Borderline

by Andrew Siañez-De La O

FULL LENGTH: We are all told ghost stories as kids, but for children of the border, those stories are about more than just what goes bump in the night. They are very real warnings about the world outside their home. In the old cotton fields of Socorro, Texas, Enzo and Rosita have snuck away to write ghost stories, while Tony and Veronica are both building up the courage to tell the other a secret. Threatened by...

FULL LENGTH: We are all told ghost stories as kids, but for children of the border, those stories are about more than just what goes bump in the night. They are very real warnings about the world outside their home. In the old cotton fields of Socorro, Texas, Enzo and Rosita have snuck away to write ghost stories, while Tony and Veronica are both building up the courage to tell the other a secret. Threatened by a creature in the darkness, these two generations will have to rely on each other and the voice of the repentant Tío Ofelio to escape the desert alive. It’ll take made-up-myths, stories of the past, and a rendition of La Llorona to defeat the very real monster stalking children in the borderlands.

Borderline was developed as part of Echo Theater Company's National Young Playwrights in Residence Program (NYPR).

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Borderline

Recommended by

  • Lainie Vansant: Borderline by Andrew Siañez-De La O
    “

    Siañez-De La O is a talented storyteller, and this play is no exception. The myths and tales interwoven into this piece give it a sense of magic and wonder which contrasts with the dismal reality of life on the border. This is really lovely work that should be produced!

    Siañez-De La O is a talented storyteller, and this play is no exception. The myths and tales interwoven into this piece give it a sense of magic and wonder which contrasts with the dismal reality of life on the border. This is really lovely work that should be produced!

    ”
  • Nick Malakhow: Borderline by Andrew Siañez-De La O
    “

    A beautiful, haunting, gorgeous play! The central four young people in this play are so deftly rendered. It's so rare to have such complex roles for young people in a vividly-realized theatrical world that would great theater for audiences of all ages and types. The specificity of the relationships and the amazing stage pictures and fantastical elements give this both an epic/mythic feel with an intimate focus. I'd love to see this world realized onstage. It's a director, designer, and actor's dream. I look forward to following its trajectory.

    A beautiful, haunting, gorgeous play! The central four young people in this play are so deftly rendered. It's so rare to have such complex roles for young people in a vividly-realized theatrical world that would great theater for audiences of all ages and types. The specificity of the relationships and the amazing stage pictures and fantastical elements give this both an epic/mythic feel with an intimate focus. I'd love to see this world realized onstage. It's a director, designer, and actor's dream. I look forward to following its trajectory.

    ”
  • Elizabeth A. M. Keel: Borderline by Andrew Siañez-De La O
    “

    Borderline is potent stuff. The blending of monsters and myths with the very real and traumatic mess at the border is an incredible way of dealing with such a complex issue. I love that the heroes are children, standing up to dragons even when the desert feels so endless all around them. Please stage this play. You will feel its beating heart, even just by reading.

    Borderline is potent stuff. The blending of monsters and myths with the very real and traumatic mess at the border is an incredible way of dealing with such a complex issue. I love that the heroes are children, standing up to dragons even when the desert feels so endless all around them. Please stage this play. You will feel its beating heart, even just by reading.

    ”
View all 11 recommendations

Character Information

Tío Ofelio and The Monster should be played by the same actor.
  • Tony
    18
    Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Veronica
    18
    Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Tío Ofelio/Man
    30s-40s
    Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Enzo
    12
    Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Rosita
    14
    Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Workshop, Milagro, 2019
  • Residency, Echo Theater Company, 2018
  • Reading, Echo Theater Company, 2018

Awards

  • New American Voices Playwriting Festival
    The Landing Theatre Company
    Semi-Finalist
    2020
  • Seven Devils Playwrights Conference
    iD Theatre
    Semi-Finalist
    2019