the day we were born by Jaisey Bates

LOG LINE: When two young men on a dying planet are activated as soldiers their relatives race against time trying to bring everyone together before it’s too late.

SYNOPSIS: On the same day in the northernmost U.S. city two whales are freed and two boys are born. Raised as brothers within a culture and climate in crisis, the boys join the Alaskan National Guard in high school and are activated...
LOG LINE: When two young men on a dying planet are activated as soldiers their relatives race against time trying to bring everyone together before it’s too late.

SYNOPSIS: On the same day in the northernmost U.S. city two whales are freed and two boys are born. Raised as brothers within a culture and climate in crisis, the boys join the Alaskan National Guard in high school and are activated after graduation. From the freezing Arctic Circle to the sweltering deserts of Iraq the past and the present co-exist in a race against time to bring everyone together before it’s too late.

CASTING: 6 to 8 adults of color.
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the day we were born

Recommended by

  • Darcy Parker Bruce:
    6 Apr. 2018
    “ This play this play this play. So funny. So beautiful and wrenching. So theatrical. I'm so happy to have found this play and I'm excited to read the rest of Jaisey's work. I look forward to seeing this show on stage. ”
  • Unicorn Theatre:
    6 Apr. 2018
    “ This play was a SEMIFINALIST for the 2017-2018 In-Progress New Play Reading Series at Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. It is our pleasure to support THE DAY WE WERE BORN. ”
  • Gina Femia:
    28 Nov. 2017
    “ This play is breathtaking, heartbreaking, funny and I'm positive, unlike anything you've ever read. I'm a huge fan of this gorgeous work of art. Please read and produce this play! ”
View all 4 recommendations

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Blank Theatre's Living Room Series
    ,
    2018
  • Reading
    ,
    Marin Theatre Company, in-house Company reading
    ,
    2016
  • Reading
    ,
    Oklahoma City Theater Company, as part of the Native American New Play Festival
    ,
    2015
  • Reading
    ,
    Native Voices at the Autry, as part of the First Look Series, Los Angeles, CA
    ,
    2012

Production History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Oklahoma City Theater Company - 6 nonAEA workshops with some actors on book during the Native American New Play Festival
    ,
    2016

Awards

Semi-Finalist
,
In-Progress New Play Reading Series
,
Unicorn Theatre
,
2018
Semi-Finalist
,
Bay Area Playwrights Festival
,
2018
Finalist
,
O'Neill National Playwrights Conference
,
2017
Honorable Mention
,
The List
,
Kilroys
,
2017
Finalist
,
Princess Grace Award
,
Princess Grace Foundation-USA
,
2017
Finalist
,
First Flight New Play Festival
,
Boomerang Theatre Company
,
2017
Judges' Choice
,
Native American New Play Festival
,
Oklahoma City Theater Company
,
2016