Ghosts of Bogotá

by Diana Burbano

Diana Burbano’s GHOSTS OF BOGOTÁ is the story of three siblings, now late 20s to late 30s, who return to their parents’ birth country when their grandfather dies. GHOSTS is a universal story about family secrets, told through a very specific Latinx lens, and a story about that unique immigrant experience of never feeling fully at home in any country that can claim you.

Diana Burbano’s GHOSTS OF BOGOTÁ is the story of three siblings, now late 20s to late 30s, who return to their parents’ birth country when their grandfather dies. GHOSTS is a universal story about family secrets, told through a very specific Latinx lens, and a story about that unique immigrant experience of never feeling fully at home in any country that can claim you.

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Ghosts of Bogotá

Recommended by

  • Alicia Margarita Olivo: Ghosts of Bogotá by Diana Burbano
    “

    Simultaneously heartbreaking and gleeful, Ghosts of Bogotá is the play I wish I could’ve been able to read when I was younger. There is so much thematic material packed into this piece, and it never skips a step in telling a complex story about healing. I can’t wait for the day I get to watch this on a stage.

    Simultaneously heartbreaking and gleeful, Ghosts of Bogotá is the play I wish I could’ve been able to read when I was younger. There is so much thematic material packed into this piece, and it never skips a step in telling a complex story about healing. I can’t wait for the day I get to watch this on a stage.

    ”
  • Rachel Luann Strayer: Ghosts of Bogotá by Diana Burbano
    “

    A challenging, thought-provoking piece that deals not only with the repercussions of abuse, but with the question of what we inherit from those who came before. Surprisingly funny, but also tender, lyrical and moving.

    A challenging, thought-provoking piece that deals not only with the repercussions of abuse, but with the question of what we inherit from those who came before. Surprisingly funny, but also tender, lyrical and moving.

    ”
  • Nick Malakhow: Ghosts of Bogotá by Diana Burbano
    “

    What a spectacular piece that navigates a tightrope walk between comedy, drama, and fantasy in a deft way that feels complex, eclectic and yet cohesive and aesthetically unified. The larger narrative of family trauma, abuse, healing, patriarchal structures, and toxic masculinity definitely feels universal and troublingly relevant. At the same time, the characters' social, political, and cultural context is so specific it adds numerous nuances and complexities to the larger themes addressed. It feels brilliantly theatrical and like the kind of play a production team couldn't wait to dive into...

    What a spectacular piece that navigates a tightrope walk between comedy, drama, and fantasy in a deft way that feels complex, eclectic and yet cohesive and aesthetically unified. The larger narrative of family trauma, abuse, healing, patriarchal structures, and toxic masculinity definitely feels universal and troublingly relevant. At the same time, the characters' social, political, and cultural context is so specific it adds numerous nuances and complexities to the larger themes addressed. It feels brilliantly theatrical and like the kind of play a production team couldn't wait to dive into. Hope to see it live!

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    ”
View all 9 recommendations

Character Information

  • Lola
    Eldest sibling. Eldest sibling. Dramatic, overbearing, annoying. Successful TV showrunner. Not into sympathy.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Sandy
    Middle sibling. No nonsense, practical, brutally honest, but has a very squishy center
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Bruno
    Youngest sibling. Hip, maybe TOO hip, very little Spanish.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Nena
    Their grandmother's ghost. Funny, Bubbly. Can double Teresa.
    Latino,
    Latino -- Colombian
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Teresa
    The young woman who cared for Saúl. Smart. Manipulative. Speaks Spanish. Can double Nena
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Jesus
    A creepy Jesus head in a jar. Can double Saúl.
  • Saúl
    The ghost of the dead man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man

Development History

  • Commission, Alter Theatre AlterLab, 2019
  • Reading, nuVoices at Actors Theatre of Charlotte, 2019

Production History

Awards

  • Rella Lossy
    Bay Area Theatre Conference
    Winner
    2019