←Recommendations of Drowning Ophelia

I LOVED reading this. Strayer's play is brutal, yet delicate, and theatrically enthralling as Jane and Ophelia both struggle to articulate anguish that cannot be put into words or song. The whole piece results in a mind-bending, intricate puzzle of trauma and grief, a brilliant metaphor for what it feels like mentally to try and unpack and acknowledge the hurt caused by our wrongdoers. Such fun design opportunities here, as well! I would love so much to see this on its feet.

A powerful, moving, funny, theatrical piece that examines trauma and sexual abuse in a way that only theater can. The figure in the tub is a direct, potent, and inventive extended metaphor for Jane's processing of her trauma, and the way the piece winds back and forth through time and space builds tension and suspense. From a designer's, actor's, and director's perspective, there is so much to do here! Even as she weaves a wholly new contemporary story, Strayer also manages to unpack the legacy of what Shakespeare and history/interpretation have done to Ophelia as well.

A devastating, beautifully crafted survivor's tale that weaves skilfully between memory and imagination, between thought and action, all supported by a bratty, wilful, wise Ophelia who walks alongside Jane as she wrangles with her trauma and survivor's guilt. Brilliantly intense and thoughtful, this play brings the trauma of survival to the fore and offers no easy answers or resolutions. Wonderful work.

Strayer's "Drowning Ophelia" is a survivor's tale, of a woman's journey to rise above the brokenness and betrayal one feels when abused by a beloved family member, one whose departure makes confrontation impossible. Ophelia never had the opportunity to confront her abuser, and so Hamlet gets to move forward feeling as though he got something wrong and feel bad about it. Strayer's protagonist also grapples to attain peace through action, fighting madness, and we're left to hope that she some day will. It is a strong narrative, poetically rendered, and I would be thrilled to one day experience a production.

I had the privilege of directing Drowning Ophelia as my first production in my MFA program. This play does a wonderful job at examining what life is like for victims after abuse and how we cope (or don't). The inclusion of the character Ophelia serves as a compelling foil to Jane. Edmund brings in some much appreciated kindness and comic relief. And Adam...a true actor's challenge. There is a lot of opportunity for technical elements, this play offers so much room for creativity. A truly powerful experience for all.

In turns funny and devastating, the play weaves in Shakespeare's language with contemporary dialogue for a surprising and emotional experience. Strayer peppers smart hints throughout, but the twist near the end is still a gut-punch.

A satisfying and fun, theatrical play about how Jane can't deal with the death of her brother. I love that Strayer has a light hand with the tone and the language so there's never too much, and we can only understand through the slanted way she shows us with costume and spectacle and Ophelia herself in the bathtub!