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The Chisera by Paula Cizmar

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  • Bruce Linser, Jenny Connell Davis, & Palm Beach Dramaworks:
    4 Jun. 2023
    “ The Chisera was one of five finalists that received readings during our annual New Year/New Plays Festival in January of 2022. Set in the high desert of California in two very different time periods, and beautifully filtered through the interpersonal relationships of love and family in both, it is a sweeping, stirring, and urgent play about land and water use, personal autonomy, and the responsibility we have to ourselves, each other, and the planet we share. ”
  • Donna Hoke:
    6 Feb. 2022
    “ I was deeply struck by the sacrifices we make for both passion and progress, but this was one of just many themes skillfully woven throughout this poetic piece. Lovely work. ”
  • Cheryl Bear:
    25 Mar. 2021
    “ A powerful story about the land and the indigenous people who live on it. How do we exist in harmony and respect for all? Well done. ”
  • Jennifer O'Grady:
    4 Mar. 2020
    “ Cizmar weaves past and present together to create a wonderful, powerful play about ecology, indigenous peoples and loss, and the struggles of two different women (one of them historical). Would love to see this on stage. ”
  • Donna Gordon:
    23 Oct. 2017
    “ "The Chisera" is a successful combination of well-drawn characters, ecological debate, and modern and past worlds. To put all this together takes research and careful writing. Knowledge of Indian lore and spirituality (from the local Paiute/Shoshone) tribes whose native environment Ms. Cizmar uses for her play's background, is very interesting and unusual. The lighting used would be beautiful and any audience couldn't ask for anything more artistic. The combinations in this play are great. ”
  • Laura Shamas:
    28 Sep. 2016
    “ A beautiful eco-play about water rights, Mary Hunter Austin, the desert, mothers and daughters, and the rights of indigenous peoples (specifically the Owens Valley Paiute). Cizmar lyrically interweaves two different eras (early 20th century and today), to trace the never-ending struggle over Owens Valley water rights through naturalist/author Austin's efforts and those of a 21st century female scientist with an estranged teenaged daughter. I greatly admire THE CHISERA's strong themes (including the power of women to save the earth), and the importance given to the Paiute perspective in this unique and engaging play. ”