Rust On Bone

Trapped by a stranger in her office, psychologist Dr. Devra Mendoza must use all of her training to maneuver her way through a game of cat and mouse with life and death consequences. Rust on Bone, looks at the personal cost of war, societal stigmas of therapy, and the ripple effects of trauma and mental illness.

Trapped by a stranger in her office, psychologist Dr. Devra Mendoza must use all of her training to maneuver her way through a game of cat and mouse with life and death consequences. Rust on Bone, looks at the personal cost of war, societal stigmas of therapy, and the ripple effects of trauma and mental illness.

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Rust On Bone

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  • Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend: Rust On Bone

    Oh wow, the first 53 pages of this play will suck you in! I wish the rest were available to read - or even better, I wish I could see a production! This play deals with trauma and how it doesn't go away when the traumatic moment has past. The story is told non-linearly, to great effect. What a powerful piece!

    Oh wow, the first 53 pages of this play will suck you in! I wish the rest were available to read - or even better, I wish I could see a production! This play deals with trauma and how it doesn't go away when the traumatic moment has past. The story is told non-linearly, to great effect. What a powerful piece!

  • Nick Malakhow: Rust On Bone

    What a ride it was to read the first 50 pages or so which are available here to download! Sams' use of shifting chronology and memory and sound heightens the theatricality and tension of this already taut narrative. Devra is an amazing and layered protagonist, and the reveals come elegantly and naturally while still being surprising. I appreciated how this both worked as a compelling psychological thriller and a nuanced and complex exploration of mental health, PTSD, and the resources sorely lacking or underdeveloped or under-priortized for veterans. Definitely dying to know how it ends!

    What a ride it was to read the first 50 pages or so which are available here to download! Sams' use of shifting chronology and memory and sound heightens the theatricality and tension of this already taut narrative. Devra is an amazing and layered protagonist, and the reveals come elegantly and naturally while still being surprising. I appreciated how this both worked as a compelling psychological thriller and a nuanced and complex exploration of mental health, PTSD, and the resources sorely lacking or underdeveloped or under-priortized for veterans. Definitely dying to know how it ends!

  • Darcy Parker Bruce: Rust On Bone

    This play is a tidal wave. Devra is a character we can lose ourselves in and RUST is a play with high stakes that keeps revving up. An exploration of what it means to be asked to return to a world you protected that isn't able to protect you. A fascinating play.

    This play is a tidal wave. Devra is a character we can lose ourselves in and RUST is a play with high stakes that keeps revving up. An exploration of what it means to be asked to return to a world you protected that isn't able to protect you. A fascinating play.

View all 5 recommendations
There is the possibility of Sue being double cast with Agnes, but not necessary by any means. And my preference is for them to be two different actors, and Sue be an actor of Color.

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Available Light Theatre - Ohio, Year 2015
  • Type Reading, Organization Babes With Blades Theater - Chicago - Fighting Words Series, Year 2015
  • Type Reading, Organization Ohio State University - Cost of War Confernce, Year 2015
  • Type Workshop, Organization Ohio University - Seabury Quinn Festival, Year 2014
  • Type Reading, Organization NYC - Chuck Smith- Director, Year 2014