The Deliverance

by Daysha Veronica

A family in a shrinking black farming community in Texas have a deep spiritual and historical connection with the land that is being disrupted by climate change. So, when a land investor takes interest in buying their land, they must weigh which option is best for their future and their freedom.

A family in a shrinking black farming community in Texas have a deep spiritual and historical connection with the land that is being disrupted by climate change. So, when a land investor takes interest in buying their land, they must weigh which option is best for their future and their freedom.

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The Deliverance

Recommended by

  • Playwrights Foundation: The Deliverance by Daysha Veronica
    “

    The community of national & local readers for the 45th Bay Area Playwrights Festival in 2022 enthusiastically recommends THE DELIVERANCE as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation. We were deeply moved by this play's investigation of freedom and healing generationally. The play asks: How can we hold onto land if we do not ask what it means to hold onto ourselves? We were compelled by this play's promise in its familial takeaway and fantastical elements. We hope this play is widely read, finds dedicated collaborators, and moves swiftly towards production. #BAPF2022

    The community of national & local readers for the 45th Bay Area Playwrights Festival in 2022 enthusiastically recommends THE DELIVERANCE as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation. We were deeply moved by this play's investigation of freedom and healing generationally. The play asks: How can we hold onto land if we do not ask what it means to hold onto ourselves? We were compelled by this play's promise in its familial takeaway and fantastical elements. We hope this play is widely read, finds dedicated collaborators, and moves swiftly towards production. #BAPF2022

    ”
  • Rachel Bublitz: The Deliverance by Daysha Veronica
    “

    THE DELIVERANCE weaves family, history, curses, and farming together to create a theatrically stunning evening of theater. It jumps off the page, I would love to see it fully realized on stage. As epic as "The Grapes of Wrath," but adds in the intersectionality of race with poverty for an even harder punch of truth.

    THE DELIVERANCE weaves family, history, curses, and farming together to create a theatrically stunning evening of theater. It jumps off the page, I would love to see it fully realized on stage. As epic as "The Grapes of Wrath," but adds in the intersectionality of race with poverty for an even harder punch of truth.

    ”

Character Information

- The following characters MUST be doubled in this order:

Lorraine/Mama Ola,

Donna/Asase Yaa,

Harvest Dancers/The Fields.

  • JOHN CRAWFORD
    Neighboring farmer.
    62
    Black,
    African American
    Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • DON RICHARDS
    Investor.
    50s-60s
    White
    Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • ASASE YAA
    Mother Earth; bearer of life.
    N/A
    Black,
    African American
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • MAMA OLA
    griot, storyteller; holder of history.
    N/A
    Black,
    African American
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • HARVEST DANCERS
    N/A
    Black,
    African American
    Any gender
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
  • FIELDS
    N/A
    N/A
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
  • CURTIS HOWARD
    Howard family patriarch. 4th generation farmer. Owner of the Howard family farm.
    66
    Black,
    African American
    Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • LORRAINE HOWARD
    Wife of Curtis.
    60
    Black,
    African American
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • LENNY HOWARD
    Eldest son of Curtis. 5th generation farmer. Next in line to inherit the farm.
    40
    Black,
    African American
    Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • GREG HOWARD
    Youngest son of Curtis. Has recently finished business school.
    35
    Black,
    African American
    Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • DONNA HOWARD
    Wife of Lenny. 7 Months pregnant with their first child.
    35
    Black,
    African American
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History