Copper Angel by Emily McClain

FULL LENGTH HISTORICAL DRAMA- Based on the life of American artist Anna Coleman Ladd, this play takes an unflinching look at the human cost of war and how we are all called upon to "restore the beauty that was lost." The structure of the play is a traditional linear story intercut with "portraits" that share the innermost thoughts of people Anna interacts with throughout her time at a...
FULL LENGTH HISTORICAL DRAMA- Based on the life of American artist Anna Coleman Ladd, this play takes an unflinching look at the human cost of war and how we are all called upon to "restore the beauty that was lost." The structure of the play is a traditional linear story intercut with "portraits" that share the innermost thoughts of people Anna interacts with throughout her time at a surgical hospital in WWI France.
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Copper Angel

Recommended by

  • Chelsea Frandsen:
    25 May. 2021
    “ For many many reasons, Anna Coleman Ladd has long been one of my heroes so I was excited beyond belief to come across this marvelous play! McClain has taken this powerhouse of a woman and told her story with poetry, empathy, and realism that brings Ladd and her greatest acheivement to stunning life. ”
  • Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend:
    25 May. 2021
    “ This play about Anna Coleman Ladd, who made masks for disfigured WWI veterans, is beautiful. Her story is told so succinctly, yet so movingly as well. I love how Emily McClain weaves in music and poetry to tell the story, and I especially enjoyed how nobody felt like that 'bad guy' in the play. Anna's husband doesn't understand or appreciate her work, but just when I was starting to dislike him, along came a scene in which he was trying to write letters to the mothers of dead soldiers, which broke my heart for him. What a wonderful play. ”
  • Molly Wagner:
    22 Apr. 2020
    “ This is such a beautiful and moving play featuring a woman from history that I was delighted to get to know through this piece. What an incredible examination of one woman's contribution to healing and rebuilding in the aftermath of a devastating war. ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

ENSEMBLE of 3 men and 2 women play the following roles:
DOCTOR, BLIND SOLDIER, NURSE 1, NURSE 2, WOUNDED SOLDIER 1, YOUNG MOTHER, CHILD, PRIEST, WIFE, RECRUITER, WOUNDED SOLDIER 2

  • Maynard Ladd
    50's, 60's,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Clarance Edgars
    30's,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Anna Coleman Ladd
    20's-30's,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    American sculptor and painter
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    borderless productions
    ,
    2020
  • Reading
    ,
    Lionheart Theatre
    ,
    2019
  • Workshop
    ,
    Working Title Playwrights
    ,
    2019
  • Workshop
    ,
    LMDA National Conference
    ,
    2019

Production History

  • Community Theater
    ,
    Bourne Community Theatre
    ,
    2023
  • Community Theater
    ,
    borderless productions
    ,
    2021

Awards

Winner
,
TNT POPS Best New Play
,
Texas Nonprofit Theatre
,
2022