Paradise

Yasmeen Al-Hamadi is a Muslim, Yemeni-American senior at a struggling inner-city Bronx high school. Dr. Guy Royston is her disaffected science teacher, a former Evangelical with a mysterious past. An unlikely research team, together they embark on a neurological study, leading to stormy conflicts over love, faith and culture. An Ensemble Studio Theatre/Alfred P. Sloan commissioned play and finalist for the...

Yasmeen Al-Hamadi is a Muslim, Yemeni-American senior at a struggling inner-city Bronx high school. Dr. Guy Royston is her disaffected science teacher, a former Evangelical with a mysterious past. An unlikely research team, together they embark on a neurological study, leading to stormy conflicts over love, faith and culture. An Ensemble Studio Theatre/Alfred P. Sloan commissioned play and finalist for the 2016 Saroyan/Paul Playwriting Prize for Human Rights.

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Paradise

Recommended by

  • Kate Danley: Paradise

    A really beautiful and respectful examination of dreams, love, duty, religion, and humanity. It has flavors of Educating Rita but for a modern audience. A fabulous two-hander that will keep audiences talking long after the curtain has fallen!

    A really beautiful and respectful examination of dreams, love, duty, religion, and humanity. It has flavors of Educating Rita but for a modern audience. A fabulous two-hander that will keep audiences talking long after the curtain has fallen!

  • Tanya O'Debra: Paradise

    This a gorgeous play about power differentials, the ways people under and overestimate each other, and the ways people shortchange themselves when they make assumptions.

    This a gorgeous play about power differentials, the ways people under and overestimate each other, and the ways people shortchange themselves when they make assumptions.

  • Lainie Vansant: Paradise

    This is a lovely play that presents two people with very different viewpoints and treats each of them very seriously. My brain has been chewing on Censabella's words and ideas for a couple of days now and I think this very well may have permanently changed the way I think about young people and their decision-making. It's definitely worth a read or a listen!

    This is a lovely play that presents two people with very different viewpoints and treats each of them very seriously. My brain has been chewing on Censabella's words and ideas for a couple of days now and I think this very well may have permanently changed the way I think about young people and their decision-making. It's definitely worth a read or a listen!

View all 10 recommendations

Character Information

  • Yasmeen al-Hamadi
    Slight Bronx Accent
    Character Age
    Looks 17
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Middle Eastern, North African, or South Asian
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Dr. Guy Royston
    Rural Virginian accent
    Character Age
    40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White,
    African American/Black
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization The Playwrights Laboratory - London, Year 2023
  • Type Workshop, Organization Gulfshore Playhouse - 4th New Works Festival, Year 2016
  • Type Workshop, Organization Portland Stage, Little Festival of the Unexpected, Year 2015
  • Type Commission, Organization Ensemble Studio Theatre/Alfred P. Sloan Foundation,
  • Type Residency, Organization Space on Ryder Farm,

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Mendocino Theater Company, Year 2023
  • Type Professional, Organization L.A. Theatre Works, Podcast (also available on Audible), Year 2021
  • Type Professional, Organization The Matrix Theatre - Extended from Odyssey run (Viola Davis, Julius Tennon, John Cappetta, producers), Year 2019
  • Type Professional, Organization Visiting Production at The Odyssey Theatre (producers Viola Davis, Julius Tennon and John Cappetta), Year 2019
  • Type Professional, Organization Luna Stage, Year 2017
  • Type Professional, Organization Passage Theatre, Year 2017
  • Type Professional, Organization Underground Railway/Central Square Theater, Year 2017

Awards

  • Judith Royer Award for Excellence in Playwriting
    ATHE
    Winner
    2024
  • Outstanding New Script
    Elliott Norton Award
    Finalist
    2018
  • 2018 IRNE Award, Best New Play, Small/Midsize Stage
    Independent Reviewers of New England
    Winner
    2018
  • Jane Chambers Playwriting Award
    ATHE
    Honorable Mention
    2017
  • Woodward/Newman Playwriting Award
    Bloomington Playwrights Project
    Finalist
    2016
  • Saroyan/Paul Playwriting Prize for Human Rights
    ADAA
    Runner Up
    2016