THE EQUIVALENT OF SENSATION, full-length play for 5 Women

by Arianna Rose

[Zoom Reading, The Depot, Connecticut, January 2024]
[Community Theatre Production, Femuscripts Inc., Miami and Boca Raton, FL September 2023]
[Online Reading, Just Write! Lakeland (FL), February 2023]
[Online Reading, VS Theatre Company, Los Angeles, CA 2022]
[Online Reading, The Playwrights Center, Minneapolis MN 2022]
[Finalist, Alumnae Theatre Fireworks Festival 2023, Toronto Canada]
[Shortlist finalist, Garry Marshall Theatre New Reading Series 2022, Los Angeles CA]
[Online Workshop & Reading, Playwrights Center of Minneapolis, July 2022]
[Reading, Miami-Dade Playwright Development Program, Miami FL March 2022]
[Online Reading, Finstrom Festival of New Works, Zoetic Stage, Miami, June 2021]
[shortlist, Garry Marshall Theatre New Reading Series 2021, Los Angeles CA]
[Top Ten finalist, Charles M. Getchell New Play Contest, SETC, 2021]
[Top Three finalist, Del Shores Foundation 2021 Playwriting Competition]
[semi-finalist, Fulton Theatre, 2020, PA]

Sisters Etta and Claribel Cone, long dead, materialize at the unveiling of the million dollar renovation of their renowned Cone Collection at the Baltimore Museum of Modern Art. Old friend Gertrude Stein and her paramour Alice Toklas pop up uninvited, much to Etta’s dismay. As tensions grow between the four, they resolve to recreate their stories in an effort to uncover the truth. Etta struggles with her feelings for Gertrude and her modern art proclivities, at direct odds with her Victorian mores. Through a series of evocative vignettes, we are transported back to Baltimore, Paris and Italy at the turn of the century. We learn what happened to derail the friendships and suspected affair between Etta and Gertrude, and how Gertrude and Alice came to be. At its heart, THE EQUIVALENT OF SENSATION is about learning the lessons of your life, a tribute to feminism, and defiance in a time when women were expected to be heterosexual homemakers.

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THE EQUIVALENT OF SENSATION, full-length play for 5 Women

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Tom Erb: THE EQUIVALENT OF SENSATION, full-length play for 5 Women by Arianna Rose

“

Arianna Rose’s “The Equivalent of Sensation” is a masterful play that brings to life the art world’s vibrancy through sharp dialogue and robust character development. The plot navigates through time with ease, offering a whimsical and profound tone. The theme of art as a reflection of life is clear and thought-provoking. The dialogue is fluid and evocative, making the historical journey of Etta Cone and her contemporaries accessible and deeply moving. It’s a rich, imaginative experience highly recommended for creative storytelling. Would love to see this staged.

Arianna Rose’s “The Equivalent of Sensation” is a masterful play that brings to life the art world’s vibrancy through sharp dialogue and robust character development. The plot navigates through time with ease, offering a whimsical and profound tone. The theme of art as a reflection of life is clear and thought-provoking. The dialogue is fluid and evocative, making the historical journey of Etta Cone and her contemporaries accessible and deeply moving. It’s a rich, imaginative experience highly recommended for creative storytelling. Would love to see this staged.

”
The Depot for New Play Readings: THE EQUIVALENT OF SENSATION, full-length play for 5 Women by Arianna Rose

“

In “The Equivalent of Sensation,” Arianna Rose uses simple props and witty repartee to take the audience on a furious journey from staid Baltimore to the avant-garde salons of Paris, evoking ocean liners, trolleys, WWI ambulances, bats and dogs and cannabis-laced brownies along the way. Reminiscent of Harpo Marx’s comedy, Rose’s imaginative staging focuses on Etta Cone, an early 20th-century art collector. Called back from death, Etta has one night to review her life and discover whether she ever truly lived. The play is both fun and poignant, and a great vehicle for older women actors...

In “The Equivalent of Sensation,” Arianna Rose uses simple props and witty repartee to take the audience on a furious journey from staid Baltimore to the avant-garde salons of Paris, evoking ocean liners, trolleys, WWI ambulances, bats and dogs and cannabis-laced brownies along the way. Reminiscent of Harpo Marx’s comedy, Rose’s imaginative staging focuses on Etta Cone, an early 20th-century art collector. Called back from death, Etta has one night to review her life and discover whether she ever truly lived. The play is both fun and poignant, and a great vehicle for older women actors. Strongly recommended.

read more

”
Samara Siskind: THE EQUIVALENT OF SENSATION, full-length play for 5 Women by Arianna Rose

“

What a fierce, fascinating, funny, and magical play.* I didn't know anything about the Cone sisters prior and am intrigued to learn more. Arianna Rose has crafted a striking interweaving of language, history, memory, and art. Not to mention brilliantly rich roles for five, count 'em five women(!) I really hope to see this live with all its elements of stage magic one day.

