Carla Cooks The War

by Laura Maria Censabella

Carla worked with the Resistance during World War II. Antonia, her daughter, survived the war with her. As Carla struggles to overcome yet another heart attack, and Olivia, her granddaughter, struggles to care for her, she learns the truth about the cold war between her mother and beloved grandmother. A non-linear, comedy-drama about heroism, betrayals, the costs of surviving a war, gnocchi and the ephemeral...

Carla worked with the Resistance during World War II. Antonia, her daughter, survived the war with her. As Carla struggles to overcome yet another heart attack, and Olivia, her granddaughter, struggles to care for her, she learns the truth about the cold war between her mother and beloved grandmother. A non-linear, comedy-drama about heroism, betrayals, the costs of surviving a war, gnocchi and the ephemeral nature of truth. Winner of the ADAA $10,000 William Saroyan Human Rights/Social Justice Award in Playwriting.

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Carla Cooks The War

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Carla Cooks The War by Laura Maria Censabella
    “

    A gorgeous piece of writing. An incredible story of a multi-generational family of immigrant women connecting and learning the unspoken truths of motherhood and a life of survival during war. This will shake you with it's power and bring tears to your eyes. Truly wonderful.

    A gorgeous piece of writing. An incredible story of a multi-generational family of immigrant women connecting and learning the unspoken truths of motherhood and a life of survival during war. This will shake you with it's power and bring tears to your eyes. Truly wonderful.

    ”
  • Bianca Bagatourian: Carla Cooks The War by Laura Maria Censabella
    “

    We were honored to award Carla Cooks The War the winner of our William Saroyan Playwriting Contest. A gripping drama with a mixture of styles, it offers very strong roles for women. It is experimental and courageous writing, examining the after effects of war through generations that follow, both through the prism of memory and also in the here and now. The trauma of war and it’s residues are fed to us metaphorically through food, humor and a great dose of language. Highly theatrical and very produceable.

    We were honored to award Carla Cooks The War the winner of our William Saroyan Playwriting Contest. A gripping drama with a mixture of styles, it offers very strong roles for women. It is experimental and courageous writing, examining the after effects of war through generations that follow, both through the prism of memory and also in the here and now. The trauma of war and it’s residues are fed to us metaphorically through food, humor and a great dose of language. Highly theatrical and very produceable.

    ”

Character Information

The actresses play themselves at various ages. They also transform into other characters in their stories as needed in a fluid play that cuts through time and memory.
  • Olivia
    Simultaneously intelligent and clueless.
    Various ages to 40.
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Carla
    She is a force of nature. Think Anna Magnani.
    Various ages to late 70s. Cast 50s to 60s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Antonia
    Slyly funny. She uses her black humor to cope with the darkness. It helps us cope as well.
    Various ages to 60
    migrated to America in her teenage years
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Reading, Women's Work Festival, St. John's, Canada, 2020
  • Reading, Queens Theatre in the Park, New American Voices Series, 2019
  • Residency, O'Neill National Playwrights Conference & The New Harmony Project,
  • Reading, Northlight Theatre,
  • Reading, Lyric Stage Company of Boston,
  • Workshop, Pacific Resident Theatre,
  • Reading, Ensemble Studio Theatre, NYC and Los Angeles,
  • Reading, m2 Productions,
  • Workshop, Festival of Faith and Writing - Calvin College,

Awards

  • Grant in Playwriting
    New York Foundation for the Arts
    Winner
  • $10,000 William Saroyan Human Rights/Social Justice Award in Playwriting
    ADAA
    Winner
    2015