Buzz

by Hope Villanueva

Alicia is at the forefront of her industry as a entomologist, studying insect communities in the field, but age is catching up with her in a young person's game. After a series of small injuries and now getting older, she is pressured to work harder than ever to keep from becoming irrelevant. When murder hornets invade the United States, Alicia gathers Eden, an old co-worker and friend, and Eden's young...

Alicia is at the forefront of her industry as a entomologist, studying insect communities in the field, but age is catching up with her in a young person's game. After a series of small injuries and now getting older, she is pressured to work harder than ever to keep from becoming irrelevant. When murder hornets invade the United States, Alicia gathers Eden, an old co-worker and friend, and Eden's young graduate student, Lizzie, to hunt the hornets and protect her career. Mixing science, dreams, and magical realism, BUZZ, explores the pressures on women and the struggle to hold on to your dreams.

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Buzz

Recommended by

  • Robin Rice: Buzz by Hope Villanueva
    “

    Villanueva definitely knows how to bring a metaphor alive in a dramatic, enticing way! I fully appreciate the parallels between humans and insects. Choosing to delve into the murder hornet vs honey bee drama was genius. Seeing the women struggle to work together - as bees struggle for survival - as the world struggles with climate change - a very relatable and relevant play. I especially admire how the complex relationship between the long-time friends is drawn.

    Villanueva definitely knows how to bring a metaphor alive in a dramatic, enticing way! I fully appreciate the parallels between humans and insects. Choosing to delve into the murder hornet vs honey bee drama was genius. Seeing the women struggle to work together - as bees struggle for survival - as the world struggles with climate change - a very relatable and relevant play. I especially admire how the complex relationship between the long-time friends is drawn.

    ”
  • Ally Varitek: Buzz by Hope Villanueva
    “

    This one is especially my jam in terms of theme, so perhaps a bit biased, but... Well-rounded scientist women characters? An entomologist who gets metaphysical when she sleeps? A fight sequence between insects? It's buzz-tacular! Its magical realism is cleverly and creatively crafted. This play is such an effective vehicle for varying personalities and different generations trying to find a way to communicate with each other, survive, and fight against patriarchy. I especially admire the ways in which its fully formed characters challenge and rewrite stereotypes about women in science. I want...

    This one is especially my jam in terms of theme, so perhaps a bit biased, but... Well-rounded scientist women characters? An entomologist who gets metaphysical when she sleeps? A fight sequence between insects? It's buzz-tacular! Its magical realism is cleverly and creatively crafted. This play is such an effective vehicle for varying personalities and different generations trying to find a way to communicate with each other, survive, and fight against patriarchy. I especially admire the ways in which its fully formed characters challenge and rewrite stereotypes about women in science. I want to see this produced! #SparkFest24

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    ”
  • Kelsey Sullivan: Buzz by Hope Villanueva
    “

    BUZZ is filled with magic in every crevice, whether it is a scene that (masterfully) uses magical realism or not. How VILLANUEVA writes about institutional misogyny, ageism, and ecological disaster, and yet keeps a strong undercurrent of softness, heart, and friendship flowing throughout is a true marvel. The characters, the theatricality, the story, the themes - everything comes together to create a truly exciting, tantalizing, and thoughtful show that artists would be lucky to be a part of.

    BUZZ is filled with magic in every crevice, whether it is a scene that (masterfully) uses magical realism or not. How VILLANUEVA writes about institutional misogyny, ageism, and ecological disaster, and yet keeps a strong undercurrent of softness, heart, and friendship flowing throughout is a true marvel. The characters, the theatricality, the story, the themes - everything comes together to create a truly exciting, tantalizing, and thoughtful show that artists would be lucky to be a part of.

    ”
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Character Information

Three women and two any. If desired, you may add as many bees, puppeters, etc as you like.
  • Alicia
    Experienced researcher. Team leader. Precise and determined. The same actor plays Young Alicia, in her 20s, in dreams.
    40s
    BIPOC
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Eden
    Experienced researcher. Former work partners with Alicia.
    20s
    BIPOC
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Lizzie
    New apprentice researcher, mid 20s. She's on her first field work outing.
    20s
    BIPOC
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Hornet
    They're insects. Evil. The embodiment of the murder hornets of nightmares.
    Any
    Any
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Bees
    They're insects. Minimum 1, but as many as possible. Actors or puppets or whatever works. Get crazy.
    Any
    Any
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+

Development History

  • Reading, Valdez Theatre Conference, 2023
  • Reading, Rapid Lemon Productions, Baltimore, 2022

Awards

  • SparkFest
    Amphibian Stage
    Finalist
    2024
  • O'Neill National Playwright Conference
    Semi-Finalist
    2023