The City-Women

When two young nuns in a 17th century cloistered convent discover their feelings for each other, they must decide whether to conform to the life that was chosen for them or forge their own path and discover who God truly wants them to be. Set against the backdrop of Latin America during the counter-reformation and drawing on themes introduced in early feminist Christian texts, this coming of age story explores...

When two young nuns in a 17th century cloistered convent discover their feelings for each other, they must decide whether to conform to the life that was chosen for them or forge their own path and discover who God truly wants them to be. Set against the backdrop of Latin America during the counter-reformation and drawing on themes introduced in early feminist Christian texts, this coming of age story explores love, spirituality, and sisterhood, and seeks to redefine what it means to be queer in the eyes of God.

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The City-Women

Character Information

There are 4 principle characters, with an opportunity to have an additional ensemble of 4 that would understudy each of the principle actors and portray the other nuns in the convent throughout the script, though not required. All four characters should be ethnically latine if possible, and Ana must be BIPOC (ideally indigenous), while the other three characters can be any race. Colorism and classism comes into play a little bit in this script: the character of Ana is implied to be of indigenous origin, while the other three characters are implied to be of Spanish colonial origin in a town loosely inspired by Arequipa, Peru. While set in a specific part of the world, this play is first and foremost a universal story about love, queerness, and faith, so I leave casting to the discretion of the director. I utilized critical fabulation in the writing of this piece, so I give full permission to the director to cast this piece as they see fit without feeling the need to be strictly historically accurate.
  • Ana
    A novice nun. Vastly spiritual with a core of fire and a natural aversion to rules and structure.
    Character Age
    16-19
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Latino,
    BIPOC
    Character Gender Identity
    Assigned female at birth -- female or non-binary
  • Teresa
    A novice nun. A true bride of Christ in a traditional sense. A truly humble heart and a quiet strength, and effortlessly funny in an understated way.
    Character Age
    16-19
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any -- preferably Latino
    Character Gender Identity
    Assigned female at birth -- female or non-binary
  • Nicolasa
    The Prioress of the convent. A very hard, strict exterior, but has a soft spot for Ana.
    Character Age
    40-60
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any -- preferably Latino
    Character Gender Identity
    Assigned female at birth -- female or non-binary
  • María
    An initiate nun. Very smart, cunning, and calculated. Life is a chess game and she is always 3 steps ahead of everyone else.
    Character Age
    15-18
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any -- preferably Latino
    Character Gender Identity
    Assigned female at birth -- female or non-binary

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Elon University, Year 2024

Awards

  • Research Project/Scholar of the Year
    Elon University Gender & LGBTQIA Center's Lavender Graduation
    Winner
    2024