Mirrors by Azure D Osborne-Lee

[full-length]
When 17 year-old Alma Jean finds her mother dead, she must pack up her life and move in with her mother's ex-lover, a woman she doesn't know. Her new guardian, Bird Wilson, is the town pariah and unused to sharing her home. Will mourning the death of a shared loved one bring Alma Jean and Bird together or push them further apart?
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Mirrors

Recommended by

  • Reinette LeJeune:
    28 Oct. 2021
    “ This play is absolutely beautiful; the language dances between natural and poetic speech, the characters are all perfectly entwined in each other's business like an actual Mississippi parish. Conflicts and desires ricochet off one another, slowly building to the shocking and heartbreaking truth of it all. Bird is human and she's a survivor and watching her build this relationship with the newly arrived Alma Jean is both heart-warming and heart-wrenching. I look forward to the day I get to experience this play in person! ”
  • Nick Malakhow:
    29 Sep. 2020
    “ A well structured, nuanced, and human play with amazing roles for Black women. The language both has the everyday irregularities of natural speech as well as a beautiful lyricism. Revelations are doled out at a good pace with wise use of flashback and private conversation. I hope to see this onstage soon! ”
  • Jennifer Kranz:
    9 Jul. 2020
    “ I had the pleasure of working on this play before it's untimely shut down (after being chosen by the artistic team) at NYTW Next Door, due to COVID. (It was named as a Kilroy selection shortly thereafter). How often do we see plays about black, queer women in the American South? How often do we see plays that are this timely, necessary, and gorgeously written? It is as honest, brutal, and touching a work as they come. It deserves many more productions. ”
View all 6 recommendations

Character Information

This play is intended to be performed with an all-Black cast.

  • BIRD WILSON
    45-55,
    African American
    ,
    Cisgender Female, gender non-conforming, butch
    A middle-aged Black woman, a metalsmith and a resident of Etheridge, Mississippi.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • ANNABELLE "BELLE" PIERSON
    35-50,
    African American
    ,
    Cisgender Female, High Femme
    A Black woman, mother of Alma Jean and former lover of Bird. Died in her forties, a resident of Cane, Mississippi.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • ALMA JEAN PIERSON
    17,
    African American
    ,
    Cisgender Female
    A 17 year-old Black girl, daughter of Belle, and a former resident of Cane, Mississippi.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • LOUISE STERLING
    25-45,
    African American
    ,
    Cisgender Female
    Bird's neighbor and current lover, she is somewhat younger than Bird, probably in her late 30s.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • MABEL MOSELY
    40-55,
    African American
    ,
    Cisgender Female
    Nosy and outrageous churchgoing resident of Etheridge. She is in her 40s and is the best friend of Constance Jenkins.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • CONSTANCE JENKINS
    40-55,
    African American
    ,
    Cisgender Female
    Outspoken and meddling churchgoing resident of Etheridge. She is in her 40s and is the best friend of Mabel Mosley.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • RAY JOHNSON, JR
    18-21,
    African American
    ,
    Cisgender Male
    A charming and self-assured 19 year-old man. He is Alma Jean's boyfriend from Cane, Mississippi.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Austin Scottish Rite Theater
    ,
    2019
  • Reading
    ,
    Parity Productions
    ,
    2019
  • Reading
    ,
    Parity Productions
    ,
    2018
  • Reading
    ,
    Castillo Theatre
    ,
    2015
  • Commission
    ,
    Freedom Train Productions
    ,
    2010

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Filmed Staged Production, produced by Parity Productions
    ,
    2021
  • Professional
    ,
    Next Door at New York Theatre Workshop, Produced by Parity Productions
    ,
    2020
  • Workshop
    ,
    Downtown Urban Arts Festival
    ,
    2018

Awards

Selection
,
The Kilroys List
,
2020
Winner
,
Best Play
,
Downtown Urban Arts Festival
,
2018
Winner
,
Annual Commission
,
Parity Productions
,
2018
Winner
,
Mario Fratti-Fred Newman Political Play Award
,
Castillo Theatre
,
2015