Paradise by Laura Maria Censabella

Yasmeen Al-Hamadi is a Muslim, Yemeni-American senior at a struggling inner-city Bronx high school. Dr. Guy Royston is her disaffected science teacher, a former Evangelical with a mysterious past. An unlikely research team, together they embark on a neurological study, leading to stormy conflicts over love, faith and culture. An Ensemble Studio Theatre/Alfred P. Sloan commissioned play and finalist for the...
Yasmeen Al-Hamadi is a Muslim, Yemeni-American senior at a struggling inner-city Bronx high school. Dr. Guy Royston is her disaffected science teacher, a former Evangelical with a mysterious past. An unlikely research team, together they embark on a neurological study, leading to stormy conflicts over love, faith and culture. An Ensemble Studio Theatre/Alfred P. Sloan commissioned play and finalist for the 2016 Saroyan/Paul Playwriting Prize for Human Rights.
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Paradise

Recommended by

  • Tanya O'Debra:
    20 Jan. 2024
    “ This a gorgeous play about power differentials, the ways people under and overestimate each other, and the ways people shortchange themselves when they make assumptions. ”
  • Lainie Vansant:
    7 Nov. 2022
    “ This is a lovely play that presents two people with very different viewpoints and treats each of them very seriously. My brain has been chewing on Censabella's words and ideas for a couple of days now and I think this very well may have permanently changed the way I think about young people and their decision-making. It's definitely worth a read or a listen! ”
  • J.Lois Diamond:
    27 Jan. 2022
    “ This play is so rich in terms of science, culture and the true meaning of education. The relationship between student and professor transcends all categories we initially place them in. Full of dramatic surprises, I would love to see this produced. ”
View all 10 recommendations

Character Information

  • Yasmeen al-Hamadi
    Looks 17,
    Arab American
    ,
    Female
    Slight Bronx Accent
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Dr. Guy Royston
    40s,
    White, African American
    ,
    Male
    Rural Virginian accent
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American, White
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    The Playwrights Laboratory - London
    ,
    2023
  • Workshop
    ,
    Gulfshore Playhouse - 4th New Works Festival
    ,
    2016
  • Workshop
    ,
    Portland Stage, Little Festival of the Unexpected
    ,
    2015
  • Commission
    ,
    Ensemble Studio Theatre/Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
  • Residency
    ,
    Space on Ryder Farm

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Mendocino Theater Company
    ,
    2023
  • Professional
    ,
    L.A. Theatre Works, Podcast (also available on Audible)
    ,
    2021
  • Professional
    ,
    Visiting Production at The Odyssey Theatre (producers Viola Davis, Julius Tennon and John Cappetta)
    ,
    2019
  • Professional
    ,
    The Matrix Theatre - Extended from Odyssey run (Viola Davis, Julius Tennon, John Cappetta, producers)
    ,
    2019
  • Professional
    ,
    Underground Railway/Central Square Theater
    ,
    2017
  • Professional
    ,
    Passage Theatre
    ,
    2017
  • Professional
    ,
    Luna Stage
    ,
    2017

Awards

Winner
,
2018 IRNE Award, Best New Play, Small/Midsize Stage
,
Independent Reviewers of New England
,
2018
Finalist
,
Outstanding New Script
,
Elliott Norton Award
,
2018
Honorable Mention
,
Jane Chambers Playwriting Award
,
ATHE
,
2017
Runner Up
,
Saroyan/Paul Playwriting Prize for Human Rights
,
ADAA
,
2016
Finalist
,
Woodward/Newman Playwriting Award
,
Bloomington Playwrights Project
,
2016