BEAT by Emily Russell

HOPWOOD AWARD FOR DRAMATIC WRITING at the University of Michigan, 2020

It's 2020 in middle America. BEAT meets at the confluence of life-giving and life-taking, following the interconnected stories of daughters, mothers, friends, and the ones in-between. As they strategize for a less gun-violent world, they become recipients of different forms of violences, enacted by strangers, spouses, and...
HOPWOOD AWARD FOR DRAMATIC WRITING at the University of Michigan, 2020

It's 2020 in middle America. BEAT meets at the confluence of life-giving and life-taking, following the interconnected stories of daughters, mothers, friends, and the ones in-between. As they strategize for a less gun-violent world, they become recipients of different forms of violences, enacted by strangers, spouses, and the state. What lives are protected under the guise of "the right to life?" or the right to guns? What does it mean to be the ones who survive? Trauma and its politicization is explored in this story of motherhood, sisterhoods, and survivors.
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BEAT

Recommended by

  • Matt Harmon:
    19 May. 2020
    “ I have seen this play in many forms of development and have savored every bit of it. It is not only timely but timeless with its real-to-life characters and conversations about wealth, love, and sacrifice. The way Russell weaves scenes of collective trauma together results in a profound and heartbreaking quilt. Theaters, pay attention because Emily Russell is a new and bright name in drama. ”

Character Information

DOCTOR will also play the role of GUEST. NEIGHBOR also plays the role of COP.

  • Amelia
    16,
    Any
    ,
    woman, Female
    A high schooler, daughter of a diplomat. She is scholastic, independent, and mature. She is young-looking for her age.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Delilah
    16,
    Any
    ,
    woman, Female
    A high schooler, daughter of working class parents. She is Amelia’s neighbor and best friend. She should look young for her age, but athletic.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Marta
    49,
    Any
    ,
    woman, Female
    A mother, wife, and grocer. She should look aged by the world's work. She is brave but tired.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Pennie
    34,
    African American
    ,
    woman, Female
    A wife, high-school teacher, and aspiring mother. She appears extremely caring and warm. She is also desirous and strong-willed.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Marta's Husband
    49,
    White
    ,
    Man, Male
    A husband, father, and police officer. He should look aged and tired, but physically strong and overpowering.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Pennie's Husband
    36,
    African American
    ,
    Man, Male
    A husband, activist, and aspiring father. He is romantic, affectionate, and passionate. He should appear loving and warm.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Neighbor / Cop
    30s-40s,
    White
    ,
    Man, Male
    Should be someone who seems tough, rude, and controlling.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Doctor / Protestor / Guest
    20s-40s,
    Any
    ,
    Any woman
    Uses she/her pronouns
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    University of Michigan, School of Music, Theatre and Dance
    ,
    2020
  • Workshop
    ,
    University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance
    ,
    2020

Production History

  • University
    ,
    PLAYFEST, University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance (COVID cancellation)
    ,
    2020

Awards

Winner
,
Roy W. Cowden Memorial Fellowship
,
Hopwood Awards
,
2019