←Recommendations of you do not look

You Do Not Look is powerful play, smartly executed by Callan Stout. I caught a workshop production of this well crafted play some time ago and reading it stirred up the same pool of emotions. Stout’s story is eerie and unsettling at times yet fun and introspective. I loved it.

A beautiful, haunting play about trauma and the ways that human connection can overcome. The play starts out feeling like a regular ghost story but blossoms into an inspiring story of the power of hope even in the face of despair. It's funny, spooky, challenging and ultimately deeply moving. An absolute pleasure to read.

A beautiful, offbeat, and at times unsettling story about how trauma haunts. Stout explores the abuse and mistreatment of women at the hands of human traffickers, and the ways these women fight to escape, pick themselves up, and reinvent their lives. In Gerda we have a compelling rock of a protagonist who is impossible not to root for throughout. Despite the heavy subject matter, this play is written with nuance and a gentle hand. The transitions, double-casting, and haunting visual landscape also make it a uniquely theatrical piece. I would love to see this on its feet!

I saw a workshop production of this play a few years ago, and I still think about it. This poignant play closely examines the relationship of different women, both American and immigrants, struggling to make their way in the world and searching for belonging, love, and compassion. Quirky, beautiful, and strange, I look forward to seeing this play's future!

What I love about you do not look is the way Stout has written a play of violence and healing that makes room for small gestures and humor both high and low. She's painted the world in a kind of fog, where painful absences are hard to distinguish from "the way things are" and forgotten women feed on gas station ramen in sad hotel rooms, where ghosts walk arm in arm with implacable encyclopedia saleswomen. I saw a beautiful workshop production a couple years ago and look forward to this play's future!

A unique look at the intertwining stories of two women who have immigrated to America and two teenage American girls. They should have nothing in common, but their stories show that violence against women and girls knows no borders. A play, beautifully rendered, I would love to see this work developed further.

This is a beautiful, funny, enlightening play about trauma and living. Callan wraps up a story of trauma within a haunting ghost story.

Had the honor of seeing this play throughout its development - a haunting, beautiful, and often very funny dive into one woman's journey to discovering her purpose.