I DREAM BEFORE I TAKE THE STAND

by Arlene Hutton

A defense lawyer cross-examines a woman during her testimony in a sexual assault case -- and in doing so, horribly distorts her perfectly innocent walk in the park. Published by Playscripts.com
"A feminist classic." --The List (Edinburgh)
"...a riveting piece of theatre. The writing is pithy and fierce." --New Jersey Independent
"...David Mamet overtones, but far more sympathy for the female victim enduring a...

A defense lawyer cross-examines a woman during her testimony in a sexual assault case -- and in doing so, horribly distorts her perfectly innocent walk in the park. Published by Playscripts.com
"A feminist classic." --The List (Edinburgh)
"...a riveting piece of theatre. The writing is pithy and fierce." --New Jersey Independent
"...David Mamet overtones, but far more sympathy for the female victim enduring a nightmare quizzing than Mamet ever musters." --New York Newsday
"Provocative…" --Off-Off-Broadway Review

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I DREAM BEFORE I TAKE THE STAND

Recommended by

  • Emma Goldman-Sherman: I DREAM BEFORE I TAKE THE STAND

    What a stunning and necessary play! I love it! It will unfortunately always be completely contemporary and timely and brilliant. It is also something directors will all love to direct. Forever. It is absolutely compelling and intense. It is an instant classic that should be done everywhere all the time. We live in a barbaric world. This is better than Kafka.

    What a stunning and necessary play! I love it! It will unfortunately always be completely contemporary and timely and brilliant. It is also something directors will all love to direct. Forever. It is absolutely compelling and intense. It is an instant classic that should be done everywhere all the time. We live in a barbaric world. This is better than Kafka.

  • Donna Gordon: I DREAM BEFORE I TAKE THE STAND

    I hope the situation for women has become better than this. This is the kind of thinking that makes prostitution a "woman's choice" and "molestation" something that happens in low class homes. It is what it is, the unjust and demeaning method we treat victims of sex crimes.

    I hope the situation for women has become better than this. This is the kind of thinking that makes prostitution a "woman's choice" and "molestation" something that happens in low class homes. It is what it is, the unjust and demeaning method we treat victims of sex crimes.

  • Emily Hageman: I DREAM BEFORE I TAKE THE STAND

    This is a jarring, incredibly powerful play. My jaw is on the floor. What a magnificent piece of art. This cost me something to read and it was ugly, but it was so, so well done. Incredibly timely and powerful, this play is under my skin and I don't think I'll get it out for a very, very long time.

    This is a jarring, incredibly powerful play. My jaw is on the floor. What a magnificent piece of art. This cost me something to read and it was ugly, but it was so, so well done. Incredibly timely and powerful, this play is under my skin and I don't think I'll get it out for a very, very long time.

View all 7 recommendations

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization Alice's Fourth Floor, Year 1994

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond. U.K., directed by Katie Henry, Year 2015
  • Type Professional, Organization Ensemble Studio Theatre (reading), Year 2013
  • Type Professional, Organization Philadelphia Fringe Festival, presented by The Journey Company, Year 1998
  • Type Professional, Organization Piccolo Spoleto Festival, Charleston, SC. Presented by The Journey Company, Year 1998
  • Type Professional, Organization New York International Fringe Festival, Year 1997
  • Type Professional, Organization Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Year 1995