The Colony by Gina Stevensen

In 1924 Virginia, a dirt-poor young woman named Carrie Buck is brought to a mysterious medical facility. No one will tell her why she’s here, or where her two-month-old daughter is. The Doctor in charge is a charming progressive, a student of the new science of heredity and genes. In Carrie, he finds the missing link his entire movement has been searching for, placing her at the center of a chain of events that...
In 1924 Virginia, a dirt-poor young woman named Carrie Buck is brought to a mysterious medical facility. No one will tell her why she’s here, or where her two-month-old daughter is. The Doctor in charge is a charming progressive, a student of the new science of heredity and genes. In Carrie, he finds the missing link his entire movement has been searching for, placing her at the center of a chain of events that will lead all the way to the Supreme Court. Based on a true story, THE COLONY asks: how does our society, past and present, regulate the bodies of women deemed "undesirable"?
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The Colony

Recommended by

  • Greg Burdick:
    27 Nov. 2021
    “ Stevensen’s gripping historical dramatization is nothing short of a fierce rallying cry. Bookended by generational victims of eugenics, “The Colony” gut-punches audiences throughout with harsh realities - illuminating the need for urgent discussions (and actions!) regarding reproductive freedom. Briskly paced and smartly written with three meaty roles for female performers, this play deserves your attention. ”
  • Matt Minnicino:
    24 Nov. 2021
    “ The thing about "historical drama" is it has a tendency to buckle under the weight of its own details, seldom sure whether it has anything to say or if it's just a preservation of interesting past events. Gina's play never has that problem, thrumming with prescience, care, and far-reaching relevance while also reevaluating and destabilizing our sense of history as it intersects with medical science, family, race, psychology, and legacy. After reading this piece years ago, its stirring heart and poignant drama keeps coming back to me. ”
  • Jeffrey James Keyes:
    3 Nov. 2021
    “ This is an outstanding play, I had the pleasure of hearing this out loud and was hanging on every word. Stevensen has crafted a really unsettling and timely drama that is dynamic and extremely evocative. I cannot wait to see this on stage one day, hopefully before it's too late. Well done. ”
View all 6 recommendations

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Urban Stages (off-Broadway)
    ,
    2018

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Good Luck Macbeth Theatre Company
    ,
    2021
  • Workshop
    ,
    The Joust Theatre Company
    ,
    2018
  • University
    ,
    Columbia University MFA Playwriting Program @ The Signature Theater
    ,
    2018

Awards

Selection
,
21st Century Voices New Play Festival
,
American Stage
,
2019
Semi-Finalist
,
Bay Area Playwrights Festival
,
2019
Winner
,
Columbia@Roundabout New Play Reading Series
,
Roundabout Theatre Company
,
2019
Finalist
,
MFA Playwrights Workshop
,
The Kennedy Center
,
2018
Semi-Finalist
,
Creative Residency
,
SPACE on Ryder Farm
,
2018
Semi-Finalist
,
Austin Film Festival Playwriting Competition
,
2018