Dust of the Street by Ryan Han

Chris, a 21-year-old mixed race man is mourning the death of his father when he himself is killed in a hate crime. In a limbo between life and death he meets the grandmother who gave his father up for adoption, also recently deceased. They must reckon with their shared history and hurt if Chris is to return to life before his body bleeds out without him.
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

Dust of the Street

Recommended by

  • Karly Paige:
    25 Jun. 2019
    “ Just stunning! ”
  • Grace Heller:
    20 Jun. 2019
    “ Dust of the Street is a deeply honest piece of writing that speaks directly to the audience. It is impossible to walk away from this piece unaffected by what Chris (and Han) have to say. A beautiful and tragic depiction of family and what that means to the child of an adopted son. Absolutely worth a read- you won't want the play to end. ”
  • Eryn Elyse McVay:
    20 Jun. 2019
    “ Ryan Han is here and he has something to say. This play is an honest a refreshing look at grief, race, ancestry, and masculinity through the eyes of the up-and-coming Han. A beautiful marriage of magical imagery and realism that is not to be missed. ”
View all 9 recommendations

Character Information

Chris must be played by a mixed-race or Asian actor, Grandmother must be played by an Asian actor, Angela, Devin, and Kevin must be played by white actors.

  • Chris
    Early 20s,
    Mixed-race Corean and White
    ,
    Male Identifying
    Must be played by a mixed-race or Asian actor
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, South Asian or South Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Grandmother
    70s or up,
    Corean (Korean)
    ,
    Female-identifying
    Had a 48-year-old son but it's the afterlife, so liberties may be taken with her age. Must be played by an Asian actor.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Angela
    40s-50s,
    White
    ,
    Female-identifying
    Must be believable as the mother of a 21-year-old
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Devin and Kevin
    18 or 19,
    White
    ,
    Male Identifying
    Picture Biff's gang from Back to the Future brought into 2019
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    KCACTF Region 7
    ,
    2019

Awards

Semi-Finalist
,
John Cauble National Short Play Award
,
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
,
2019