Making Some Noise

by Claudia Haas

75-80 minutes. Juliana, Emma and Nell see Nazis and terrorists around every corner. This is noted as the three sisters gather yet again for the anniversary of their mother’s tragic death on 9/11. What is the make-up of a life? Is it reduced to belongings and haphazard memories? They have basically been sitting Shiva every September 11th for fifteen years. Juliana’s grieving tradition has taken a toll on her...

75-80 minutes. Juliana, Emma and Nell see Nazis and terrorists around every corner. This is noted as the three sisters gather yet again for the anniversary of their mother’s tragic death on 9/11. What is the make-up of a life? Is it reduced to belongings and haphazard memories? They have basically been sitting Shiva every September 11th for fifteen years. Juliana’s grieving tradition has taken a toll on her marriage. Emma who is always quick to please anyone is ready for a change. Things are turned upside down when Nell returns home and no longer wishes to continue the grieving tradition. The full length version was an Eugene O'Neill Semi-Finalist.

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Making Some Noise

Recommended by

  • Jacquelyn Floyd-Priskorn: Making Some Noise

    These three sisters have a family tree deeply scarred with immense tragedy. It almost feels a part of their DNA. But this beautiful play is letting them finally acknowledge the scars and still allow themselves to grow new branches, without guilt over finding joy. So beautiful. Like a sad song that lets you release all the tension you've built up over time and open the floodgates to happiness in the future.

    These three sisters have a family tree deeply scarred with immense tragedy. It almost feels a part of their DNA. But this beautiful play is letting them finally acknowledge the scars and still allow themselves to grow new branches, without guilt over finding joy. So beautiful. Like a sad song that lets you release all the tension you've built up over time and open the floodgates to happiness in the future.

  • Morey Norkin: Making Some Noise

    Three sisters gather annually to memorialize their mother, who was a 9/11 victim. Their rituals, lingering grief, and anxiety over future terrorist attacks and rising antisemitism create a palpable tension among them. Claudia Haas brilliantly captures the various stages these sisters find themselves in, from being stuck in the past to making a clean break. Their journey to understand each other and deal with their loss is captivating. Beautifully done.

    Three sisters gather annually to memorialize their mother, who was a 9/11 victim. Their rituals, lingering grief, and anxiety over future terrorist attacks and rising antisemitism create a palpable tension among them. Claudia Haas brilliantly captures the various stages these sisters find themselves in, from being stuck in the past to making a clean break. Their journey to understand each other and deal with their loss is captivating. Beautifully done.

  • Cheryl Bear: Making Some Noise

    A truly spectacular portrait of grief that is so heartfelt as it breaks and moves you beautifully. Excellent.

    A truly spectacular portrait of grief that is so heartfelt as it breaks and moves you beautifully. Excellent.

View all 9 recommendations

Character Information

CAST: 3 females
CAST: 3 (3f)
JULES (f) (28) eldest of the three sisters, carefully preserving 9/11, lawyer
EMMA (f) (25), middle child; still trapped in 9/11; obsessively follows disasters, music teacher
NELL (f) (22) distanced from 9/11 but has never dealt with it;
recent college graduate
  • Nell
    Distanced from 9/11 but has never dealt with it;
    recent college graduate edit
    Character Age
    25
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any (but probably white),
    Jewish
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Emma
    Middle child people-pleaser; still trapped in 9/11; obsessively follows disasters, music teacher
    Character Age
    29
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any (but probably white),
    Jewish
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Jules
    Eldest of the three sisters, carefully preserving 9/11, lawyer
    Character Age
    32
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any (but probably white),
    Jewish
    Character Gender Identity
    Female

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Theatre in the Round Players, Minneapolis, Year 2021
  • Type Reading, Organization The Bechdel Group, NYC, Year 2017
  • Type Reading, Organization Workhouse Theatre (full length version), Year 2016
  • Type Workshop, Organization T.E.A.S.E., Little Lifeboats, Minneapolis, MN, Year 2016