Policarpa: Apocalypse Sur Amerikka

by Diana Burbano

In the near future, an inexplicable plague infests La Gran Colombia. Ingrid Bolívar, brilliant, mad ex-wife of Colombia's corrupt president, is the only one who knows that the plague is carried by young women of the streets, whom she has claimed as her army. Policarpa, a girl with magical gifts, is meant to be Ingrid's greatest weapon. But when Policarpa falls in love with a top government official, she resists...

In the near future, an inexplicable plague infests La Gran Colombia. Ingrid Bolívar, brilliant, mad ex-wife of Colombia's corrupt president, is the only one who knows that the plague is carried by young women of the streets, whom she has claimed as her army. Policarpa, a girl with magical gifts, is meant to be Ingrid's greatest weapon. But when Policarpa falls in love with a top government official, she resists being used as an instrument of destruction and instead tries to become a savior.

Rooted in the fever-logic of Latin American magical realism, the nightmare-magic world of Policarpa exists in a Colombia that is just around the corner.

Policarpa has been developed at The Drama League's Rough Draft series, Theatricum Botanicum Seedlings, Oregon Shakespeare Festival Black Swan Lab Latinx Play Project, and Milagro Theatre’s Ingenio play reading series. It received an Honorable Mention for the Jane Chambers Playwriting Award, was a semi-finalist for the Eugene O’Neill Playwrights Festival 2018, and a finalist for the Bay Area Playwrights Foundation Festival 2018.

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Policarpa: Apocalypse Sur Amerikka

Recommended by

  • Ky Weeks: Policarpa: Apocalypse Sur Amerikka by Diana Burbano
    “

    Stunningly written, words that flow and rush with tangible force, to a point of near overwhelming with the thought and emotion they carry. The world that these words form for us is a world that is ending, shaped by the violence and sickness of its history, that carries relentlessly into the future. The images here are staggering in their scope, dream and spectacle, just pure magic that is so incredible they must be put on stage.

    Stunningly written, words that flow and rush with tangible force, to a point of near overwhelming with the thought and emotion they carry. The world that these words form for us is a world that is ending, shaped by the violence and sickness of its history, that carries relentlessly into the future. The images here are staggering in their scope, dream and spectacle, just pure magic that is so incredible they must be put on stage.

    ”
  • Elana Gartner: Policarpa: Apocalypse Sur Amerikka by Diana Burbano
    “

    This is an extremely powerful script about the role that women played in the Colombian revolution. Mixing magic and reality, Burbano's strong characters paint emotionally intense pictures of the complicated choices have to make. Burbano's strength is in the unique voices of each character. I saw a virtual production of this and was blown away. Just imagine how amazing it would be on stage!

    This is an extremely powerful script about the role that women played in the Colombian revolution. Mixing magic and reality, Burbano's strong characters paint emotionally intense pictures of the complicated choices have to make. Burbano's strength is in the unique voices of each character. I saw a virtual production of this and was blown away. Just imagine how amazing it would be on stage!

    ”
  • Kitchen Dog Theater: Policarpa: Apocalypse Sur Amerikka by Diana Burbano
    “

    We are pleased to support this play! It was a Finalist for the 2019 New Works Festival at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, Texas.

    We are pleased to support this play! It was a Finalist for the 2019 New Works Festival at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, Texas.

    ”
View all 10 recommendations

Character Information

All actors should be functionally bilingual Spanish/English. The male parts can be played by women in drag.
Laurelia can double Valentia. Viejo can also play Soldado and Bibiano.
  • Policarpa
    A young Colombian girl of about 19. Dark hair and skin. She is indigenous. She is la Salvadora.
    Latino -- Colombian
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Bibiano
    Her twin brother. 19. Parapalegic, uses a wheelchair. Has the use of some of his upper body and hands. Latinx indigenous
    Latino -- Colombian
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Ingrid
    The queen of the barrios. Runs a high end sewing shop as a front for her revolutionary actions. She is dark and dangerous. Older woman. White Latinx
    Latino -- Colombian
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Laurelia
    A pacifist nun. Older woman. Latinx.
    Latino -- Colombian
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Paciencia
    A brilliant woman. A computer geek. An inventor. Looks much younger than she really is. Mid 30’s. Latinx
    Latino -- Colombian
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Realidad
    Paciencia’s daughter. Stunning, ripe. A killer. 18 Latinx
    Latino -- Colombian
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Soldado
    A series of young boys.
    Latino -- Colombian
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Valentia
    An army general, Joan of Arc. Tough. Has prosthetic legs. She's not young or old.
    Latino -- Colombian
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Viejo
    A very, very elderly person, prototype "General Sandua"
    Latino -- Colombian
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading, The Blank Theatre - Living Room Series, 2018
  • Reading, 3 Girls Theatre, 2018
  • Workshop, The Drama League, 2017
  • Reading, Theatricum Botanicum GreenReads, 2017

Production History

  • Workshop, The Parsnip Ship Podcast, 2017

Awards