The Art of Disappearing by Stephanie Alison Walker

Primus Prize 2016 Finalist
O'Neill Playwrights Conference 2013 Semi-Finalist
Princess Grace Award 2008 Finalist

When Melissa receives a mysterious invitation to brunch from her mother after a two-year estrangement, she returns to a home where nothing is as it seems. Fathers lie, friends leave and she herself is failing in the artist’s world she covets- as her mother practices...
Primus Prize 2016 Finalist
O'Neill Playwrights Conference 2013 Semi-Finalist
Princess Grace Award 2008 Finalist

When Melissa receives a mysterious invitation to brunch from her mother after a two-year estrangement, she returns to a home where nothing is as it seems. Fathers lie, friends leave and she herself is failing in the artist’s world she covets- as her mother practices the art of disappearing before her very eyes. The devastating truth she discovers in her parents’ house threatens to tear all of them apart for good. Will Melissa stay and fight for her family? Or will she disappear too?
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

The Art of Disappearing

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear:
    20 Jan. 2021
    “ A terrific play about the instability one feels when everything seems to be disappearing and the unity of family. Well done! ”
  • Lainie Vansant:
    31 Jul. 2019
    “ This play is an engaging and exciting read, and it offers a lot for productions as well. Walker layers the challenges of dementia over an already challenging family dynamic to create deep, exciting characters that actors will be happy to sink their teeth into, including a great role for an actress in her 50s-60s. This would be great in an intimate community theater, but producers and readers of all stripes should check it out! ”
  • Emily Hageman:
    22 Dec. 2018
    “ Wow, wow, wow. Not sure why this isn't one of the most read and rec'd plays on NPX. This is an absolutely magnificent play. It takes an often wrote about subject and tackles it in a way that seems familiar, but at the same time blisteringly new. These are real people that we encounter--broken, beautiful, irredeemable people doing things that are wonderful, things that are awful. They are living and failing and winning in equal measures. Walker is one of my favorite playwrights, and soon, she will be one of yours too. Produce this play. Now. ”
View all 4 recommendations

2 Men, 2 Women

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    16th Street Theater
    ,
    2013
  • Reading
    ,
    Chicago Dramatists
    ,
    2012
  • Reading
    ,
    The Blank Theatre
    ,
    2009
  • Reading
    ,
    Moving Arts
    ,
    2006

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    16th Street Theatre - Berwyn, IL
    ,
    2015

Awards

Finalist
,
Primus Prize
,
American Theater Critics Association
,
2016
Finalist
,
Princess Grace Award
,
Princess Grace Foundation
,
2008