Drift

by Patrick Gabridge

The lives of very different farming families intertwine after a deadly pesticide accident. As two wives find themselves caught between holding on to what was lost and moving forward, Drift finds dark poetry in how we relate to the land around us and how we grow food in contemporary America.

The lives of very different farming families intertwine after a deadly pesticide accident. As two wives find themselves caught between holding on to what was lost and moving forward, Drift finds dark poetry in how we relate to the land around us and how we grow food in contemporary America.

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Drift

Recommended by

  • Talya Kingston: Drift by Patrick Gabridge
    “

    A brilliant poetic depiction of grief as mirrored in the rhythms of farming life. Throughout a season we see the strength it takes a family to survive in a new community that doesn't accept them. Haunting.

    A brilliant poetic depiction of grief as mirrored in the rhythms of farming life. Throughout a season we see the strength it takes a family to survive in a new community that doesn't accept them. Haunting.

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: Drift by Patrick Gabridge
    “

    A moving glimpse into the lives of the Americans who farm our land and are struggling with grief as well as the next steps forward. Powerful and definitely will leave it's mark.

    A moving glimpse into the lives of the Americans who farm our land and are struggling with grief as well as the next steps forward. Powerful and definitely will leave it's mark.

    ”
  • Debbie Lamedman: Drift by Patrick Gabridge
    “

    This play is beautiful, poetic, and heartbreaking. Gabridge takes us by the hand and leads us into the depths of this family’s grief. The story unfolds in a succinct and theatrical way, allowing all our senses to fully come alive. We experience each distinct season on the farm and get caught up in the tragedy of this broken, grieving family and the dilemma of how to grow sustainable produce. Fantastic roles for four strong actors!

    This play is beautiful, poetic, and heartbreaking. Gabridge takes us by the hand and leads us into the depths of this family’s grief. The story unfolds in a succinct and theatrical way, allowing all our senses to fully come alive. We experience each distinct season on the farm and get caught up in the tragedy of this broken, grieving family and the dilemma of how to grow sustainable produce. Fantastic roles for four strong actors!

    ”
View all 8 recommendations

Character Information

MOLLY BENZA. 55. White.

JAMAL BENZA. 23. Black.

CALLIE BENZA. 25. Multi-racial in background–a woman of color, but perhaps not easily pigeon-holed into a standard American racial category.

NORA DAVIDSON. 58. White.
  • Molly Benza
    A relatively new but enthusiastic and committed organic farmer (very small scale farm). Mother to
    Jamal and Callie. Was married to Jane, who is now dead, from Clomazone poisoning. She often wears a harvest knife on her belt and always dresses in her farm clothes.
    55
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Jamal Benza
    Molly and Jane's adoptive son. Black. A
    cameraman/videographer. Not interested in farming.
    23
    African American/Black
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Callie Benza
    Molly and Jane's adoptive daughter. Very multi-racial in background--a woman of color, but perhaps not
    easily pigeon-holed into a standard American racial category. A graduate student, avid gardener, and possible future farmer.
    25
    BIPOC
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      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
  • Nora Davidson
    Long-time resident of this town. Was married to part-time farmer John for 36 years, before he died in a pesticide exposure accident. Works in town--she's not a farmer.
    58
    White
    Cis female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman

Development History

  • Reading, Royal Pain Shakespeare, 2019
  • Reading, Munroe Center for the Arts, Lexington, MA, 2018
  • Workshop, Seven Devils Playwrights Conference, 2017
  • Workshop, Huntington Theatre Company, 2016