DISCLOSURE

by Carol Lashof

Where is the line between memory and truth, pleasure and transgression, love and the abuse of power? Who decides?

For decades, Maya has kept silent about the abuse she suffered as a child at the hands of her uncle. Now she is determined to tell her story, confront the past, and move on. But every step she takes in pursuit of closure leads her deeper into conflict with the people she loves the most. Her mother...

Where is the line between memory and truth, pleasure and transgression, love and the abuse of power? Who decides?

For decades, Maya has kept silent about the abuse she suffered as a child at the hands of her uncle. Now she is determined to tell her story, confront the past, and move on. But every step she takes in pursuit of closure leads her deeper into conflict with the people she loves the most. Her mother is shocked and sympathetic, but resists Maya’s framing of events. How could she have known? How is she to blame? The abuse happened so long ago, why dwell on it now? In the meantime, Maya becomes increasingly vigilant and anxious in respect to her son, a college senior. He’s madly in love with a graduate student who is his teacher. Is their relationship abusive? Does she have a responsibility to intervene?

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DISCLOSURE

Recommended by

  • Valerie Weak: DISCLOSURE

    As a cast member of the original production, I really enjoyed this script! Nuanced roles and relationships between characters, and a non-cliched examination of the intersection of sexuality and power. Terrific arc, 3 dimensional female characters of multiple ages. Excellent source for monologue and scene work as well as deserving of more productions. Has only become more timely since our 2015 production.

    As a cast member of the original production, I really enjoyed this script! Nuanced roles and relationships between characters, and a non-cliched examination of the intersection of sexuality and power. Terrific arc, 3 dimensional female characters of multiple ages. Excellent source for monologue and scene work as well as deserving of more productions. Has only become more timely since our 2015 production.

  • Paula Kamen: DISCLOSURE

    As a mother, and as a child of a mother, I strongly connected to this play. With wit and suspense, Lashof explores the constant struggle across three generations of one family -- of when to know when to fight to protect one's child and when to just let go. Here, with a thorny secret disclosed, the stakes couldn't be higher, threatening the family to its core. We become quickly invested in these complex and erudite characters, as they seek the same level of insights for dealing with relationships as they have about Proust and Foucault, which are straightforward by comparison.

    As a mother, and as a child of a mother, I strongly connected to this play. With wit and suspense, Lashof explores the constant struggle across three generations of one family -- of when to know when to fight to protect one's child and when to just let go. Here, with a thorny secret disclosed, the stakes couldn't be higher, threatening the family to its core. We become quickly invested in these complex and erudite characters, as they seek the same level of insights for dealing with relationships as they have about Proust and Foucault, which are straightforward by comparison.

Character Information

Three women of three distinct generations and one man, early twenties.
  • Adam
    Adam is an undergraduate student at an elite university. He is the son of MAYA and the grandson of ANNA.
    Character Age
    21
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Man
  • Janice
    Janice is a graduate teaching assistant at an elite university.
    Character Age
    29
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Woman or non-binary
  • Anna
    A professional woman who supported her household and raised her daughter. She is the mother of MAYA and the grandmother of ADAM.
    Character Age
    60s-70s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    woman
  • Maya
    A professional woman who has supported her household and raised her son. Daughter of ANNA and mother of ADAM.
    Character Age
    40s-50s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Woman or non-binary

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Virago Theatre, Year 2014
  • Type Reading, Organization Playwrights Center of San Francisco, Year 2013

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Those Women Productions, Year 2015