Adoption of Grief by Jessie Salsbury

**To perform or request please press Inquire About Rights** Desiree Nichols, a college student, seeks answers from a stranger after her sister unexpectedly dies. Cherise Nichols, the decedent, has left notes indicating that her nieces are to be adopted into a white family with her nephew who was secretly given up for adoption years before. Two families struggle with interracial (black/white) adoption,...
**To perform or request please press Inquire About Rights** Desiree Nichols, a college student, seeks answers from a stranger after her sister unexpectedly dies. Cherise Nichols, the decedent, has left notes indicating that her nieces are to be adopted into a white family with her nephew who was secretly given up for adoption years before. Two families struggle with interracial (black/white) adoption, insensitivity of white women, and how legal systems favor nuclear, white families over other family groups. This play doesn't indicate right or wrong, but percolates bits and pieces of true stories of adoption into a fictional dramatic framework.
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Adoption of Grief

Recommended by

  • Mike Rice:
    10 Nov. 2021
    “ With a magnifying glass on the issue of interracial adoption, Jessie Salsbury has given us a drama that raises awareness about the struggles of raising adopted children of color and the human cost of family secrets. To her credit, Jessie does not take sides. She presents a story with real sympathetic characters and a gripping conflict. The accolades she received for this play were well-deserved. ”
  • Everett Robert:
    4 Oct. 2018
    “ This was not an easy play for me to read. I was adopted, and am from a "trans-racial" family (a family that is made up of people from different races) and living in Kansas, this hit close to home. And it would be unfair for me to look at my family's experiences and compare to the story told here. But I will say that I think this is an IMPORTANT play that examines issues through a lens that isn't always considered. Salsbury has written a hyper realistic play that addresses a myriad of issues. Highly recommended. ”
  • Rachel Bykowski:
    20 Feb. 2018
    “ A play that honestly begins to discuss the social, racial, and economical questions that come with adoption. These are not easy questions, nor are the answers. But in this play, while the arguments are heated and tensions rise, the children are not forgotten. ”
View all 6 recommendations

Character Information

Cast of Characters
Amanda Lipsig: Caucasian/White woman
in her late 30s/ early 40s.

Desiree Nichols: African-American/Black
woman in her early 20s.

Ronald Lipsig: Caucasian/White male
in his late 30s/early 40s.

Ward Anderson: Caucasian/White man
in his 60s/70s.

Chad Lipsig: Mixed race African -
American/Black Caucasian/White teen boy

Cherise Nichols*: African-American/Black
Woman in her late 30s/early 40s
*On Stage, non speaking role

  • Ward Anderson
    50-70,
    White
    , Array
    Can be flipped to female if you need another female character for a school production. Please ask permission.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Ronald Lipsig
    30-40,
    White
    ,
    Cisgender Male
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Desiree Nichols
    20s,
    Black
    ,
    Cisgender Female, Cis Female or Gender Queer or Trans
    Is referred to as being an aunt in the script.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Cherise Nichols
    30-40,
    Black
    ,
    Cisgender Female
    This is a non speaking role but is present on stage throughout play
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Chad Lipsig
    15-25,
    Caucasian/African American
    ,
    trans or cis male or gender queer
    Age can be adjusted to fit actor age. Race is more important than age. Should read as being no older than 22 ideally. Must read as mixed race (African American / Caucasian)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Child, Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any actor of color
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Amanda Lipsig
    30-40,
    White
    ,
    Cisgender Female
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Potluck Productions - Monthly readings (first 10 minutes)
    ,
    2017

Production History

  • Community Theater
    ,
    Olathe Civic Theatre Association
    ,
    2018

Awards

Semi-Finalist
,
Category: Full Length (over 40 pages)
,
Bechdel Test Festival
,
2019
Winner
,
New Works Playwright Competition
,
Olathe Civic Theatre Association
,
2018