Gracia is a Chicana writer and DREAMer. In order to draw attention to her work but not her undocumented status, Gracia convinces her white and US-born best friend Mariza to perform her poetry. When Gracia’s words launch Mariza into gaining a following as a Latinx artist and activist, their friendship is tested by issues of privilege and cultural appropriation. Part play, part poetry slam, “Brown Face” follows a...
Gracia is a Chicana writer and DREAMer. In order to draw attention to her work but not her undocumented status, Gracia convinces her white and US-born best friend Mariza to perform her poetry. When Gracia’s words launch Mariza into gaining a following as a Latinx artist and activist, their friendship is tested by issues of privilege and cultural appropriation. Part play, part poetry slam, “Brown Face” follows a group of college students as they navigate their identities in the competitive world of spoken word poetry. Available: https://www.concordtheatricals.com/s/95098/brown-face
Recommend
Download
Save to Reading List
Brown Face
Recommended by
Gabriella Bonamici:
27 May. 2022
“
Carissa Atallah explores identity, privilege, and authenticity in this witty and thought-provoking play about two college frenemies. ”
Shaun Leisher:
3 Oct. 2020
“
The ideas and questions that fill this play are ones that couldn't be more relevant. It's in no way didactic, though. It's a play that never chooses a side with any specific character. It actually leaves that up to the audience in a jaw-dropping final moment. Colonization and appropriation need to be discussed in all areas of our culture but especially in the theatre. ”
Playwrights Foundation:
21 May. 2020
“
Playwrights Foundation enthusiastically recommends this play, BROWN FACE, as a Semi-Finalist for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival 2020. We were moved by the quality of the writing and the relevant and compelling themes that spoke to the mission of our festival. It excelled in a competitive process of 735 plays submitted this year and rose to the top after a six month long process discussing its merits with both national and local Bay Area readers, and we hope it moves swiftly towards production. ”
Character Information
Gracia Flores
19,
Mexican; Indigenous or Mixed-Indigenous
,
Female
Can be played by:
Age:
Teens, 20s, 30s
Race/Ethnicity:
Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
Gender:
Female, Non-binary
Mariza Concord
19,
White
,
Female
(Pronounced “Merissa”)
Can be played by:
Age:
Teens, 20s, 30s
Race/Ethnicity:
Latinx/o/a or Hispanic, White
Gender:
Female, Non-binary
Sayda Aguilar
22,
Afro-Latinx
,
Female
Can be played by:
Age:
Teens, 20s, 30s
Race/Ethnicity:
Black, African, Caribbean, or African American, Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
Gender:
Female, Non-binary
Alex Lechuga
21,
Latinx
,
Male
(Goes by Lechuga)
Can be played by:
Age:
Teens, 20s, 30s
Race/Ethnicity:
Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
Gender:
Male, Non-binary
Xitaly Manjarrez
22,
Mexican ; Hispanic European
,
Female
Native Spanish-speaker
Can be played by:
Age:
Teens, 20s, 30s
Race/Ethnicity:
Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
Gender:
Female, Non-binary
Development History
Reading
,
Playwrights' Arena
,
2021
Workshop
,
University of California, Riverside
,
2019
Reading
,
Latinx Play Project
,
2017
Production History
University
,
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region VIII
,
2022
University
,
University of California, Riverside
,
2021
Awards
Winner
,
The Harold and Mimi Steinberg National Student Playwriting Award