RAFETUS
Recommended by
- Nina Ki:4 Jan. 2021“ This play hurts, in the best possibly ways - the kind of beautiful work that you think about days, weeks, months afterward. I never thought a play about two Yangtze turtles would make me cry but it really did. I highly recommend this play!!! ”
- Ian W. Hill:2 Apr. 2018“ Lovely and sad work, inventive in structure, language and action, that excellently mixes the worlds of human and turtle at a level both realistic and magical all at once. Deals with moral questions while never being didactic -- everything is integrated into the characters and their actions. Eminently stageable. ”
- Jordan Ramirez Puckett:2 Feb. 2018“ This highly theatrical play tells the story of two Yangtze giant softshell turtles and the team of scientists who are trying desperately to keep this species from extinction. This beautiful and moving play presents morally complicated questions about animal nature and reproductive rights. I was thoroughly engaged with the story and the characters the whole time. I hope to see a production of this play soon. ”
Character Information
- China Girl20-30s to play 80+ years old,,AnyFemaleThe last surviving female Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle (scientific name: Rafetus swinhoei). Small but tough.
- LeoLate 30s-Early 40s to play 100+ years old,,AnyMaleThe last male Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle in China (scientific name: Rafetus swinhoei). Physically larger than China Girl, a “gentle giant.”
- Soft (“Emily Ash”)Mid 20s-Early 30s,,Vietnamese-AmericanFemaleHuman scientist
- Eyes (“William Chen”)Mid 20s-Early 30s,,ChineseMaleHuman scientist, wears glasses
- Rough (“Bryan Powell”)30s,,WhiteMaleHuman scientist
- Dr. Long (“Dr. Josef Koehler”)50+,,White, EuropeanMaleHead human scientist, European (Austrian, German, Hungarian, or Swiss), tall.
- Prime Minister, Zoo Patrons, Press, OthersVarious,,AsianFemalePlays various ages and multiple Asian nationalities, including Vietnamese and Chinese.
- Dong Mo, Zoo Patrons, Press, OthersVarious,,BIPOCMalePlays various ages and multiple ethnicities (except white), including - briefly - a Yangtze giant softshell turtle.
- Zoo Patrons, Press, OthersVarious,,AnyAnyPlays various characters of non-specific genders, ages, and races/ethnicities
Development History
- ,Residency,National Winter Playwrights Retreat (HBMG Foundation)2018
Production History
- ,Workshop,29-Hour Workshop with Two Invited Presentations2018
- ,Workshop,Closed 10-hour workshop, independently produced2017
Awards
Finalist
2019-2020 New Light New Voices Award
New Light Theater Project
2019
Selection
National Winter Playwrights Retreat
HBMG Foundation
2018
Finalist
2018 Spring Submissions
The Dare Tactic
2018