The Deliverance by Daysha Veronica

A family in a shrinking black farming community in Texas have a deep spiritual and historical connection with the land that is being disrupted by climate change. So, when a land investor takes interest in buying their land, they must weigh which option is best for their future and their freedom.
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The Deliverance

Recommended by

  • Playwrights Foundation:
    28 Dec. 2022
    “ The community of national & local readers for the 45th Bay Area Playwrights Festival in 2022 enthusiastically recommends THE DELIVERANCE as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation. We were deeply moved by this play's investigation of freedom and healing generationally. The play asks: How can we hold onto land if we do not ask what it means to hold onto ourselves? We were compelled by this play's promise in its familial takeaway and fantastical elements. We hope this play is widely read, finds dedicated collaborators, and moves swiftly towards production. #BAPF2022 ”
  • Rachel Bublitz:
    29 Nov. 2021
    “ THE DELIVERANCE weaves family, history, curses, and farming together to create a theatrically stunning evening of theater. It jumps off the page, I would love to see it fully realized on stage. As epic as "The Grapes of Wrath," but adds in the intersectionality of race with poverty for an even harder punch of truth. ”

Character Information

- The following characters MUST be doubled in this order:

Lorraine/Mama Ola,

Donna/Asase Yaa,

Harvest Dancers/The Fields.

  • MAMA OLA
    N/A,
    Black, African American
    ,
    woman
    griot, storyteller; holder of history.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • LORRAINE HOWARD
    60,
    Black, African American
    ,
    woman
    Wife of Curtis.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • LENNY HOWARD
    40,
    Black, African American
    ,
    Man
    Eldest son of Curtis. 5th generation farmer. Next in line to inherit the farm.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • JOHN CRAWFORD
    62,
    Black, African American
    ,
    Man
    Neighboring farmer.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • HARVEST DANCERS
    N/A,
    Black, African American
    ,
    Any gender
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • GREG HOWARD
    35,
    Black, African American
    ,
    Man
    Youngest son of Curtis. Has recently finished business school.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • FIELDS
    N/A, Array,
    N/A
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • DONNA HOWARD
    35,
    Black, African American
    ,
    woman
    Wife of Lenny. 7 Months pregnant with their first child.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • DON RICHARDS
    50s-60s,
    White
    ,
    Man
    Investor.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • CURTIS HOWARD
    66,
    Black, African American
    ,
    Man
    Howard family patriarch. 4th generation farmer. Owner of the Howard family farm.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • ASASE YAA
    N/A,
    Black, African American
    ,
    woman
    Mother Earth; bearer of life.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female

Development History