’t pretend to tie those questions up neatly. What it does offer is something more honest. Growth is rarely comfortable, but it is possible. Stepping into the unknown next chapter, even when it feels daunting, is often where a new sense of purpose begins.
Join Us for This Original Theatrical Event
We invite you to experience Chrysalis at Roxbury Arts Alliance: a new work born from lived experience and developed within our own local arts community.
If you’ve been part of the RAA audience for years, you already understand the value of gathering for live performance. If you’re discovering us for the first time, this is a meaningful place to begin. Our intimate theater allows stories like this to unfold up close, where expressions are visible, pauses matter, and audiences feel the energy in the room.
An evening like this isn’t just about watching a play. Come sit together, listen carefully, and perhaps see a small part of yourself reflected on our stage.
We hope you’ll join us.
Chrysalis by Charles Grayson
Friday and Saturday, March 13-14 at 7:30 pm,
Sunday, March 15 at 3:00 pm
Roxbury Arts Alliance at Citizens Bank Theater
72 Eyland Ave, Succasunna, NJ 07876
Located in the Horseshoe Lake recreation complex
Tickets available on our Events page
Credentialed members of the media are invited to attend Opening Night of Chrysalis on Friday, March 13th. To request a press pass, please email publicity.raa@gmail.com
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