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...
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:
    3 Jan. 2021
    “ 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:
    26 Jan. 2020
    “ 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:
    23 Dec. 2019
    “ 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. ”
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Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Alice's Fourth Floor
    ,
    1994

Production History

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