You Have To Promise

[PRIDE PLAYS 2020] [BAY STREET THEATRE TITLE WAVE NEW WORKS FESTIVAL 2023] Seventeen-year-olds Maeve and Nessa have been best friends their entire lives. Three months ago, they discovered what they had was more than a friendship. When they decide to come out to their families together, Nessa's father kicks her out and the girls scramble to come up with a solution, all the while lying to Maeve's...
[PRIDE PLAYS 2020] [BAY STREET THEATRE TITLE WAVE NEW WORKS FESTIVAL 2023] Seventeen-year-olds Maeve and Nessa have been best friends their entire lives. Three months ago, they discovered what they had was more than a friendship. When they decide to come out to their families together, Nessa's father kicks her out and the girls scramble to come up with a solution, all the while lying to Maeve's stepmother Rachael and trying to dream their way to being grown-up.
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You Have To Promise

Recommended by

  • Rose T.M.:
    9 Apr. 2022
    This is a gut-wrenching, earnest love story with powerful representations of both queer youth and the allies who stand by them. As the story progresses, Lang cleverly doubles down on her characters' most frustrating traits, as they build walls to divide themselves instead of reaching out for help; tension is built until the dam breaks, and when one character finally extends a hand to the other, our whole hearts pour out for them.
  • Jeff Perlman:
    23 Mar. 2021
    Beautifully written
  • Alyssa Haddad-Chin:
    23 Mar. 2021
    A beautifully written, stunning and honest depiction of coming of age and love. I was absolutely captivated through the entire read.

Character Information

  • Maeve
    17,
    Any race / ethnicity
    ,
    Female-identifying
  • Nessa
    17,
    Cuban-American
    ,
    Female-identifying
    Maeve's best friend and more recently, girlfriend.
  • Darcy
    8,
    Any race / ethnicity
    ,
    Female-identifying
    Maeve's half-sister.
  • Rachael
    late 30s to mid 40s,
    Any race / ethnicity
    ,
    Female-identifying
    Maeve's stepmother and Darcy's mother.

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Actors’ Rep New Works Nite
    ,
    2020
  • Workshop
    ,
    PRIDE PLAYS, Dir. Jenna Worsham
    ,
    2020
  • Reading
    ,
    New York City, Dir. Rachael Langton
    ,
    2018
  • Workshop
    ,
    Ithaca College, Dir. Rachael Langton
    ,
    2018
  • Reading
    ,
    Ithaca College, Dir. Rachael Langton
    ,
    2017

Awards

Finalist
,
Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting Award
,
Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE)
,
2021
Finalist
,
Bloom: A Collection of New Queer Voices
,
Stay True Theatre Company
,
2021