A young woman goes on a journey.
Actually, several women go on their journeys.
Actually, everyone is sort of going on a journey.
In search of something big.
(Like, healing. Revenge. Safety. Autonomy. A clean slate. The Divine. And clarity regarding swans.)
In this fever-dream play of origin stories, the ancient canon, and the myth of Leda & the Swan, a searching,...
A young woman goes on a journey.
Actually, several women go on their journeys.
Actually, everyone is sort of going on a journey.
In search of something big.
(Like, healing. Revenge. Safety. Autonomy. A clean slate. The Divine. And clarity regarding swans.)
In this fever-dream play of origin stories, the ancient canon, and the myth of Leda & the Swan, a searching, unruly ensemble of women, girls, men, and boys all journey, lay eggs, question, turn into eggs, suffer, hatch from eggs, and rebel -- to the awe and dismay of their Playwright -- who is struggling to make sense of them, the world, and her own story, all of it spinning wildly out of control.
A play about eggs ‘n’ swans ‘n’ gods ‘n’ humanfolk, THE EGG-LAYERS is a wild raw angry feminist ensemble play filled with movement, myth, transformation, humor, and theatrical dynamism. It’s asking questions about how to live in a dark and violent world with openness and connection. About what to do with the narratives we inherit. About being shaped by inherited trauma. About how to heal. About how to trust. And about how to create yourself anew.
Recommend
Download
Save to Reading List
The Egg-Layers
Recommended by
Cheryl Bear:
8 Nov. 2021
“
A marvelous glimpse into coming to be in their own journeys through the process of hatching while the creator observes. Well done! ”
Tristan B Willis:
16 Oct. 2017
“
I'm a sucker for art about process, the meeting of inconsistencies, and things turning into other things and The Egg-Layers does not disappoint! The Egg-Layers explores the origin story of myth and creator, interweaving the Playwright's development with myths' performance/discussion in a way that simply must be performed and viewed live. Simply, this play wouldn't make a better movie. Even the stage directions burst with personality and life. (I particularly liked "So was it awful or sexy or both and is he okay?") ”
Eugene O'Neill Theater Center:
12 May. 2017
“
It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Lauren Feldman and their play The Egg-Layers as a finalist for our 2014 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one finalist out of hundreds of submissions, the strength of this play’s writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process. ”
This play is performed with a cast of 5 women and 3 men.
All roles are played by an ensemble in their 20’s-40’s, except perhaps The Pet/Puppeteer.
Please cast a diverse ensemble.
Development History
Reading
,
Stable Cable
,
2014
Workshop
,
The Inkwell
,
2013
Commission
,
New Georges/Barnard College
,
2012
Workshop
,
Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre
,
2010
Production History
University
,
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
,
2018
University
,
Barnard College/New Georges
,
2012
Workshop
,
Williamstown Theatre Festival/Director's Lab
,
2009
Awards
Honorable Mention
,
Jane Chambers Playwriting Award
,
ATHE
,
2015
Finalist
,
O'Neill National Playwrights Conference
,
2014
Finalist
,
Source Festival
,
CulturalDC
,
2014
Finalist
,
"Risk Is This" Festival
,
Cutting Ball
,
2014
Doric Wilson Independent Playwright Award Nomination