THE MADRES by Stephanie Alison Walker

Received a NNPN Rolling World Premiere

It's 1978 in Buenos Aires, Argentina where people are disappearing right off the street but no one is talking about it. Carolina and her mother Josefina are searching for their pregnant daughter/granddaughter, Belén, who has been missing for twelve weeks. When they receive a surprise visit first from a former neighborhood priest who is now stationed at...
Received a NNPN Rolling World Premiere

It's 1978 in Buenos Aires, Argentina where people are disappearing right off the street but no one is talking about it. Carolina and her mother Josefina are searching for their pregnant daughter/granddaughter, Belén, who has been missing for twelve weeks. When they receive a surprise visit first from a former neighborhood priest who is now stationed at the ESMA (the Navy Mechanics school turned clandestine prison in the middle of the city,) they come up with a plan to try to see Belén one last time. Will it work? Will they be able to save her baby? Will they be able to save themselves?

*Finalist for the 2016 Saroyan/Paul Playwriting Prize for Human Rights
*Winner 2016 Ashland New Plays Festival
*Runner-Up Jane Chambers Playwriting Award
*Finalist for Kitchen Dog Theater's 2016 New Works Festival
*Finalist for the 2016 O'Neill Playwrights Conference
*Winner of Boulder Ensemble Theater Company's Generations Contest
*Finalist for the CTG/Humanitas Playwriting Prize
*Finalist for the 2016 Source Festival

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THE MADRES

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear:
    20 Jan. 2021
    “ An incredibly powerful, important piece bringing to light a reality the world is largely unaware of and needs to be. Spectacular. ”
  • Ross Tedford Kendall:
    19 Oct. 2020
    “ This playwright is very brave for tackling a story this powerful. Few may know about the backdrop, but Walker makes you feel that it's not only important, but timeless. The characters are up against impossible odds to secure one more family connection, one last bit of hope. This story has no easy answers, but touches on a piece of humanity that few will match. That is art at the highest level. ”
  • Donna Gordon:
    9 Dec. 2019
    “ This play has it all - great drama, gripping dialogue, beautiful theatricality (the jacarandas and the medialunas especially). Above all, it reveals the tragedy ideals bring to the innocent, ideals that ignore compassion. A message we need to hear over and over, Walker's play shows simple people caught up in complex times. And this message cannot be objective; as it is here, it is a message that must be told with truth and courage. A situation is never too complex to be seen in the light of the basic human right of justice. ”
View all 19 recommendations

Character Information

The characters are all Argentine and should be cast with Latinx actors only. Note: some Spanish is required.

  • JOSEFINA ACOSTA
    67,
    Argentine
    ,
    Female
    A force of nature in a small package. Do not underestimate this woman. She is unafraid and understands how things get done in the world. A strong and patient woman, she always sees the big picture and always has something baking in the oven.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • CAROLINA ACOSTA
    45,
    Argentine
    ,
    Female
    Josefina's daughter. As strong as her mother, she is more action-driven and less willing to wait for the long game. She is outspoken and passionate and willing to take risks in the name of justice.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • BELÉN ACOSTA
    20,
    Argentine
    ,
    Female
    Carolina's only child. She is a film student. She is newly married and eight months pregnant.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • DIEGO THE SOLDIER
    20,
    Argentine
    ,
    Male
    A neighborhood boy who has found purpose in his role as a foot soldier in the military dictatorship of Argentina. He is stationed at the Navy Mechanics School known as the ESMA.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • PADRE JUAN
    60s,
    Argentine
    ,
    Male
    A Catholic parish priest from the neighborhood who is now a priest at the ESMA.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Ashland New Play Festival
    ,
    2016
  • Reading
    ,
    National New Play Network - Annual New Play Showcase
    ,
    2016
  • Reading
    ,
    The Road Theatre - Summer Playwrights Festival 7 - Los Angeles
    ,
    2016
  • Reading
    ,
    San Diego Rep - Amigos del Rep
    ,
    2016
  • Workshop
    ,
    Boulder Ensemble Theater Company
    ,
    2016
  • Reading
    ,
    Playwrights Union (Los Angeles, First Peek Festival)
    ,
    2015
  • Reading
    ,
    Chicago Dramatists
    ,
    2015

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    La Troupe - San Miguel de Allende, Mexico (Bilingual production)
    ,
    2018
  • Professional
    ,
    Teatro Vista
    ,
    2018
  • Professional
    ,
    MOXIE Theatre
    ,
    2018
  • Professional
    ,
    Shrewd Productions
    ,
    2018

Awards

Winner
,
Francesca Primus Prize
,
American Theatre Critics Association
,
2019
Finalist
,
O'Neill National Playwrights Conference
,
Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
,
2016
Finalist
,
2016 Saroyan/Paul Playwriting Prize for Human Rights
,
Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance
,
2016
Finalist
,
Humanitas/CTG Playwriting Prize
,
Humanitas and Center Theater Group
,
2015
Winner
,
GENERATIONS Prize
,
Boulder Ensemble Theater
,
2015
Finalist
,
The Source Theater Festival
,
Cultural DC
,
2015