Where Storms Are Born

by Harrison David Rivers

Mourning the loss of her elder son Myles, Bethea tries to help her younger son Gideon through his grief. But as revelations surrounding Myles’ incarceration and death emerge, both mother and son must decide whether to fight or let go. With wit and empathy, this play reminds us of the courage and resilience it takes to chart a better way forward for the ones we love.

Mourning the loss of her elder son Myles, Bethea tries to help her younger son Gideon through his grief. But as revelations surrounding Myles’ incarceration and death emerge, both mother and son must decide whether to fight or let go. With wit and empathy, this play reminds us of the courage and resilience it takes to chart a better way forward for the ones we love.

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Where Storms Are Born

Recommended by

  • Shaun Leisher: Where Storms Are Born

    A really great memory play. Love how complex Gideon and Bethea's individual connections are with Myles and how they choose to remember him. Love how queerness is never questioned or a main point of contention in this play.

    A really great memory play. Love how complex Gideon and Bethea's individual connections are with Myles and how they choose to remember him. Love how queerness is never questioned or a main point of contention in this play.

  • Nick Malakhow: Where Storms Are Born

    An exquisite and beautiful play that explores grief in a nuanced and uniquely theatrical way. Every character rings with truth and humanity. Bethea's extremely complex relationships with Gideon and Myles (and her grief) in the aftermath of Myles' death feel so multi-dimensional and beautifully realized. I love how Rivers tells this story in nuanced scenes that avoid melodramatics. The culminating explosive moments feel earned and well worth waiting for. The spectre of Myles haunts the Solomon family but not in a gimmicky or overwrought way. The ending stage picture--as well as many before it-...

    An exquisite and beautiful play that explores grief in a nuanced and uniquely theatrical way. Every character rings with truth and humanity. Bethea's extremely complex relationships with Gideon and Myles (and her grief) in the aftermath of Myles' death feel so multi-dimensional and beautifully realized. I love how Rivers tells this story in nuanced scenes that avoid melodramatics. The culminating explosive moments feel earned and well worth waiting for. The spectre of Myles haunts the Solomon family but not in a gimmicky or overwrought way. The ending stage picture--as well as many before it--is sublime!

  • Eugene O'Neill Theater Center: Where Storms Are Born

    It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Harrison David Rivers and their play WHERE STORMS ARE BORN as a finalist for our 2015 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one finalist out of hundreds of submissions, the strength of this play’s writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process.

    It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Harrison David Rivers and their play WHERE STORMS ARE BORN as a finalist for our 2015 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one finalist out of hundreds of submissions, the strength of this play’s writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process.

Character Information

  • Bethea Solomon
    Engaged and protective.
    You’d be a fool to cross her.
    Character Age
    50s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Black
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Gideon Solomon
    A sensitive, dutiful son.
    He has a beautiful smile—he should smile more.
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Black
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Myles Solomon
    Charming and charismatic.
    Could have been anything.
    Character Age
    30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Black
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Worthy Bell
    Calls it like she sees it.
    Ride or die.
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Black
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Benton Massey
    Knows how to use what he has to get what he wants.
    Sexy as fuck.
    Character Age
    20-30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Black
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Luke Jacobs
    A corrections officer.
    A Boy Scout with an edge.
    Character Age
    20-30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any (but probably white)
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization Williamstown Theatre Festival, Year 2016
  • Type Workshop, Organization Labyrinth Theatre Company, Year 2015

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization WIlliamstown Theatre Festival, Year 2017

Awards

  • Edgerton Foundation New Play Award
    2017
  • Finalist
    O’Neill National Playwrights Conference
    2015