TAMAR, The Two-Gated City

FULL LENGTH Young Tamar is about to be married, but first she needs to know what happened to her aunt. With a ghost seeking a witness, and a witness committed to silence, only Young Tamar can question how we can find agency and new ways of knowing in an unjust world.

2 rapist culture stories from the Bible, adapted for 3 women. With 3 simple a capella songs, this highly theatrical (easily...
FULL LENGTH Young Tamar is about to be married, but first she needs to know what happened to her aunt. With a ghost seeking a witness, and a witness committed to silence, only Young Tamar can question how we can find agency and new ways of knowing in an unjust world.

2 rapist culture stories from the Bible, adapted for 3 women. With 3 simple a capella songs, this highly theatrical (easily producible) drama inspires us to see ourselves in a new light.
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TAMAR, The Two-Gated City

Recommended by

  • Heather Helinsky:
    22 Mar. 2024
    This is a theatrical investigation of the story of rape culture written into the foundation of two religions, and yet rarely called into question. Emma breathes three-dimensional life into characters in search of justice: the young questioner, the ghost, and the one who remained silent. This play uses heightened language, musicality, Socratic dialogue, and a gripping ghost story to drive a clear, concise point home: society will always be haunted by patriarchal control over women's bodies and this well-woven braid of a play provides an opportunity for audiences to find contemporary parallels within the ancient narrative.
  • Chelsea Frandsen:
    1 Mar. 2022
    A conversation about the Bible has the potential to be difficult. A conversation about rape has equal potential to be difficult. However, Goldman-Sherman tackles these difficult but very relevant subjects in this eye-opening story with poetry and power told through the voices of women that actresses would love to sink their teeth into. Also, it's in verse!
  • Jewish Plays Project:
    14 Feb. 2022
    The Jewish Plays Project recommends TAMAR, The Two-Gated City as a Semi-Finalist for the 11th annual Jewish Playwriting Contest. Our community of readers found this play highly compelling as it critiques a history that has marginalized and brutalized women, and examines the impact of not speaking out, in a manner that feels new and relevant. We enjoyed the poetic vision, the tension between perspectives, and the deep questioning of stories that we take at face value. TAMAR rose to the top 20 out of 250 plays and we hope this play swiftly finds opportunities to reach new audiences.

Character Information

  • YOUNG TAMAR
    Teens,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    YOUNG TAMAR is a girl, late teens, plays slightly younger than AUNT TAMAR. Any race/ethnicity, probably but not necessarily the same as AUNT TAMAR. Clean, well-dressed, innocent version of her aunt. Probably this role should be cast with an adult playing a younger person.
  • AUNT TAMAR
    Teens,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    AUNT TAMAR is a woman, late teens, plays slightly older than YOUNG TAMAR. Any race/ethnicity, probably but not nessarily the same as YOUNG TAMAR. Bruised and dusty - she has been covering herself with the sandy earth to indicate her desperate state. Her garments which were fine are torn to rags.
  • ABIDA
    40s, 50s, 60s, 70s,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Abida is mid-forties or older. SHE lives and works as a servant in the House of Amnon (even though Amnon has been dead now about ten years). A different ethnicity or look from the two TAMARs, but it’s not about that as much as it’s about women, period.

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Empty Room Radio, podcast
    ,
    2024
  • Reading
    ,
    Marble Collegiate Church
    ,
    2018
  • Reading
    ,
    Folksbien Theatre at The Museum of Jewish Heritage
    ,
    2018
  • Reading
    ,
    Renegade Festival, MI
    ,
    2018
  • Reading
    ,
    Connect, Astoria First Presbyterian Church, NYC
    ,
    2017
  • Reading
    ,
    Connect, Union Theological Seminary
    ,
    2016

Awards

Winner
,
Full Length Play
,
Renegade N.O.W. Festival
,
2018