FUKT by Emma Goldman-Sherman

FULL-LENGTH, BAPF Finalist, Unicorn Finalist, FUKT is an oddly uplifting personal tale of traumatic memory, murder & private parts! With zombies, a striptease and song, this immersive, fearless journey to bare all is a healing balm for anyone with a secret.

Emma (played by an actor) tries to perform a one-woman show, only Barbara and Bobbie interrupt and demand to be included. Bobbie carries...
FULL-LENGTH, BAPF Finalist, Unicorn Finalist, FUKT is an oddly uplifting personal tale of traumatic memory, murder & private parts! With zombies, a striptease and song, this immersive, fearless journey to bare all is a healing balm for anyone with a secret.

Emma (played by an actor) tries to perform a one-woman show, only Barbara and Bobbie interrupt and demand to be included. Bobbie carries the memories of the traumas Emma survived. Barbara forgot and doesn't want to remember. FUKT is about how three fragmented aspects of a traumatized person come together to heal.


Content Warning: this play deals with traumatic memory about childhood incest and sexual abuse. The play could trigger anyone who is already dealing with (or ignoring) these issues.
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FUKT

Recommended by

  • sheila duane:
    9 Feb. 2024
    “ So compelling and still so frightening to read. It’s urgent, gripping, and dangerous.
    FUKT explores the complexity of love that threatens, bullies, and diminishes but fills an unconscious requirement. It explores a child’s unconditional love for a parent, even when that parent is a predator or an enabler, and the complicated nature of guilt and complicity buried in victimhood.
    How can a human being dismiss another’s humanity? Deprive, to cheat a child out of what is sacred in childhood? of a voice? Of personhood? The three selves in this play are authentic and open a spiritual door. ”
  • Christopher Plumridge:
    20 May. 2023
    “ FUKT is an incredible piece of performance theatre, worthy of its success so far, and surely more to follow.
    Emma presents three versions of her protagonist, along with cameos from more, in a compelling, funny, emotional play with a desperately sad story at its heart. Audiences will be engrossed as I was reading this play, for the pace is quick and slick.
    I really do hope I can be lucky enough to see this staged.
    SUPERB! ”
  • Morey Norkin:
    29 Jan. 2023
    “ Extremely personal, tragic, comedic, theatrical, and deserving of the recognition it has received! Emma Goldman-Sherman holds nothing back as she uses three versions of herself to tell her harrowing story of sexual abuse. No doubt this would be a challenge for many to read or see, but truths like this must be shared so others can find their own path to survival. Outstanding, honest, moving work! ”
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Character Information

3 Jewish women, 20s (sings and plays guitar or ukelele), 30s (sexy, performs a striptease), 40s or 50s
They are all the same woman

  • Emma
    40s,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Barbara
    30s,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Sexy, performs a striptease
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Bobbie
    20s and younger - should be played by an adult,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    sings and plays guitar or ukelele
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female

Development History

  • Residency
    ,
    The Tank NYC
    ,
    2022
  • Workshop
    ,
    COVID POSTPONED New Circle Theatre Company, NYC
    ,
    2020
  • Reading
    ,
    New Circle Theatre Co.
    ,
    2019
  • Reading
    ,
    New Circle Theatre Company for International Women's Voices Day
    ,
    2018
  • Reading
    ,
    W.H.A.M. at Goddard Riverside for Women's History Month
    ,
    2018
  • Workshop
    ,
    Dixon Place
    ,
    2018

Awards

Semi-Finalist
,
Ashland New Play Festival
,
2022
Finalist
,
The In-Progress New Play Reading Series
,
Unicorn Theatre
,
2020
Finalist
,
Bay Area Playwrights Festival New Play Award
,
Playwrights Foundation
,
2020