Quantum by Tara Moses

Ivy Johnson was adopted in the fall of 1998 to a Mexican American mother and an African American father. Although it's obvious that she's of color, she has never known where she comes from or her racial background - that is until she sorts through her mail at Thanksgiving. The following weeks come with major discoveries, but they only leave her with more questions. What makes someone Native? A blood...
Ivy Johnson was adopted in the fall of 1998 to a Mexican American mother and an African American father. Although it's obvious that she's of color, she has never known where she comes from or her racial background - that is until she sorts through her mail at Thanksgiving. The following weeks come with major discoveries, but they only leave her with more questions. What makes someone Native? A blood quantum mandate demanded by the Federal Government? Culture, language, and pride? What does it mean when your identity is stripped away from you? Rediscovering culture, reclaiming Indigenous identity, and learning what it means to be a Native woman in contemporary America is the road Ivy must travel. Inspired by my maternal grandfather's story.
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Quantum

Recommended by

  • Karlee Kulp:
    25 Sep. 2020
    “ This play is a definite recommendation. The use of parallels and transitions to really enhance the experience as a reader was beyond immersing. Quantum is a heart warming play where family and culture are welcomed on one half, and torn apart and destroyed on another half. Ivy discovers herself with the help of Tamara and finds out who she is and where she came from. The self-discovery is inspiring to all who read. ”
  • Nick Malakhow:
    17 Sep. 2020
    “ A detailed, beautifully told, and rich story whose protagonist Ivy goes on a compelling and nuanced journey. The discussion of so many things ranging from adoption; definitions of family; huge questions about race, culture, identity; the identities and lives of Native folks in the US; and the ways the US has systematically betrayed those lives is seamlessly integrated into the story. Ivy's relationship with Tamara is one rarely seen onstage--one that illustrates someone feeling like an outsider to their identity and ways forward from that untethered state--and one that demands visibility. ”
  • Eugene O'Neill Theater Center:
    22 Jun. 2020
    “ It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Tara Moses and their play Quantum as a finalist for our 2020 National Playwrights Conference. This particular work emerged from a highly competitive, anonymous, and multi-tiered selection process to become one of 63 finalists out of more than 1,500 submissions. This enthralling piece galvanized the hearts and theatrical imaginations of our reading teams and is fully championed by our offices. We are honored to put our enthusiastic support behind this writer and their ongoing contributions to the American Theater. ”

Character Information

Each role is explicitly written for the race of the character described.

  • Ivy Johnson
    late teens - twenties,
    native american, Indigenous
    ,
    Female, Female-identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Tamera Little Feather/Ramona Starr
    twenties - thirties ,
    Native, native american, Indigenous
    ,
    Female, Female-identifying, Non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Caleb Johnson
    40s-60s,
    Black, African American
    ,
    Male, Male Identifying, Non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • Martina Johnson
    40s-60s,
    Mexican, Mexican American, Latinx
    ,
    Female, Female-identifying, Female Identifying or Non-Binary, Non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Sarah Donnelly/Pamela Strickland/Teresa Peters
    30s-60s,
    White
    ,
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • James Donnelly/Professor Malone/Jacob Smith
    40s-60s,
    White
    ,
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Michael Donnelly/Howard Wyatt
    20s-30s,
    White
    ,
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Amanda Donnelly/Receptionist
    late teens - twenties,
    White
    ,
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Sound Theatre Company
    ,
    2020
  • Reading
    ,
    Safe Harbors Indigenous Collective
    ,
    2020
  • Reading
    ,
    American Indian Community House
    ,
    2020
  • Reading
    ,
    (Selections presented as part of INDIGENOUS) No Peeking Theatre
    ,
    2020
  • Reading
    ,
    Good Luck Macbeth
    ,
    2019
  • Reading
    ,
    Native Voices at the Autry
    ,
    2019
  • Reading
    ,
    La Jolla Playhouse
    ,
    2019
  • Residency
    ,
    Native Voices at the Autry
    ,
    2019
  • Reading
    ,
    (Selections presented as part of INDIGENOUS) No Peeking Theatre
    ,
    2018

Awards

Selection
,
25th Annual Playwright's Retreat
,
Native Voices at the Autry
,
2019