This Vessel Is A Fragile Thing by Tristan B Willis

Over three nights and three dreams a nonbinary person explores their relationship with their body, their family, and their desire to escape from the internal and external conflicts surrounding them.

The first night they dream of turning into a tornado and destroying their hometown.
The second night they dream of fighting in a war with their grandfather.
The third night they dream...
Over three nights and three dreams a nonbinary person explores their relationship with their body, their family, and their desire to escape from the internal and external conflicts surrounding them.

The first night they dream of turning into a tornado and destroying their hometown.
The second night they dream of fighting in a war with their grandfather.
The third night they dream of a future where they can transition into any form they choose.
As the third dream progresses, it shifts, trying to please and keep them in the dream, away from the real world problems they so desperately want to avoid.
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This Vessel Is A Fragile Thing

Recommended by

  • Nick Malakhow:
    9 Sep. 2021
    “ A gorgeous play that combines lyrical poetry with moments of human naturalism. I also loved the way Willis uses dreams as a structural element. The dreams--both in content and in form--help mirror the Body's external and internal negotiations and conflicts in a potent and direct way. I'll definitely be thinking for a long while about the stage images and creative theatricality of this piece, as well as its human, poignant ending that captures both the melancholy and feelings of liminality the Body is experiencing in the moment while they also look forward as well. ”
  • Reinette LeJeune:
    24 Dec. 2020
    “ As someone who both experiences dysphoria and memories of growing up with tornados, this play was such a magical read for me - I'd love to see it performed. The way in which the internal feelings of self mix with the abstract imagery that Britt Willis creates would truly feel right at home up on a stage. Their creativity is in full view here. ”
  • Sarah Cho:
    1 Sep. 2020
    “ I love plays that challenge the form! There was not a single moment where I wasn’t emotionally invested in Britt's poetry. This was incredibly mesmerizing play to read about our relationship to the body that also felt so deeply truthful and honest. This is an intimate play that is meant to be SEEN. ”
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Character Information

My plays do not live in an unrealistic land of all thin, abled, cis and gender-binary white people. Populate BOTH the stage and production team with people historically excluded from your theatre and/or your region’s theatre at large. I WILL follow up with you about this if you produce my plays.

  • The Body
    Nonbinary, genderqueer
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Non-binary
  • An Ensemble of 5 or more actors who play
    People from The Body’s hometown
    The Body’s partner
    The Body’s sister
    The Body’s grandfather and other soldiers
    Futuristic interviewers, researchers, and research participants
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Inkubator New Works Development Laboratory - Podcast Series
    ,
    2019
  • Workshop
    ,
    The Where House Productions
    ,
    2019

Awards

Finalist
,
Competition Finalist
,
Trustus Playwrights Festival
,
2021
Finalist
,
Competition Finalist
,
Campfire Theatre Festival
,
2020