Rules of a Closed Door

Eddie is forced to confront his dark desires when his estranged cousin Hector returns 13 years after moving away, to reignite their incestuous affair. "Rules of a Closed Door" examines the poisons of love, sex, familia, community, and the lengths parents will go, to keep their children safe.

Eddie is forced to confront his dark desires when his estranged cousin Hector returns 13 years after moving away, to reignite their incestuous affair. "Rules of a Closed Door" examines the poisons of love, sex, familia, community, and the lengths parents will go, to keep their children safe.

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Rules of a Closed Door

Recommended by

  • Nick Malakhow: Rules of a Closed Door

    A wrenching and beautifully rendered piece. Each character is drawn with a deft hand and has been constructed with a great deal of empathy. A very complex examination of trauma and abuse that gives nuanced insight into the abuser without excusing their actions, as well as gives voice to the abused without making them merely a victim. The contextual narrative about local politics and activism helps situate the text and give it a genuine sense of place and specificity. Hope to see this developed/produced some day soon!

    A wrenching and beautifully rendered piece. Each character is drawn with a deft hand and has been constructed with a great deal of empathy. A very complex examination of trauma and abuse that gives nuanced insight into the abuser without excusing their actions, as well as gives voice to the abused without making them merely a victim. The contextual narrative about local politics and activism helps situate the text and give it a genuine sense of place and specificity. Hope to see this developed/produced some day soon!

  • Liam Fitzgerald: Rules of a Closed Door

    A disturbingly intimate look at how trauma shapes our lives, to the point that we aren't even sure where the trauma ends and we begin.

    A disturbingly intimate look at how trauma shapes our lives, to the point that we aren't even sure where the trauma ends and we begin.

EDUARDO: 42, Latinx. Confident and Charismatic. Hector's cousin.
HECTOR: 33, Latinx. There's a darkness about him, but can be hidden by a smile.
MÁRIZ: 33, Latinx. A social justice warrior. Hector's high school best-friend.
TIA ELENA: 68, Latinx. Broken over the many years, clinging to what she has left.
YOUNG BOY: Latinx. A shadow figure.
WOMAN: (40s) White. A neighborhood gentrifier.

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization Fornés Playwriting Workshop, Year 2018

Awards

  • Activate: Midwest New Play Festival
    Semi-Finalist
    2019