Have to Believe We Are Magic by Sara Guerrero

Have to Believe We Are Magic, part biographical, part magic, a love letter to a Pocha-Chicana-Latina, coming- of-age time of roller-skating, life after high school, making big life decisions, family, friendships, love, sex, abortion, marriage, guns -all under the shadow of "The Magic Kingdom," (or “The Tragic Kingdom”) in central Orange County, California in the summer of 1994.
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Have to Believe We Are Magic

Recommended by

  • Gretchen Suarez-Pena:
    7 Jun. 2023
    “ This show is all magic. I had the joy of reading this for 46th BAPF and I'm so glad it was a finalist! It made me think of all the amazing ways we can tell stories on stage. Heartbreaking and real but also incredibly fun. Plus roller skates for the win! ”
  • Quinn Gilchrist:
    1 Jun. 2023
    “ LOVED IT! Fun and heavy read. Busy but balanced. A powerful story about female relationships and how powerful and important those can be. ”
  • Elana Gartner:
    22 Nov. 2021
    “ This play is a painful, truthful and fun examination of complicated family dynamics around secrets. What is it to survive under the challenges that a pregnant young woman faces while simultaneously trying to keep her youth? How can she not end up like her sister? How can she not disappoint her mother? Most of all, how can she not disappoint herself? Guerrero is masterful at creating a fun protagonist who the audience will desperately want to win the day. ”
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CHARACTERS
GLORIA, 19, stuck in line towards adulthood, a beautiful disaster, Chingona, Latina; CARMEN, mature, mid-40’s+, Gloria’s mother, last of the baby boomers, smart, educated, tough, loving, Latina; GABBY, 20 something, Gloria’s older sister, upfront, not precious, smart, loving, loyal, Latina; KIRK, 20 something, Gloria’s "Chicle" boyfriend, Mixed/ Latino/ BIPOC; ESTHER, 20, Gloria's long time bff, smart, loving, Latina /BIPOC/ Non-white role; MIMI, 19ish, semi-nemesis to Gloria, smart, over achiever, Latina/ BIPOC / Non-white role;

Additional minor roles should be DOUBLED.

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Teatro Viva's Austin Latinx New Play Festival
    ,
    2021
  • Workshop
    ,
    Tu y Yo Theatre / California State University, San Marcus Project
    ,
    2021
  • Workshop
    ,
    Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble
    ,
    2020

Awards

Finalist
,
46th annual Bay Area Playwrights Festival.
,
Playwrights Foundation
,
2023
Semi-Finalist
,
Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting Award
,
Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE)
,
2023
Finalist
,
Have To Believe We are Magic
,
OC Centric
,
2022
Selection
,
Have to Believe We are Magic
,
Women's Theater Festival Occupy
,
2022
Selection
,
SWEET SIXTEEN Panndora’s Box New Works Festival
,
Panndora Productions
,
2022
Selection
,
Have to Believe We are Magic
,
Teatro Vivo's Latinx New Plays Festival
,
2021