Why Birds Fly

by Emma Goldman-Sherman

FULL LENGTH 2020 Unicorn Finalist, 2-hander that could be produced outdoors - After a devastating storm, Grace tries to rebuild, but Mary is desperate to escape. This is my deconstruction of a kitchen sink play with the sink torn from its pipes. This highly physical piece runs in real time as a comic tragedy or a tragic comedy - audience gets to choose on this emotional ride. Why Birds Fly is a mythic play about...

FULL LENGTH 2020 Unicorn Finalist, 2-hander that could be produced outdoors - After a devastating storm, Grace tries to rebuild, but Mary is desperate to escape. This is my deconstruction of a kitchen sink play with the sink torn from its pipes. This highly physical piece runs in real time as a comic tragedy or a tragic comedy - audience gets to choose on this emotional ride. Why Birds Fly is a mythic play about the primal human instinct to survive.

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Why Birds Fly

Recommended by

  • Ross Tedford Kendall: Why Birds Fly by Emma Goldman-Sherman
    “

    The playwright upends genre conventions in this dark meld of a domestic drama and horror storytelling, and both work together beautifully. At turns tragic and funny, it moves briskly, hits hard, and leaves an impression that lingers far after you've put the script down and left the theatre.

    The playwright upends genre conventions in this dark meld of a domestic drama and horror storytelling, and both work together beautifully. At turns tragic and funny, it moves briskly, hits hard, and leaves an impression that lingers far after you've put the script down and left the theatre.

    ”
  • JULIA PASCAL: Why Birds Fly by Emma Goldman-Sherman
    “

    A compelling two hander with extraordinary poignant language and emotional punch. This is timeless, poetic and can work in any space. Goldman-Sherman is an international writer of huge importance.

    A compelling two hander with extraordinary poignant language and emotional punch. This is timeless, poetic and can work in any space. Goldman-Sherman is an international writer of huge importance.

    ”
  • Daniel Prillaman: Why Birds Fly by Emma Goldman-Sherman
    “

    Should we discover the means, I would love nothing more than to condense this play into liquid form and inject it directly into my veins. Goldman-Sherman has crafted a mythic explosion that is enchanting and visually-striking, creepy and keening, rooted in survival and the stretch of the patriarchy even after the world’s end. The playground of a setting lifts inspiration from Beckett’s tramps, but blessedly gives women the spotlight for once, locked in a struggle for freedom and safety. A staggering piece of work that 100 words does not give me enough space to sing its brilliance. Highly...

    Should we discover the means, I would love nothing more than to condense this play into liquid form and inject it directly into my veins. Goldman-Sherman has crafted a mythic explosion that is enchanting and visually-striking, creepy and keening, rooted in survival and the stretch of the patriarchy even after the world’s end. The playground of a setting lifts inspiration from Beckett’s tramps, but blessedly gives women the spotlight for once, locked in a struggle for freedom and safety. A staggering piece of work that 100 words does not give me enough space to sing its brilliance. Highly recommend.

    read more
    ”
View all 10 recommendations

Character Information

The women may be any ages - this does not need to be realistic in any sense. But this was first envisioned for an adult actor playing a teen, and a young woman (mid-20s-30s) playing the Older Woman who should be about 12-14 years older than the Younger Woman. This is a highly physical play.
  • OLDER WOMAN aka GRACE
    GRACE could be the mother of YOUNGER WOMAN (MARY). She has a head wound that is bleeding. She is also leaking breast milk.
    30+
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • YOUNGER WOMAN aka MARY
    YOUNGER WOMAN/MARY looks as if she hasn’t seen the light of day in many months. She bleeds down her thighs and has hours ago given birth, leaks colostrum from her breasts. She is not a child although she may seem child-like at times. Desperate to leave. Should be played by an adult over 18 but may seem younger than 18.
    teens +
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Reading, The Dramatists Guild/29th Street Playwrights Collective, 2019

Production History

  • University, University of Iowa Festival Production, 1997

Awards

  • In-Progress New Play Reading Series
    Unicorn Theatre
    Finalist
    2020
  • RISK IS THIS FESTIVAL
    CUTTING BALL, San Francisco
    Semi-Finalist
    2014