Glass

[full-length]
The gods of Life and Death are wrestling for control of their world, trampling anyone who gets in their way. During their reign of terror, a woman refuses to bend to their will, and is forced to kill her own children. She retreats from the world to recover from her trauma, but she can't stay hidden forever. Will she find the courage to stand up to her gods?

“Glass” is...
[full-length]
The gods of Life and Death are wrestling for control of their world, trampling anyone who gets in their way. During their reign of terror, a woman refuses to bend to their will, and is forced to kill her own children. She retreats from the world to recover from her trauma, but she can't stay hidden forever. Will she find the courage to stand up to her gods?

“Glass” is an evening-length fantasia, a creation myth featuring new imaginings of Anansi the Spider, Brer Rabbit, and other iconic Black characters.
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Glass

Recommended by

  • Marie Selavy:
    5 Jul. 2018
    A brilliant exploration of myth and relationships
  • Freddy Edelhart:
    5 Jul. 2018
    I was lucky enough to see a workshop production of this play last year and it was one of my favorite shows of 2017! The magic Azure is able to write onto the stage is so mythic and beautiful and rare, and I think is on special display with this one. Read and produce this play!
  • Jax Jackson:
    19 Jun. 2018
    Glass is a beautifully written play that could just as easily be staged intimately and with a graphic realism as it could soar into immense fantastical realms saturated in magic. It is versatile and heartfelt, touching on themes of standing up to powers beyond our control, the lengths we go to in order to protect our families and loved ones, and how we care for each other as we shift and change and grow.

Character Information

  • VITA
    Ageless,
    African American
    ,
    Cisgender Female
    (she/her), the Demigod of Life. Moving like dew in the morning, she speaks through the bodies of others, turning them into human puppets. Vita has a generally sunny disposition as well as an iron will.
  • MORT
    Ageless,
    African American
    ,
    Cisgender Male
    (he/him), the Demigod of Death. Moving like smoke made flesh, he speaks through the radio, the old-timier, the better.
  • NARRATOR
    Ageless,
    African American
    ,
    Any
    (they/them), a Black storyteller of unspecified gender. Ageless. Always there leading the way and sometimes shows in the most unlikely places.
  • SPIDER
    Ageless,
    African American
    ,
    Male
    (he/him), a Black man (most of the time). A trickster, a politician, a weaver of tales. Likes to wear greys and whites. He owns a café/bar and always seems to get himself into sticky situations.
  • FOX
    Ageless,
    African American
    ,
    Male
    (he/him), sometimes cunning, sometimes cowardly, Fox is prone to disappearing. He is Lover's main squeeze and, later, ex. He likes to wear russet & rust.
  • LOVER
    Ageless,
    African American
    ,
    trans female, trans femme, transfeminine, genderqueer
    (she/her), Spider transformed. She's got a man but feels no need to let a relationship keep her from reaching her goals. She's sly and fly. Likely also wears greys and whites.
  • DEER
    Ageless,
    African American
    ,
    Female
    (she/her) Sometimes flighty, can be a little mean when it suits her. Wears soft tans & creams.
  • RABBIT
    Ageless,
    African American
    ,
    Female
    (she/her), A homemaker with an enormous brood. Dresses in white and pale pinks with splashes of brilliant red.
  • TURTLE
    Formerly ageless,
    African American
    ,
    Male
    (he/him), A long-missing friend of Fox's. He's the quiet and fiercely loyal type. Wears greens and greys if he has his druthers.
  • WOMAN
    Any,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    (she/her), has a blind date at Spider's cafe.
  • ANOTHER WOMAN
    Any,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    (she/her), a mother who has recently received quite a fright.
  • NEWSMAN
    Any,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    (he/him), your workaday radio man.
  • MAN MAN
    30s-50s,
    African American
    ,
    Male
    (he/him), A talkative barfly, an annoying younger-cousin-all-grown-up type.
  • EARLY MAY
    30s-50s,
    Black
    ,
    Male
    (he/him), A gruff man approaching middle age. Carolina May’s husband.
  • CAROLINA MAY
    30s-50s,
    Black
    ,
    Female
    (she/her), A woman with little thirst for life, She is approaching middle age. Early May’s wife.
  • PEACHES
    30s-50s,
    African American
    ,
    Female
    (she/her), Carolina May’s closest friend. Has been known to be a bit of a frenemy and a known gossip at times.

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    The Fire This Time Festival
    ,
    2016

Production History

  • Workshop
    ,
    JACK
    ,
    2017