Emerson freshman prepares play for New York City

Renee Richard is freshman theatre studies major at Emerson College who wrote “Estrogen and Testosterone,’’ a two-act play that will be performed at the 45th Street Theatre in New York City on Jan. 12. The minimalist play is a tragic love story with only two characters who long to escape their current lives. It is being performed as a fundraiser for the nonprofit organization Artists Striving to End Poverty, a cause that Richard became passionate about during high school.

In preparation, an impromptu set has been established for a rehearsal in a Boston Conservatory practice room above a liquor store on Massachusetts Avenue.

Stage manager Alynn Parola, Richard, and director Daniel Hutchins, watch the rehearsal. Parola and Hutchins both currently attend the Boston Conservatory though they are former classmates of Richard from the Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, Mass.

The male character, Testosterone, rests his hands on his guitar while waiting for the second act to begin. This guitar is one of the only things he brings with him every time he plans to run away. Testosterone is played by Jake Evans, 18, a musical theater major at the Boston Conservatory.

Estrogen rolls her eyes as Testosterone attempts to charm her once again. Serena Kassow, one of 13 Emerson students who auditioned, plays the role.

Estrogen holds a penny tightly in her hands while reuniting with Testosterone. Pennies are an important symbol of the love the characters have for one another.

Estrogen yells at Testosterone in an emotional transition from complacent to furious.

Testosterone explains himself to Estrogen, trying to win back her heart.

Testosterone holds Estrogen up as the play comes to a close.

Estrogen and Testosterone sing a duet to Regina Spektor’s “How’’ during the epilogue. This is the first time Richard has incorporated music into her work and this ended up bring her favorite scene. She chose the particular song because when she first heard it, she wished she had known of the song to get her through the heartbreak that inspired her to write the play.