Actors Collaborative Toledo Presents Lauren Gunderson's I and You

Daily Dose  |  06/29/2026 9:00 am

Actors Collaborative Toledo (ACT) invites audiences to experience the moving and thought-provoking play I and You by acclaimed playwright Lauren Gunderson. Directed by Barbara Barkan, the production will be performed in the Chapel Theatre at Trinity Episcopal Church, 316 Adams Street, in downtown Toledo.

Performances are scheduled for Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on July 26 at 2:00 p.m.

A poignant exploration of life, love, loss, and the profound impact of human connection, I and You follows Caroline, a witty but isolated teenager confined to her home by illness, whose carefully guarded world is unexpectedly disrupted when her classmate Anthony arrives with a school project. What begins as an awkward assignment gradually unfolds into a deeply emotional and surprising journey that reminds us how even the briefest encounters can change us forever.

Director Barbara Barkan was drawn to the play's emotional depth and unexpected storytelling.

"It's a bit of a tricky mystery, a unique kind of love story. It underscores the importance of human connection and hope," Barkan said.

Ella Culbreath, who portrays Caroline, believes audiences will connect with the play's emotional honesty.

"I and You is such a wonderful story about love and loss. Caroline is so damaged and truly needs someone who just understands, and while she doesn't get that exactly, she gets someone who is the closest thing she can get. This story has so many emotions poured into it and I hope everyone can feel that overwhelming feeling!"

DelShawn Apkan, who plays Anthony, reflected on what makes the story so meaningful.

"The thing I love most about I and You is how it reminds us that even the briefest connections can leave a lasting impact. I'm beyond honored to play Anthony. It has been such a meaningful experience. He approaches life with so much curiosity, kindness, and hope, and it's been a privilege to bring that spirit to the stage."

Tickets are available in advance at www.act419.org. Reduced pricing is available for students and seniors. Because seating in the Chapel Theatre is limited, advance ticket purchases are encouraged.

Free on-street parking is available throughout downtown Toledo. Paid parking is also available in the Four Seagate Parking Garage on St. Clair Street, which offers a convenient direct entrance into Trinity Episcopal Church.

With only two actors and one unforgettable story, I and You promises an intimate theatrical experience filled with humor, heartbreak, hope, and one of contemporary theatre's most memorable endings.

For more information and tickets, visit www.act419.org.