Ophelia Underwater

by Janielle Kastner

Ophelia had everything: the boyfriend, the plan, the dress. Her life was a comedy.
Until it really, really wasn’t.
Set underwater in the mind of Hamlet’s forgotten, drowned heroine seconds after falling (or jumping?), Ophelia cross-examines her story, her existence, and most importantly - her ending. With the clock (literally) running out of time, Ophelia must decide how much she’s willing to pay to be the...

Ophelia had everything: the boyfriend, the plan, the dress. Her life was a comedy.
Until it really, really wasn’t.
Set underwater in the mind of Hamlet’s forgotten, drowned heroine seconds after falling (or jumping?), Ophelia cross-examines her story, her existence, and most importantly - her ending. With the clock (literally) running out of time, Ophelia must decide how much she’s willing to pay to be the author of her own story.

Kastner’s aggressively contemporary play explores the good news, the bad news, and the ultimate cost of being a very good girl.

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Ophelia Underwater

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  • Shaun Leisher: Ophelia Underwater by Janielle Kastner
    “

    A fascinating modern evaluation of one of Shakespeare's most famous tragic heroines. Kastner uses the character of Ophelia to say some thought-provoking things about what it means to be female. Kastner refuses to shy away from the unfair double standards that women are faced with. This is a killer role for a young actress. I was gripped from beginning to end. Would love to see this produced. A fantastic challenge for lighting and sound designers.

    A fascinating modern evaluation of one of Shakespeare's most famous tragic heroines. Kastner uses the character of Ophelia to say some thought-provoking things about what it means to be female. Kastner refuses to shy away from the unfair double standards that women are faced with. This is a killer role for a young actress. I was gripped from beginning to end. Would love to see this produced. A fantastic challenge for lighting and sound designers.

    ”