Mud & Fire: The Pottery Play

​​(3f, 2m, 90 min) Rayna Zimmerman accepts a pottery apprenticeship at Sam Ortega's studio in Tucson, AZ, hoping to learn from a master. But her ambition and impulsive energy clash with the quiet life of privacy and discipline he's cultivated after the burnout of unwelcome fame. As Ray tries to coax Sam to help launch her career, the desert has other lessons for her about climate, borders, community, and what it...

​​(3f, 2m, 90 min) Rayna Zimmerman accepts a pottery apprenticeship at Sam Ortega's studio in Tucson, AZ, hoping to learn from a master. But her ambition and impulsive energy clash with the quiet life of privacy and discipline he's cultivated after the burnout of unwelcome fame. As Ray tries to coax Sam to help launch her career, the desert has other lessons for her about climate, borders, community, and what it means to be forged through fire.

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Mud & Fire: The Pottery Play

Recommended by

  • Brian James Polak: Mud & Fire: The Pottery Play

    Mud & Fire is a powerful story about immigration and belonging. It's also fun, funny, and smart like all Lindsay Joelle's plays. I was hooked from the jump when the world of the play involved pottery, something I know nothing about but am fascinated by. The character's occupying the world are charming, clever, and imperfect yet perfect vessels for this story. I really hope this play finds a life on stages all over the country because not only will people enjoy it, I think it will do some good.

    Mud & Fire is a powerful story about immigration and belonging. It's also fun, funny, and smart like all Lindsay Joelle's plays. I was hooked from the jump when the world of the play involved pottery, something I know nothing about but am fascinated by. The character's occupying the world are charming, clever, and imperfect yet perfect vessels for this story. I really hope this play finds a life on stages all over the country because not only will people enjoy it, I think it will do some good.

Character Information

  • SAM ORTEGA
    A master potter. Values technique, tradition, privacy.
    Character Age
    60s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Latino -- Mexican
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • RAYNA "RAY" ZIMMERMAN
    Sam's new apprentice. Passionate but undisciplined.
    Character Age
    33
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White,
    Jewish
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • MARISOL "MARI"
    A list-maker, lunch-packer, good mom in a lousy marriage.
    Character Age
    40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Latina or Latina/bi-racial
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • J.C.
    Politically engaged eco-warrior. The guy at the party who makes sure you're okay and doesn't try anything. Doubles as JASON, the guy at the party who's maybe the reason you're not okay.
    Character Age
    20s-30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • JAN
    Feisty and funny. Presents like a Bernie voter, except she's not.
    Character Age
    70s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Female

Development History