Rockhound

by Karen Saari

SEEKING DEVELOPMENTAL PREMIERE
Workshop/reading, Shattered Glass Project, 2023

Rain, a lonely widow, has a growing addiction to painkillers and forms a close bond with her kind
but unstable nephew Caleb. Caleb, fighting his own demons, tries to help her cope with
her growing dependency and her grief. They both risk falling prey to the trappings of the
drug trade in their hometown. This play, punctuated with...

SEEKING DEVELOPMENTAL PREMIERE
Workshop/reading, Shattered Glass Project, 2023

Rain, a lonely widow, has a growing addiction to painkillers and forms a close bond with her kind
but unstable nephew Caleb. Caleb, fighting his own demons, tries to help her cope with
her growing dependency and her grief. They both risk falling prey to the trappings of the
drug trade in their hometown. This play, punctuated with humor, shares a look at the
opiate crisis in rural America, particularly Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Companion piece to 'Rain on Fire.

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Rockhound

Recommended by

  • Cam Torres: Rockhound by Karen Saari
    “

    An incredibly touching play about additiction, chronic pain, and ultimately hope. Saari creates characters with nuance and compassion that are both heartbreaking and redemptive. The play’s grounded humor, authentic dialogue, and spiritual surrealism make it an emotionally resonant piece.

    An incredibly touching play about additiction, chronic pain, and ultimately hope. Saari creates characters with nuance and compassion that are both heartbreaking and redemptive. The play’s grounded humor, authentic dialogue, and spiritual surrealism make it an emotionally resonant piece.

    ”
  • Rachel Feeny-Williams: Rockhound by Karen Saari
    “

    Karen Saari has a gift of creating hard hitting but beautiful theatre. The darkness that lies in the background of Rain and Caleb and their substance addictions forms a dark foundation for the piece with the characters brilliantly constructed atop it. Its a piece that keeps giving, you feel for the characters and at the same time you want to see how their lives turn out. Then at the end you can't help but sit back in awe! Powerful with just the right amounts of comedy and darkness so that you can't help but take notice!

    Karen Saari has a gift of creating hard hitting but beautiful theatre. The darkness that lies in the background of Rain and Caleb and their substance addictions forms a dark foundation for the piece with the characters brilliantly constructed atop it. Its a piece that keeps giving, you feel for the characters and at the same time you want to see how their lives turn out. Then at the end you can't help but sit back in awe! Powerful with just the right amounts of comedy and darkness so that you can't help but take notice!

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: Rockhound by Karen Saari
    “

    A powerful play about the struggle to find strength together with a stronger bond than addiction between a widow and her nephew. Moving and well done!

    A powerful play about the struggle to find strength together with a stronger bond than addiction between a widow and her nephew. Moving and well done!

    ”
2W, 1M (3 female characters, Rowena and Marie double)

Development History

Awards

  • 7th Annual Playwrights Voiced
    Relative Theatrics
    Finalist
    2021