THE DELAYS by Sara Jean Accuardi

[full length] In an airport, where everyone's busy going somewhere, THE DELAYS focuses on a group going nowhere. A play about the small moments that connect us. Winner of the 2019 Drammy Award for Outstanding Original Script.

“It’s a moving, well-crafted play that shows how easy it is to get trapped… I enjoyed THE DELAYS immensely. Accuardi’s writing is sharp, and I love her decision to...
[full length] In an airport, where everyone's busy going somewhere, THE DELAYS focuses on a group going nowhere. A play about the small moments that connect us. Winner of the 2019 Drammy Award for Outstanding Original Script.

“It’s a moving, well-crafted play that shows how easy it is to get trapped… I enjoyed THE DELAYS immensely. Accuardi’s writing is sharp, and I love her decision to reveal the characters’ lives in reverse. Somehow, knowing the end makes the journey even more poignant.” – Krista Garver, Broadway World

“Accuardi's play is both new and a masterpiece... It takes regret and satisfaction, pain and joy, and fuses them together to create a tapestry of spectacularly honest stories and characterizations." - Bennett Campbell Ferguson, Willamette Week
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THE DELAYS

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear:
    23 Jan. 2021
    “ A terrific capture of life in its reality. Wanting to take off, but sometimes getting stuck or tangled. Well done. ”
  • Steven G. Martin:
    5 Dec. 2020
    “ Structure, setting, and characters' history are at the forefront of this play filled with irony, hope, and disillusionment.

    Sara Jean Accuardi has created characters who are all on the brink of starting new, not only a new year but also new opportunities. Their fear and excitement are palpable. Audiences, though, already know how some stories will turn out, and this dramatic irony only makes those characters' emotions more intense.

    Pay attention to everything in "The Delays." There isn't a wasted action or line of dialogue. ”
  • Jerry Polner:
    5 Dec. 2020
    “ In The Delays, it's always New Year's Eve and we're always left standing at the same sad airport gift shop. But a chain of characters take us backwards in time through missed opportunities and small victories. A poignant, funny, and beautifully written play. ”
View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

  • ANDREAS
    Hasn't been out of high school for very long
    The actor who plays Andreas doubles as THE TRAVELER.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • THALIA
    Older than Andreas, then not
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • HASKELL
    Older than she looks
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • FRANK
    Around Thalia's age
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • SHELBY
    A little younger than Frank
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • CADEN
    Also around Thalia's age
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Commission
    ,
    Theatre Vertigo
    ,
    2018

Production History

  • University
    ,
    Ball State University
    ,
    2021
  • Professional
    ,
    Theatre Vertigo
    ,
    2019

Awards

Finalist
,
Angus Bowmer Award in Drama
,
Oregon Book Awards
,
2021
Finalist
,
21st Century Voices New Play Festival
,
American Stage
,
2020
Semi-Finalist
,
The Working Farm Residency
,
SPACE on Ryder Farm
,
2020
Winner
,
Best Original Script
,
The Drammy Awards
,
2019