Take My Hand And Wave Goodbye by Tammy Ryan

When Stef is killed in a random act of gun violence, her niece, Cassie, begins dreaming her back into existence. In the months after the shooting each family member is confronted with the question: “if they had done one thing differently would Stef still be alive? An examination of grief, told with humor and heart – Take My Hand And Wave Goodbye is about the impact of gun violence on one family in America –...
When Stef is killed in a random act of gun violence, her niece, Cassie, begins dreaming her back into existence. In the months after the shooting each family member is confronted with the question: “if they had done one thing differently would Stef still be alive? An examination of grief, told with humor and heart – Take My Hand And Wave Goodbye is about the impact of gun violence on one family in America – and what it means to move forward.
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Take My Hand And Wave Goodbye

Recommended by

  • Genevieve Vroom:
    10 May. 2023
    “ Take My Hand and Wave Goodbye is a play that I found to be a heart twisting, moving, and intimate picture of a grieving family. I was immersed in this powerful discussion of active shooter drills and the effect they have on the school aged children that have to participate in them. This play speaks to the present moment in a way that feels personal to those that are victims of shootings. This play talks about cycles of grief and the pain that all families feel after something like this by asking, “What could I have done differently?”
    ”
  • Premiere Stages:
    5 May. 2023
    “ Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Take My Hand and Wave Goodbye” by Tammy Ryan as a Semi-Finalist for the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. “Take My Hand and Wave Goodbye” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 40 Semi-Finalists out of 701 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the play’s strong craft and its visceral grappling with grief, rage, and violence. Our congratulations and thanks to Tammy. ”
  • Mora V. Harris:
    15 Jul. 2022
    “ I was fortunate to see a reading of this play at the Pittsburgh Public Theatre and found it to be a rich, moving, and intimate portrait of grieving family. I was especially struck by the powerful discussion of active shooter drills and the effect they have on the young people participating in them. This is a play that speaks to the present moment in a way that feels both personal and profound. I can't wait to see it fully produced! ”
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4W, 1 M, 1 Any gender:
2 teenage sisters aged 18 and 15 (suggest they be played by actors in their 20s)
2 women, ranging 30s-40s-50s
1 man, 40s-50s
1 character any race, gender or age.

Tracey, the security guard can be cast as any race, gender or age, but should not be the only POC in the cast. Feel free to cast the family interracially, keeping in mind the sister relationships.

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Theater Squared - Arkansas New Play Festival
    ,
    2022
  • Reading
    ,
    Orlando Shakes - Playfest
    ,
    2020

Awards

Arkansas New Play Festival
,
Theatre Squared
,
2022
Haas Fellow
,
Playpenn Conference
,
2020
Playfest
,
Orlando Shakespeare Festival
,
2020
Semi-Finalist
,
Bay Area Playwrights Festival
,
Playwrights Foundation
,
2020