Off-BroadwayOpening Soon

THE SECOND BEST SCHOOL SHOOTING

Dates
Oct 17 – Oct 20, 2026
Tickets
See website for prices
Running time
1h 30m
Age advisory
14+

About

Fresh off a five-star sold-out Edinburgh Fringe run, THE SECOND BEST SCHOOL SHOOTING follows two best friends struggling to process surviving a school shooting that is overshadowed by a much worse school shooting on the same day. A dark comedy about America’s traumatized, despondent, yet somehow hilarious youth. Developed with hundreds of students, teachers–with community partnership from March For Our Lives. Written by Alice Stanley Jr. and directed by Riley Rose Critchlow. Starring Rachael DeBoer and Shaylaren Hilton. “Captivating, provocative, inspiring.” - Executive Producer Adam McKay (All the Empty Rooms, The Big Short, Stepbrothers) “An unflinching yet deeply human perspective on how young people process fear and trauma. Through sharp satire and unexpected humour, it creates space for dialogue around an issue that is too often avoided.” - Theatre Weekly “Stanley Jr’s play is an indictment of gun violence, a portrait of how social media has pressure-cooked young people’s priorities, and, ultimately, a study of how true friendship can survive through it all.” - The Scotsman “A whip smart study of adolescence, friendship and survival in the face of tragedy.” “fearless performances.” - The Herald “Perhaps the strongest piece of writing at this year’s Fringe.” - Adventures in Theatreland "As a school shooting survivor, you carry emotions that are often too overwhelming, complicated, and isolating to put into words. This play captured those feelings and it gave language to the fear, anger, numbness, and confusion that so many of us live with every day. Watching it felt like being seen, like someone finally understood what’s so hard to explain." - Olivia, school shooting survivor