We declare you a terrorist...

by Tim J. Lord

After being held hostage in a Moscow theater by terrorists demanding an end to Russia’s war in Chechnya, a Ukrainian-Russian playwright is still haunted by the relationships he made during the crisis and unable to move past the tragic events that surrounded the siege’s conclusion. In a desperate attempt to understand where he and his country have come to he attempts to sneak into Chechnya only to be captured by...

After being held hostage in a Moscow theater by terrorists demanding an end to Russia’s war in Chechnya, a Ukrainian-Russian playwright is still haunted by the relationships he made during the crisis and unable to move past the tragic events that surrounded the siege’s conclusion. In a desperate attempt to understand where he and his country have come to he attempts to sneak into Chechnya only to be captured by Russian agents and suspected of being a terrorist himself. All alone in an interrogation room on the Russian frontier he is forced to confront just what happened during those fifty-seven hours in 2002.

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We declare you a terrorist...

Recommended by

  • Brian James Polak: We declare you a terrorist... by Tim J. Lord
    “

    This is an incredibly tense and deftly crafted play. It is remarkable how a play about such a particular moment in history can feel so present. I am left thinking about how people become activated to stand up against oppressors and how far people could be willing to go to fight for change.

    This is an incredibly tense and deftly crafted play. It is remarkable how a play about such a particular moment in history can feel so present. I am left thinking about how people become activated to stand up against oppressors and how far people could be willing to go to fight for change.

    ”
  • Alli Hartley-Kong: We declare you a terrorist... by Tim J. Lord
    “

    I had the privilege of seeing this play at Round House Theatre, and highly recommend this very timely piece. I knew little about the historical context before-perhaps as little as the character of the Writer- but I now want to learn more about the people and their stories, which is a theme of this play. The characters, particularly in the flashback scenes, were well-drawn and compelling. Masha broke my heart in the best of ways. Ultimately, it's a play about learning to speak truth as a writer when its easier to bury your head in the sand. Timely & well-done.

    I had the privilege of seeing this play at Round House Theatre, and highly recommend this very timely piece. I knew little about the historical context before-perhaps as little as the character of the Writer- but I now want to learn more about the people and their stories, which is a theme of this play. The characters, particularly in the flashback scenes, were well-drawn and compelling. Masha broke my heart in the best of ways. Ultimately, it's a play about learning to speak truth as a writer when its easier to bury your head in the sand. Timely & well-done.

    ”

Character Information

2 men
2 women
  • The Writer
    Mid-40s
    White
    Male
  • The FSB Officer
    40s - 60s
    White
    Male
  • Masha
    16
    White
    Female
  • Kayira
    Mid-20s
    Female

Development History

  • Reading, The Lark, 2019
  • Reading, The Public Theater, 2009
  • Workshop, The New Harmony Project, 2009

Production History

  • Professional, Round House Theatre, 2022
  • Professional, Summer Play Festival, 2009

Awards

  • Edgerton New Play Award
    Edgerton Foundation
    Winner
    2021