Where Storms Are Born

by Harrison David Rivers

Mourning the loss of her elder son Myles, Bethea tries to help her younger son Gideon through his grief. But as revelations surrounding Myles’ incarceration and death emerge, both mother and son must decide whether to fight or let go. With wit and empathy, this play reminds us of the courage and resilience it takes to chart a better way forward for the ones we love.

Mourning the loss of her elder son Myles, Bethea tries to help her younger son Gideon through his grief. But as revelations surrounding Myles’ incarceration and death emerge, both mother and son must decide whether to fight or let go. With wit and empathy, this play reminds us of the courage and resilience it takes to chart a better way forward for the ones we love.

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Where Storms Are Born

Recommended by

  • Shaun Leisher: Where Storms Are Born by Harrison David Rivers
    “

    A really great memory play. Love how complex Gideon and Bethea's individual connections are with Myles and how they choose to remember him. Love how queerness is never questioned or a main point of contention in this play.

    A really great memory play. Love how complex Gideon and Bethea's individual connections are with Myles and how they choose to remember him. Love how queerness is never questioned or a main point of contention in this play.

    ”
  • Nick Malakhow: Where Storms Are Born by Harrison David Rivers
    “

    An exquisite and beautiful play that explores grief in a nuanced and uniquely theatrical way. Every character rings with truth and humanity. Bethea's extremely complex relationships with Gideon and Myles (and her grief) in the aftermath of Myles' death feel so multi-dimensional and beautifully realized. I love how Rivers tells this story in nuanced scenes that avoid melodramatics. The culminating explosive moments feel earned and well worth waiting for. The spectre of Myles haunts the Solomon family but not in a gimmicky or overwrought way. The ending stage picture--as well as many before it-...

    An exquisite and beautiful play that explores grief in a nuanced and uniquely theatrical way. Every character rings with truth and humanity. Bethea's extremely complex relationships with Gideon and Myles (and her grief) in the aftermath of Myles' death feel so multi-dimensional and beautifully realized. I love how Rivers tells this story in nuanced scenes that avoid melodramatics. The culminating explosive moments feel earned and well worth waiting for. The spectre of Myles haunts the Solomon family but not in a gimmicky or overwrought way. The ending stage picture--as well as many before it--is sublime!

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    ”
  • Eugene O'Neill Theater Center: Where Storms Are Born by Harrison David Rivers
    “

    It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Harrison David Rivers and their play WHERE STORMS ARE BORN as a finalist for our 2015 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one finalist out of hundreds of submissions, the strength of this play’s writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process.

    It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Harrison David Rivers and their play WHERE STORMS ARE BORN as a finalist for our 2015 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one finalist out of hundreds of submissions, the strength of this play’s writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process.

    ”

Character Information

  • Bethea Solomon
    Engaged and protective.
    You’d be a fool to cross her.
    50s
    Black
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Gideon Solomon
    A sensitive, dutiful son.
    He has a beautiful smile—he should smile more.
    20s
    Black
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Myles Solomon
    Charming and charismatic.
    Could have been anything.
    30s
    Black
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Worthy Bell
    Calls it like she sees it.
    Ride or die.
    20s
    Black
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Benton Massey
    Knows how to use what he has to get what he wants.
    Sexy as fuck.
    20-30s
    Black
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Luke Jacobs
    A corrections officer.
    A Boy Scout with an edge.
    20-30s
    Any (but probably white)
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Workshop, Williamstown Theatre Festival, 2016
  • Workshop, Labyrinth Theatre Company, 2015

Production History

  • Professional, WIlliamstown Theatre Festival, 2017

Awards

  • Edgerton Foundation New Play Award
    2017
  • Finalist
    O’Neill National Playwrights Conference
    2015