God's Necklace by Morgan Kinnally

FULL-LENGTH
Two Nuer women flee the 2013-2018 civil war in South Sudan only to face a new journey of resettlement in California. They struggle with culture shock but also how to present their traditional Nuer woman marriage to their American volunteer, Roberta - a chainsaw-wielding arborist who also dabbles in taxidermy. Also at play are two river spirits who make moving on with the living a struggle for...
FULL-LENGTH
Two Nuer women flee the 2013-2018 civil war in South Sudan only to face a new journey of resettlement in California. They struggle with culture shock but also how to present their traditional Nuer woman marriage to their American volunteer, Roberta - a chainsaw-wielding arborist who also dabbles in taxidermy. Also at play are two river spirits who make moving on with the living a struggle for the Nuer women when the ghosts of the past remain.
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God's Necklace

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear:
    28 Aug. 2020
    “ A moving and fascinating play that shows the difficulty in adapting when everything is overwhelming and new as everything is in turmoil. While nothing is certain, the beauty of humanity and hope shines. Well done! ”
  • Raegan Payne:
    14 May. 2019
    “ This is a stunning female led play. Funny and moving, it addresses the too often overlooked plight of refugees in America. Highly recommend. ”
  • Unicorn Theatre:
    28 Mar. 2019
    “ This play was a FINALIST for the 2019-2020 In-Progress New Play Reading Series at Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. It is our pleasure to support GOD'S NECKLACE. ”

Character Information

CHARACTERS (5 Women)

  • NYAPUOT
    30s,
    South Sudanese/Nuer
    ,
    Female
    married to Nyadomaac, strong beliefs in Nuer traditions, a storyteller, hardened by war, abounding with love but with no one to surrender it.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • NYADOMAAC
    20s - 30s,
    South Sudanese/ Nuer
    ,
    Female
    Nuer, South Sudanese, married to Nyapuot, impulsive, free-spirited, craves education and opportunities denied to her in the refugee camp, loves bubble gum.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • ROBERTA
    60s,
    White
    ,
    Female
    American, big, loud, an arborist and taxidermist, former head of the Alpine Women’s Alliance, volunteer for refugee resettlement organizations, strong hatred for the Humane Society.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • CANDIT
    20s - 50s,
    South Sudanese
    ,
    Female
    plays Candit (daughter of fireflies, a content river spirit)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • NYALIEP/ HYENA SPOTTY
    20s - 50s,
    South Sudanese
    ,
    Female
    plays Nyaliep (daughter of fireflies, an exuberant river spirit)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Moxie Arts
    ,
    2018
  • Reading
    ,
    New Works Studio with Scripps Ranch Theatre
    ,
    2017

Production History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Moxie Arts NYC
    ,
    2019

Awards

Finalist
,
Bechdel Test Fest
,
The Bridge Initiative: Women in Theatre
,
2019
Honorable Mention
,
New Works of Merit
,
New Works of Merit Playwriting Contest
,
2018
Semi-Finalist
,
Eugene O'Neill Playwriting Contest
,
Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
,
2018
Finalist
,
Leah Ryan's Fund for Emerging Women Writers
,
Leah Ryan's FEWW
,
2018
Finalist
,
LezPlay Contest
,
Pride Films and Plays
,
2018