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: Paradise

    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.

    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: Paradise

    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!

    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: Paradise

    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.

    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
    Slight Bronx Accent
    Character Age
    Looks 17
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Arab American
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Dr. Guy Royston
    Rural Virginian accent
    Character Age
    40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White,
    African American
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

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

Production History

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

Awards

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