CENSUS by Susan Miller

When Jacob, a newly hired census taker, makes a field visit to the home of Gloria and attempts to get answers to standard government questions, he discovers that the objective facts he's seeking are not always so, as Gloria peels back the layers and confronts him with a different reality. That she is Black and he is white complicates their encounter in unexpected and mysterious ways.
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CENSUS

Recommended by

  • Shaun Leisher:
    10 Aug. 2021
    “ Using the framing device of the 2020 Census, Miller forces us to look at who is counted in this country and how even though we think so much progress has been made we still have a long way to go when it comes to looking back. ”
  • Veronica Tjioe:
    7 Aug. 2021
    “ A lovely exploration of how the records we keep are not nearly enough to contain the fullness of our humanity and a firm call to remember all those whose stories have not been recorded. ”
  • Marj O'Neill-Butler:
    15 Jul. 2021
    “ Census is such a smart play. We think we know where it is going and then it is switched up. I could picture the people Gloria speaks about, because they need to be counted. Need to be known. Beautiful piece. ”
View all 4 recommendations

Black Female - Age 55 to 70
Black Young Male (14 - 16)
White Male - 30's

Development History

Awards

Finalist
,
46th Annual Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival
,
Concord Theatricals
,
2021