Her, Across the River

by Hope Villanueva

An American woman on an escape from reality in Bangkok befriends a novice Buddhist monk. As they work through their wounds together, their lost loved ones journey on in the spirit world, all trying to achieve some level of peace and maybe even enlightenment. Told thru movement in a magical realism frame, this play explores the journey from grief to the start of healing.

An American woman on an escape from reality in Bangkok befriends a novice Buddhist monk. As they work through their wounds together, their lost loved ones journey on in the spirit world, all trying to achieve some level of peace and maybe even enlightenment. Told thru movement in a magical realism frame, this play explores the journey from grief to the start of healing.

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Her, Across the River

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Her, Across the River by Hope Villanueva
    “

    A moving mythical journey towards healing and peace that opens a world of understanding to us. Well done.

    A moving mythical journey towards healing and peace that opens a world of understanding to us. Well done.

    ”
  • TJ Young: Her, Across the River by Hope Villanueva
    “

    This play utilizes the mystical and the personal in fantastic balance. Villanueva isn't afraid to imagine what some of the great myths would say about one woman's journey and she utilizes our knowledge of them beautifully. By mixing two distinct cultures and mythologies, this play opens up in a fantastic way and gives us a new way to look at pain and grief. This is powerful and theatrical. Fantastic job.

    This play utilizes the mystical and the personal in fantastic balance. Villanueva isn't afraid to imagine what some of the great myths would say about one woman's journey and she utilizes our knowledge of them beautifully. By mixing two distinct cultures and mythologies, this play opens up in a fantastic way and gives us a new way to look at pain and grief. This is powerful and theatrical. Fantastic job.

    ”
  • Vivian Lermond: Her, Across the River by Hope Villanueva
    “

    A magical work that weaves golden threads of classic mythology through a carefully structured plot line. The result is a multi-tiered story of grief, loss, forgiveness, and healing and the message that "there are not bad or good places. Only where we are." HER, ACROSS THE RIVER is a powerful play that deserves a production!

    A magical work that weaves golden threads of classic mythology through a carefully structured plot line. The result is a multi-tiered story of grief, loss, forgiveness, and healing and the message that "there are not bad or good places. Only where we are." HER, ACROSS THE RIVER is a powerful play that deserves a production!

    ”

Character Information

The River is almost a character in the play. A dance ensemble could be employed to animate The River, or this could be achieved with tech elements. Feel free to expand the ensemble as large as you like.
  • Umbra
    A grieving mother who has lost her teen daughter, Talin. She needs to hide, unable to move forward without her child.
    Mid to late 40's
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Asnee
    Find solace in the monkhood, but his teen spirit is constantly questioning and doubting. His caretaker as a child was his older sister and he was given to the temple shortly before her death.
    17
    Asian -- Thai
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Demeter
    The Greek Goddess of the Harvest. She swings from joy and love to destructive rage and grief as her daughter Persephone is returned to her and taken away again with the seasons. Her magic is intensely powerful.
    Ageless
    Femme or non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Phra Mae Thorani
    The Thai Goddess of the Earth. Her magic lies in the protection of peace and serenity. Seeing strife and pain in others makes her deeply sad.
    Ageless
    Asian -- Thai
    Femme or non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Talin
    Average American teen. A mix of curiosity, fear, and drive. Coming to terms with her own death, while seeing her mother struggle.
    15
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Devi
    The adult of her family, left with responsibility for raising Devi when their mother passed. Living in poverty, she did things she was not proud of to keep food on their table. Her worry for her brother keeps her trapped, unable to completely cross into the Afterlife.
    16
    Asian -- Thai
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Persephone
    She is eternal and a teenager at the same time. She has come to terms with her place, bouncing between her mother and Hades, and now helps spirits find their way when they die.
    Ageless teen
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading, , 2020
  • Reading, INKubator On Air, 2019
  • Workshop, HBMG's Winter National Playwrights' Retreat (Creede, CO), 2017
  • Workshop, WSC Avant Bard (Washington, DC), 2017

Production History

  • Community Theater, Rapid Lemon Productions, 2022

Awards

  • Players Club New Play Festival
    Players Club of Swarthmore (PA)
    Finalist
    2020