Spay

by Madison Fiedler

Williamson, West Virginia has been aptly nicknamed “Pilliamson” as long as the Attridge sisters have called it home. In the wake of their mother’s overdose, the two sisters have taken very different paths. As Harper raises Noah’s child, vowing to tread new ground, Noah finds herself unable to break old cycles – until a stranger promises a way to do just that. Madison Fiedler’s new drama SPAY interrogates the...

Williamson, West Virginia has been aptly nicknamed “Pilliamson” as long as the Attridge sisters have called it home. In the wake of their mother’s overdose, the two sisters have taken very different paths. As Harper raises Noah’s child, vowing to tread new ground, Noah finds herself unable to break old cycles – until a stranger promises a way to do just that. Madison Fiedler’s new drama SPAY interrogates the question of autonomy in small-town Appalachia.

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Spay

Recommended by

  • Martha Wade Steketee: Spay by Madison Fiedler
    “

    This is a quiet, well crafted play about devastating social and political realities and the unrelenting nature of substance addiction. The horror and exhaustion of living adjacent to the situation -- family members of addicts, the Al-Anon world -- is delightfully, disturbingly well captured here. I was terrified by the scene of NOAH on the other side of a closed door, high and frustrated and alone with her young son. Terrifying, terrific writing.

    This is a quiet, well crafted play about devastating social and political realities and the unrelenting nature of substance addiction. The horror and exhaustion of living adjacent to the situation -- family members of addicts, the Al-Anon world -- is delightfully, disturbingly well captured here. I was terrified by the scene of NOAH on the other side of a closed door, high and frustrated and alone with her young son. Terrifying, terrific writing.

    ”
  • Shaun Leisher: Spay by Madison Fiedler
    “

    A brilliant play about the opioid epidemic. A great character study about the repercussions of addiction that go beyond just the life of the user. PRODUCE THIS PLAY!!!

    A brilliant play about the opioid epidemic. A great character study about the repercussions of addiction that go beyond just the life of the user. PRODUCE THIS PLAY!!!

    ”
  • Jason Parrish: Spay by Madison Fiedler
    “

    SPAY is a powerful and human story about three remarkable women living the daily reality of the opioid crisis in the American South. This play kept me turning pages until the very end. Madison's given us amazing roles for three young women, and their voices need to be heard. Florida Rep was honored to include this play in its 2020 Virtual PlayLab.

    SPAY is a powerful and human story about three remarkable women living the daily reality of the opioid crisis in the American South. This play kept me turning pages until the very end. Madison's given us amazing roles for three young women, and their voices need to be heard. Florida Rep was honored to include this play in its 2020 Virtual PlayLab.

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

  • Noah
    Swings between goofy sweetness and rage. Anxious, childlike. Fervently attached to people. An active user.
    20
    White
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Harper
    Tough-love, intractable. Kind, not nice. Big on rules. A kindergarten teacher.
    25
    biracial,
    mixed-race Black and white
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Aubrey
    Watchful, bright, ceaselessly polite. A Midwestern sensibility.
    late 40s-mid 50s
    White
    woman
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Jackson
    Affable, playful, more vulnerable than he lets on.
    21
    White
    Man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Commission, BoHo Theatre, 2019
  • Reading, BoHo Theatre, 2019
  • Workshop, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 2019

Production History

  • Professional, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 2022

Awards

  • M. Elizabeth Osborn Award
    American Theatre Critics Association
    Winner
    2023
  • Jeff Award (Best New Work nominee)
    Jeff Awards
    Finalist
    2022
  • Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award
    American Theatre Critics Association
    Finalist
    2023
  • Kilroys List
    The Kilroys
    Selection
    2020