What a fierce, fascinating, funny, and magical play.* I didn't know anything about the Cone sisters prior and am intrigued to learn more. Arianna Rose has crafted a striking interweaving of language, history, memory, and art. Not to mention brilliantly rich roles for five, count 'em five women(!) I really hope to see this live with all its elements of stage magic one day.

”

View all 18 recommendations

Character Information

While the women portrayed were Caucasian, this story is written for everyone and the casting should reflect the diversity in our culture.

Etta Cone

woman, 30s+, timid, subservient to older sister Claribel. Household Manager, future Art Collector. Repressed, finds her path through the study and collecting of art and textiles. Loves lace, piano, flowers, family. Her looks are plain. Her figure buried under layers of petticoats and a black skirt, white blouse.

Character Age

30s-60s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any Race/Ethnicity.

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  30s,
  
  40s,
  
  50s,
  
  60s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Female
Claribel Cone

woman, 30s+, “the Empress”, Research Doctor, Public Speaker, Art Collector, charismatic, imperious, austere, demanding. A handsome and imposing woman. Petticoats and black skirt, white or black blouse. Often wore a black velvet cape with purple lining

Character Age

30s-60s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any Race/Ethnicity

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  30s,
  
  40s,
  
  50s,
  
  60s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Female
Gertrude Stein

woman, 30s+, charismatic, outspoken, melodic voice, Writer and Art Collector. Large in every sense of the word. Flouts conventions and dresses for comfort; bohemian.

Character Age

30s-60s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any Race/Ethnicity

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  30s,
  
  40s,
  
  50s,
  
  60s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Female
Alice B. Toklas

woman, 30s+, quiet, determined, jealous streak, writer, lover of music, flowers, cooking, life partner of Gertrude Stein. Always dressed well, wears a succession of fabulous hats, often wears sandals instead of shoes. She also plays Basket the Dog in one scene.

Character Age

30s-60s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any Race/Ethnicity (same as Sammy)

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  30s,
  
  40s,
  
  50s,
  
  60s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Female
Odalisque ("Standing Odalisque Reflected in a Mirror", Henri Matisse, 1923)

(non-verbal) Woman, dancer. Sensuous. Represents the “Standing Odalisque Reflected in a Mirror” by Henri Matisse, 1923. Cone Collection.

Character Age

20s-40s

Character Race/Ethnic Identity

Any Race/Ethnicity

Character Gender Identity

Female
Can be played by:
- Actor Age
  
  20s,
  
  30s,
  
  40s
- Actor Gender Identity
  
  Female

Development History

Type Reading, Organization Just Write Lakeland, Lakeland FL, Year 2023
Type Reading, Organization Playwrights Center of Minneapolis, Year 2022
Type Reading, Organization V.S. Theatre Company, Los Angeles, Year 2022
Type Reading, Organization Playwright Development Program, Miami FL, Year 2022
Type Reading, Organization Finstrom Festival, Zoetic Stage, Miami FL, Year 2021

Production History

Type Community Theater, Organization Femuscripts Inc., Year 2023

Awards

Miami Metro Awards for Best New Play

Broadway World

Finalist

2023
New Works Festival

Garry Marshall Theatre, Los Angeles CA

Semi-Finalist

2021
New Works Theatre Festival

Garry Marshall Theatre, Los Angeles CA

Semi-Finalist

2022
"Bloom" Reading Series

Stay True Theatre Company NYC

Finalist

2021
Playwriting Competition

Del Shores Foundation

Finalist

2021
Fireworks Festival

Alumnae Theatre, Toronto CAN

Finalist

2024
Charles M. Getchell New Play Contest

SETC Region

Finalist

2021

Genre

docudrama/historic,

drama,

experimental,

fantasy,

period

Subject Matter Keywords

Gertrude Stein,

Etta & Claribel Cone,

LGBTQ+ women and art

Length

60-90 minutes

Cast Size

Age of Intended Audience

ages 14-17,

ages 18 and up

Narrative Attributes

Centers Female Characters,

Centers LGBTQ Characters

Supporting Materials

Script Sample

THE EQUIVALENT OF SENSATION_BLIND_1.7.24.pdf

Reviews

ArtBurst Miami

“
...the four main characters examine their lives... a journey of self-discovery that takes a deep look at the impact of women on art and society, all the while showcasing their strength, independence, and true defiance. It was 90 minutes filled with laughter, awe, gasps, and sheer emotion.
”