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

  • 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! ”
  • Premiere Stages:
    7 Apr. 2022
    “ 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 2022 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 35 semifinalists out of 655 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the provocative images and discourses throughout the play that work to support an emotionally stirring and intimate portrait of an urgent cultural issue. Our congratulations and thanks to ”
  • Bill Crouch:
    12 Mar. 2021
    “ How do I write about one of the best plays of the last decade? A brilliant, heartbreaking family drama that couldn't be more prescient? No worries, I'll just leave the beauty of the writer's craft to Tammy Ryan. If you have the good fortune to see this play, or enough self-love to commit yourself to reading this play, you will be forever changed. ”
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5 W, 1 M

Cast includes:
2 teenagers aged 18 and 15 (but should be played by actors in their 20s)
3 white characters in their 40s-50s
1 woman of color, preferred, 30s-40s

While I wrote this play for a white family, it can also be cast with interracially, keeping family relationships in mind. The two sisters, Stef and Dee should be cast as white women. Marty, Dee's husband can be any race. The teenage girls should reflect these casting choices. Tracey, the security guard should be Black or POC. See note in play regarding casting.

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