Where Storms Are Born by Harrison David Rivers

Mourning the loss of her elder son Myles, Bethea tries to help her younger son Gideon through his grief. But as revelations surrounding Myles’ incarceration and death emerge, both mother and son must decide whether to fight or let go. With wit and empathy, this play reminds us of the courage and resilience it takes to chart a better way forward for the ones we love.
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Where Storms Are Born

Recommended by

  • Shaun Leisher:
    21 Feb. 2022
    “ A really great memory play. Love how complex Gideon and Bethea's individual connections are with Myles and how they choose to remember him. Love how queerness is never questioned or a main point of contention in this play. ”
  • Nick Malakhow:
    12 May. 2020
    “ An exquisite and beautiful play that explores grief in a nuanced and uniquely theatrical way. Every character rings with truth and humanity. Bethea's extremely complex relationships with Gideon and Myles (and her grief) in the aftermath of Myles' death feel so multi-dimensional and beautifully realized. I love how Rivers tells this story in nuanced scenes that avoid melodramatics. The culminating explosive moments feel earned and well worth waiting for. The spectre of Myles haunts the Solomon family but not in a gimmicky or overwrought way. The ending stage picture--as well as many before it--is sublime! ”
  • Eugene O'Neill Theater Center:
    12 May. 2017
    “ It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Harrison David Rivers and their play WHERE STORMS ARE BORN as a finalist for our 2015 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one finalist out of hundreds of submissions, the strength of this play’s writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process. ”

Character Information

  • Bethea Solomon
    50s,
    Black
    ,
    Female
    Engaged and protective.
    You’d be a fool to cross her.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Gideon Solomon
    20s,
    Black
    ,
    Male
    A sensitive, dutiful son.
    He has a beautiful smile—he should smile more.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Myles Solomon
    30s,
    Black
    ,
    Male
    Charming and charismatic.
    Could have been anything.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Worthy Bell
    20s,
    Black
    ,
    Female
    Calls it like she sees it.
    Ride or die.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Benton Massey
    20-30s,
    Black
    ,
    Male
    Knows how to use what he has to get what he wants.
    Sexy as fuck.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Luke Jacobs
    20-30s,
    Any (but probably white)
    ,
    Male
    A corrections officer.
    A Boy Scout with an edge.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any actor of color
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Williamstown Theatre Festival
    ,
    2016
  • Workshop
    ,
    Labyrinth Theatre Company
    ,
    2015

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    WIlliamstown Theatre Festival
    ,
    2017

Awards

Edgerton Foundation New Play Award
,
2017
Finalist
,
O’Neill National Playwrights Conference
,
2015