The Shadowlands

by Ashley Griffin

"If Lewis Carroll wrote Angels in America."

An explosively compelling new play, THE SHADOWLANDS begins the day after the Orlando shooting, and follows Matt – a visionary, grief stricken young man whose attempts to rectify the wrongs done to him cause his life to intersect with three groups of extremists: a collection of right wing conservative politicians, a liberal who goes off the deep end and an underground...

"If Lewis Carroll wrote Angels in America."

An explosively compelling new play, THE SHADOWLANDS begins the day after the Orlando shooting, and follows Matt – a visionary, grief stricken young man whose attempts to rectify the wrongs done to him cause his life to intersect with three groups of extremists: a collection of right wing conservative politicians, a liberal who goes off the deep end and an underground terrorist collective, with his encounters and subsequent decisions putting the fate of his soul, and indeed the entire world at stake. Incorporating elements of magical realism, this controversial new play explores what it means to be a human being living in our current political and cultural climate.
​
Developed with input and dramaturgical collaboration from: MPAC (Muslim Public Affairs Council,) Vaneh Assadourian, Omar Madkour, Eddie Gutierrez, Zoe Rose Briskey, Malcolm Stephenson and South Side Stage.

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The Shadowlands

Recommended by

  • Kitchen Dog Theater: The Shadowlands by Ashley Griffin
    “

    We are pleased to support this play! It was a Finalist for the 2018 New Works Festival at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, Texas.

    We are pleased to support this play! It was a Finalist for the 2018 New Works Festival at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, Texas.

    ”

Character Information

NOTE: The “G” characters (The Gentleman, The Grandfather, The Guard, The Guide, The Gloriosis and The Girl) are all the same being, they just appear in different guises depending on who they’re talking to. All have personally experienced every scene in which any of the others appear. Perhaps something in their costuming links them, despite their overt differences. Once Cassandra gives The Gentleman the pendant every “G” character that appears after wears the pendant as well.
  • Cassandra Arroway et al
    The Prophet
    Late 20's
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Matt Turner et al
    The Visionary
    30's
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Ishmael et al
    The Orator

    Must speak Arabic
    Late 20's - Early 30's
    Middle Eastern
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Safa et al
    The Maiden

    Must speak Arabic and Spanish
    About 14
    Middle Eastern
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Julian Wynter et al
    The Moralist
    50's
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Reading, THML Theater Company and The Players Theater, 2017