SAFE

by Donna Hoke

In 1986, Nancy is a sheltered high school girl who lives under the thumb of an overprotective and domineering father, a widower paralyzed by grief. On the first day at her new school, Nancy is befriended by Brett, who, despite being friendly, funny, and charming doesn't seem to have many friends himself. If Nancy suspects the reason, well, she doesn't acknowledge it, at least not until the school bullies make it...

In 1986, Nancy is a sheltered high school girl who lives under the thumb of an overprotective and domineering father, a widower paralyzed by grief. On the first day at her new school, Nancy is befriended by Brett, who, despite being friendly, funny, and charming doesn't seem to have many friends himself. If Nancy suspects the reason, well, she doesn't acknowledge it, at least not until the school bullies make it clear that if she thinks Brett's a romantic prospect, she's got another thing coming. Terrified, Nancy runs home, leaving Brett to fend for himself to harmful result.

Fast forward 25 years when Nancy, married to the controlling Kirk, is confronted by another bully--her son, Rex. When Rex's gay schoolmate hangs himself after being bullied, Nancy is finally forced to examine the fear that has held her hostage or risk repeating history with her infant son

This play is the winner of the 2014 Todd McNerney National Playwriting Contest, the Naatak National Playwriting Contest, and the 2015 Great Gay Play and Musical Contest. It was also a finalist in T. Schreiber New Works, and a semi-finalist in the 37th Bay Area Playwrights Festival and nuVoices at Actors Theatre of Charlotte.

See photos, trailer, and mini-doc here: http://www.donnahoke.com/plays/Safe.html

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SAFE

Recommended by

  • Nick Malakhow: SAFE by Donna Hoke
    “

    What a beautifully-constructed play that makes such excellent and poignant use of double-casting. I loved how repeated gestures/tics were employed across generations. Donna Hoke explores homophobia and other kinds of prejudice, societal structures that keep us in cycles of oppression, and redemption in a briskly-moving 90-or-so minutes! I appreciated the way the play wound back and forth through time, yet always felt as if it was structurally moving forward at a steady clip. Hoke has rendered some very three-dimensional and vividly-realized characters here. The final stage image is gorgeous...

    What a beautifully-constructed play that makes such excellent and poignant use of double-casting. I loved how repeated gestures/tics were employed across generations. Donna Hoke explores homophobia and other kinds of prejudice, societal structures that keep us in cycles of oppression, and redemption in a briskly-moving 90-or-so minutes! I appreciated the way the play wound back and forth through time, yet always felt as if it was structurally moving forward at a steady clip. Hoke has rendered some very three-dimensional and vividly-realized characters here. The final stage image is gorgeous and well-earned. I'd love to see a production!

    read more
    ”
  • Doug DeVita: SAFE by Donna Hoke
    “

    Powerful, gut-wrenching look at homophobia and bullying, and what has, and more importantly, has not changed in 30 years. What makes it even more touching is how it’s told through the memories of one person, and how she reacts to what she did, and didn’t, do at two key stages in her life. Compelling dialogue, seamless time shifts, and recognizably human characters make “Safe” a worthy addition to the LGBTQ canon.

    Powerful, gut-wrenching look at homophobia and bullying, and what has, and more importantly, has not changed in 30 years. What makes it even more touching is how it’s told through the memories of one person, and how she reacts to what she did, and didn’t, do at two key stages in her life. Compelling dialogue, seamless time shifts, and recognizably human characters make “Safe” a worthy addition to the LGBTQ canon.

    ”
  • Siegmund Fuchs: SAFE by Donna Hoke
    “

    SAFE is a great piece about homophobia and bullying, leading up to a wonderful and haunting climax that is both theatrical and dialogue-driven. SAFE would be a great pick for a queer festival or for Pride Month.

    SAFE is a great piece about homophobia and bullying, leading up to a wonderful and haunting climax that is both theatrical and dialogue-driven. SAFE would be a great pick for a queer festival or for Pride Month.

    ”
View all 7 recommendations

Character Information

CASTING: Homophobia and prejudice exist across cultures and races. As such, I encourage diversity in casting with one condition: ALL roles must be cast within the same race so as not to provoke questions of prejudice that are not within the purview of this play. I am happy to work with directors to make cultural changes that will help this play better resonate with these casting choices.
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The roles of OFFICER VIVEK/KATHY, KIRK/TOM/JIMMY/RICH, BRETT/TODD, REX/ACE, and YOUNGER NANCY/OLDER NANCY are double cast.

  • Younger Nancy/Older Nancy
    1986, high school junior/2011, Rex’s mother
    17-42
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Brett/Todd
    BRETT: 1986. High school junior
    TODD: 2011. High school sophomore
    16-17
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Kirk/Tom
    1986: TOM: Nancy's father
    2011. KIRK: Nancy’s husband, Rex’s father
    This actor also plays Jimmy/Rich:
    JIMMY: 1986. High school boy
    RICH: 2011. High school boy
    40s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Officer Vivek/Kathy
    Officer Vivek in 1986, Kathy in 2011
    40s-50s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Optional sixth actor: Jimmy/Rich
    OPTIONAL SIXTH ACTOR: If you find yourself unable to find an actor capable of Kirk’s quadruple casting, or even if you just wish to add an actor, the roles of Jimmy/Rich may be cast separately.
    teen
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Rex/Ace
    1986: Ace, high school boy
    2011: Rex, high school senior
    18
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Reading, Winner, Great Gay Play and Musical Contest , 2015
  • Workshop, Winner, Naatak Playwriting Contest , 2015
  • Reading, Piccolo Spoleto Festival/Todd McNerney Winner, 2014
  • Reading, Road Less Traveled Productions, 2013

Production History

  • Professional, Queer Theatre Kalamazoo, 2016
  • Professional, Road Less Traveled Productions, 2016
  • University, Saginaw Valley State University, 2015

Awards

  • Gwen Frostic Reading Playwright
    Western Michigan University
    Selection
    2016
  • Great Gay Play and Musical Contest
    Pride Films and Plays
    Winner
    2015
  • Naatak National Playwriting Contest
    Naatak Theatre
    Winner
    2014
  • Todd McNerney National Playwriting Contest
    College of Charleston
    Winner
    2014
  • nuVoices
    Actors Theatre of Charlotte
    Semi-Finalist
    2014
  • T. Schreiber New Works
    T. Schreiber Studio
    Finalist
    2014
  • Bay Area Playwrights Festival
    Playwrights Foundation
    Semi-Finalist
    2014