←Recommendations of What We Were

  • Cheryl Bear: What We Were by Blake Hackler
    “

    An incredibly moving exploration into the fractured family bonds following abuse and the dream for restoration. Beautifully done.

    An incredibly moving exploration into the fractured family bonds following abuse and the dream for restoration. Beautifully done.

    ”
  • Rachael Carnes: What We Were by Blake Hackler
    “

    "Have, not got." - this space between what is supposed to be, and what is, is explored with deep intelligence and a well of emotions in this unique and resonant play. Hackler's story spans decades and sets us up to see the broken and the beautiful in these characters, whose richly-detailed world shifts and bends under the weight of memory. A wonderful work, with strong roles for women. No wonder this play's so highly regarded. With its time machine leaps, this would be a rewarding and exciting challenge for a creative team. I would love to see this onstage.

    "Have, not got." - this space between what is supposed to be, and what is, is explored with deep intelligence and a well of emotions in this unique and resonant play. Hackler's story spans decades and sets us up to see the broken and the beautiful in these characters, whose richly-detailed world shifts and bends under the weight of memory. A wonderful work, with strong roles for women. No wonder this play's so highly regarded. With its time machine leaps, this would be a rewarding and exciting challenge for a creative team. I would love to see this onstage.

    ”
  • Eugene O'Neill Theater Center: What We Were by Blake Hackler
    “

    It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Blake Hackler and their play What We Were as a finalist for our 2018 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one of 53 finalists out of more than 1,4200 submissions, the strength of its writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process.

    It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Blake Hackler and their play What We Were as a finalist for our 2018 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one of 53 finalists out of more than 1,4200 submissions, the strength of its writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process.

    ”
  • Ignition Arts: What We Were by Blake Hackler
    “

    A chilling piece that seamlessly shifts from 1990-2016 and everywhere in between. This haunting play explores the familial rifts caused by sexual abuse and how three sisters cope with the trauma left in its wake. Surprising, beautiful and as wide as the Texas sky.

    A chilling piece that seamlessly shifts from 1990-2016 and everywhere in between. This haunting play explores the familial rifts caused by sexual abuse and how three sisters cope with the trauma left in its wake. Surprising, beautiful and as wide as the Texas sky.

    ”
  • Quinn Xavier Hernandez: What We Were by Blake Hackler
    “

    There is an immense strength to Blake Hackler’s dialogue that grips you from the very beginning. By pearling out information in a driving yet careful manner, What We Were has its audience wondering what’s coming next at all times. #PlaywrightPlug

    There is an immense strength to Blake Hackler’s dialogue that grips you from the very beginning. By pearling out information in a driving yet careful manner, What We Were has its audience wondering what’s coming next at all times. #PlaywrightPlug

    ”
  • Kitchen Dog Theater: What We Were by Blake Hackler
    “

    OFFICIAL SELECTION for the KITCHEN DOG THEATER 2018 NEW WORKS FESTIVAL
    This play was the winner of our 2018 Kitchen Dog Theater Dallas-Fort Worth Local Slot and received a staged reading as part of our annual festival.

    OFFICIAL SELECTION for the KITCHEN DOG THEATER 2018 NEW WORKS FESTIVAL
    This play was the winner of our 2018 Kitchen Dog Theater Dallas-Fort Worth Local Slot and received a staged reading as part of our annual festival.

    ”
  • Valerie Weak: What We Were by Blake Hackler
    “

    This is a beautiful script with deep, nuanced relationships between 3 sisters, who are shown over a 25 year span of their lives. The sexual trauma at the heart of the story is revealed slowly, but ultimately in a way that leads with truth rather than sensationalism. The transitions are spare and simple, at times accomplished by something as small as lifting a suitcase. And, there's just a teeny tease of some Dynasty #cosplay! An excellent choice for a theater seeking to put women in their 30s/40s on stage in leading roles.

    This is a beautiful script with deep, nuanced relationships between 3 sisters, who are shown over a 25 year span of their lives. The sexual trauma at the heart of the story is revealed slowly, but ultimately in a way that leads with truth rather than sensationalism. The transitions are spare and simple, at times accomplished by something as small as lifting a suitcase. And, there's just a teeny tease of some Dynasty #cosplay! An excellent choice for a theater seeking to put women in their 30s/40s on stage in leading roles.

    ”