F*ck la vie d'artiste by Georgette Kelly

(2W, 1M) France, 2005: Zenab is an aspiring French-Moroccan artist, stuck giving tours of the room where Vincent Van Gogh died. When Vincent’s ghost begins to speak to her, she finds herself torn between her art and Avery, the American woman she’s fallen in love with. Meanwhile, race riots explode near Paris after two youths of color are killed in a police chase. Zenab joins the riots, easel in hand, to...
(2W, 1M) France, 2005: Zenab is an aspiring French-Moroccan artist, stuck giving tours of the room where Vincent Van Gogh died. When Vincent’s ghost begins to speak to her, she finds herself torn between her art and Avery, the American woman she’s fallen in love with. Meanwhile, race riots explode near Paris after two youths of color are killed in a police chase. Zenab joins the riots, easel in hand, to paint her own version of France—one that digs deeper than the postcard-perfect veneer sold to tourists. Based on the true story of Bouna Traoré, 15 and Zyed Benna, 17, whose deaths inspired weeks of sustained rioting across France, this play asks the question: what does it mean when your own country sees you as an outsider? [For perusal script, please contact author].
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F*ck la vie d'artiste

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear:
    14 Apr. 2021
    “ A ghost story of art and politics. The ability to be seen as one of the community is lacking and the need for expression is even greater. Well done. ”
  • Bridget Grace Sheaff:
    1 Jul. 2020
    “ No joke or irony, this is one of my top ten favorite plays in the world right now. The relevance to our current moment and the connection to the world of art and expression leave me breathless anytime I read it. I have always wanted to stage this play. I think Georgette is just a deft, compassionate, clever, and bold playwright. ”
  • Lojo Simon:
    13 Jan. 2016
    “ A love story, a heart-wrenching political commentary, a compelling melding of words and images. I highly recommend this small but powerful play. ”

Character Information

  • Zenab
    20's,
    French-Moroccan
    ,
    Female
    An aspiring painter, stuck giving tours of the room where Van Gogh died. First generation French, Moroccan heritage. This actor must speak French and some Moroccan Arabic Dialect (Darija), and is ideally of Moroccan descent.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Vincent
    20's-40's,
    African American / Black
    ,
    Male
    The ghost of Vincent Van Gogh, re-imagined by Zenab, played by a black man. The same actor also plays "Voyou," a young French man of African descent who participates in the riots. This actor must speak French, and is ideally of Francophone African descent.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Avery
    20's,
    White
    ,
    Female
    Fresh out of college in the US, and teaching English abroad for the year. Tries to speak French.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Diversionary Theatre
    ,
    2019
  • Workshop
    ,
    DC Source Festival
    ,
    2017
  • Reading
    ,
    Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE) Conference (Winner Jane Chambers Student Award)
    ,
    2014

Production History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Eccentric Theatre Company, New York, NY
    ,
    2017
  • University
    ,
    Hunter College Playwrights Festival, Dir. Jessi D. Hill
    ,
    2014

Awards

Semi-Finalist
,
Bay Area Playwrights Festival
,
2017
Finalist
,
New Play Festival
,
Activate: Midwest
,
2015
Winner
,
Jane Chamber Student Playwriting Award
,
ATHE
,
2014
Semi-Finalist
,
The Princess Grace Playwriting Fellowship
,
2014