BlueShift

by John J King

Damon bought a house, and Martha is moving in with him. But she has trouble finding a room of her own in the new place. Meanwhile the house has spiders, raccoons, sad paint, and a neighbor who seems a bit too excited that a mixed-race couple has moved in. Turns out this may not be the best place for Martha to fight off her past demons. And speaking of demons: what is that coming out of the trunk in the attic?

A...

Damon bought a house, and Martha is moving in with him. But she has trouble finding a room of her own in the new place. Meanwhile the house has spiders, raccoons, sad paint, and a neighbor who seems a bit too excited that a mixed-race couple has moved in. Turns out this may not be the best place for Martha to fight off her past demons. And speaking of demons: what is that coming out of the trunk in the attic?

A ghost story about depression and time travel.

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BlueShift

Recommended by

  • Nick Malakhow: BlueShift

    A gorgeous, haunting play about relationships, depression, and the complex and perpetual process of taking care of one's mental health in adulthood. The relationship between Martha and Damon is rendered with such fine and nuanced brushstrokes, and the theatricalization of Martha's demons is unique, supremely effective, and gives so much for a production team to work with from all angles--actors, directors, designers. This play manages to plumb the scary depths of depression and to end on a hopeful note that doesn't sugarcoat or idealize recovery. Beautiful!

    A gorgeous, haunting play about relationships, depression, and the complex and perpetual process of taking care of one's mental health in adulthood. The relationship between Martha and Damon is rendered with such fine and nuanced brushstrokes, and the theatricalization of Martha's demons is unique, supremely effective, and gives so much for a production team to work with from all angles--actors, directors, designers. This play manages to plumb the scary depths of depression and to end on a hopeful note that doesn't sugarcoat or idealize recovery. Beautiful!

  • Ramona Rose King: BlueShift

    This beautiful play is a theatrical, mind-bending love story. It really drives home the fact that the scariest thing to be haunted by is yourself—your past and your potential future(s).

    This beautiful play is a theatrical, mind-bending love story. It really drives home the fact that the scariest thing to be haunted by is yourself—your past and your potential future(s).

  • Unicorn Theatre: BlueShift

    This play was a FINALIST for the 2017-2018 In-Progress New Play Reading Series at Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. It is our pleasure to support BLUESHIFT.

    This play was a FINALIST for the 2017-2018 In-Progress New Play Reading Series at Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. It is our pleasure to support BLUESHIFT.

View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

  • CHERIE
    Interdimensional pancake tourist, Future-Style. Doubles with “MARTHA-19.”
    Character Age
    19
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Black
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • MARTHA
    An astrophysics nerd with mental health issues. 32 years old, black female.
    Character Age
    30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Black
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • DAMON
    Martha's beau; graphic designer who wants to be drawing comics. 26, white male.
    Character Age
    late 20's
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • JEAN
    A neighbor lady who likes tea, cross-stitching, and bridge. 60s, white female.
    Character Age
    60s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • MARTHA-19
    “Young Black and Fabulous” meets “just jumped off a tall building.” 19-year-old black female. Doubles with “CHERIE.”
    Character Age
    19
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Black
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • MARTHA-42
    Looks like she’s been drowned in a marsh for a week. Late 40’s, black female.
    Character Age
    42
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Black
    Character Gender Identity
    Female

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Huntington Theatre Company, Year 2016

Awards

  • Bay Area Playwrights Festival
    Playwrights Foundation
    Semi-Finalist
    2018
  • In-Progress New Play Reading Series
    Unicorn Theatre, Kansas City, MS
    Finalist
    2018
  • New Play Festival
    Kitchen Dog Theatre, Dallas, TX
    Finalist
    2017
  • National Playwrights Conference
    Eugen O'Neill Theatre Center
    Finalist
    2016