Safeword

Lisa and Damien have a young son together, but live separately. She’s left their child with a sitter and invited Damien over tonight without telling him why. When she tells him she wants to enact a rape fantasy together, he’s hesitant at first, but soon warms up to the idea. What begins as a kinkier “Who’s on First” (“Stop!” “Really?” “No, not really!”) gives way to a night of lust, trust, and excavated trauma—...
Lisa and Damien have a young son together, but live separately. She’s left their child with a sitter and invited Damien over tonight without telling him why. When she tells him she wants to enact a rape fantasy together, he’s hesitant at first, but soon warms up to the idea. What begins as a kinkier “Who’s on First” (“Stop!” “Really?” “No, not really!”) gives way to a night of lust, trust, and excavated trauma—with devastating consequences.
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Safeword

Recommended by

  • Evan Caccioppoli:
    16 Feb. 2019
    Working on Safeword was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my career. Jack's work is fearless and raw. Safeword needs to be seen by everyone.
  • Michael Kras:
    3 Apr. 2018
    Wow. I want so badly to read the whole thing. The 20 page excerpt offered here is some of the most gripping, challenging, stomach-churningly visceral playwriting I've read in a while. If the rest of the play following those 20 pages is this engrossing (and I very much believe it would be, and then some) it's very much looking into for anyone who wants to add some fire to their season.
  • J.Stephen Brantley:
    17 Mar. 2018
    I broke a sweat reading this play. Truthful and terrifying, with wonderful roles for fearless actors.

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Dixon Place
    ,
    2016
  • Reading
    ,
    Barefoot Theatre Company
    ,
    2015
  • Reading
    ,
    Kid Brooklyn
    ,
    2014