They Could Give No Name by Exal Iraheta

Somewhere in the southern end of Arizona, medical examiner Nellie Ramirez descends into near-madness when her fiancé, a border patrol agent, accidentally kills a young immigrant girl. In order to save her future family, Nellie must make a decision that threatens to tear her life apart. Little does she know that soon the desert will come to collect what is due to it. This macabre, magical play takes an...
Somewhere in the southern end of Arizona, medical examiner Nellie Ramirez descends into near-madness when her fiancé, a border patrol agent, accidentally kills a young immigrant girl. In order to save her future family, Nellie must make a decision that threatens to tear her life apart. Little does she know that soon the desert will come to collect what is due to it. This macabre, magical play takes an unsettling look at the complexities of identity, cruelty of immigration, and the power behind a name.
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They Could Give No Name

Recommended by

  • Eugene O'Neill Theater Center:
    22 Jun. 2020
    “ It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Exal Iraheta and their play They Could Give No Name as a finalist for our 2020 National Playwrights Conference. This particular work emerged from a highly competitive, anonymous, and multi-tiered selection process to become one of 63 finalists out of more than 1,500 submissions. This enthralling piece galvanized the hearts and theatrical imaginations of our reading teams and is fully championed by our offices. We are honored to put our enthusiastic support behind this writer and their ongoing contributions to the American Theater. ”
  • Nick Malakhow:
    25 Dec. 2019
    “ This is a haunting and powerful play about identity, immigration, grief, and family. I so appreciated the cross section of people represented in this play, particularly the distinct ways Nellie, Terry, Ana, and Victoria navigated their Latinx identities within themselves and around one another. Araceli was a haunting presence and her arrival prompted some of the most potent surprises. Not to be left out, Nick was intriguing as well, and his arc satisfying and complex. I also love the visual/aural world Iraheta creates here. It is uniquely theatrical and I would love to see it realized onstage soon! ”
  • Cassandra Rose:
    8 Aug. 2019
    “ This play is an excellent example of magical realism. In an insane world, all that's left is the monstrous. When all that remains of a person is their remains, how do we stay true to ourselves? ”
View all 5 recommendations

NELLIE 30s - Latina White Passing, 2nd Generation Latin American. Extremely Logical.
NICK Late 30s -Whit Something endearing about him.
VICTORIA 50s - Latina Salvadorian Immigrant, old country.
ANA 20s - Latina 1st Generation Any Skin Tone, optimistic.
TERRY Late 40s Latino POC - Family and country first.
ARACELI 16 - Latina

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Northwestern University MFA Writing for the Screen & Stage, Collaboration Festival
    ,
    2019
  • Reading
    ,
    Victory Gardens Ignition Festival of New Plays
    ,
    2019

Awards

Finalist
,
National Playwrights Conference
,
The O’Neill
,
2020
Finalist
,
Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting
,
Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE)
,
2020
Finalist
,
Kernodle New Play Award
,
University of Arkansas Department of Theatre
,
2020
Honorable Mention
,
Relentless Award
,
The American Playwriting Foundation
,
2019