←Recommendations of Make Way

MAKE WAY is disturbingly sad as we watch such literary classics being burnt before our eyes and removed from history and existence. The writer paints this scene in a strangely relaxed way, which makes the whole idea even more sad. I couldn't help but imagine young Liesel, The Book Thief lurking in the shadows waiting for them to finish their shift. Can this horrible piece of history be allowed to repeat itself? I hope not.

[I just read MAKE WAY in Canyon Voices Literary and Art magazine.]

A campfire has never been less cozy. Osmundsen creates a casual nightmare of a world: a combination of Cambodia’s Year Zero, Fahrenheit 451, and a night at the beach. An indictment of oppression wrought and perpetuated by ignorance, MAKE WAY celebrates creativity, literature, history, and imagination by placing them in mortal peril. The characters all have humanity despite the insidiousness of their task. The tension is as high as their price for noncompliance. Eternally timely, the play is a call for vigilance that must be maintained.

A well-framed tale examining the nature and value of knowledge, lessons learned as well as those we fail to absorb, and the conundrum of the various different sides of human nature.

Haunting and very timely play about the destruction of, and struggle for salvation of, truth and ideas. Terrific work.

Very timely, not just for the present times, but for all times. Burn history so then we can ignorantly repeat it. Smart dialogue among the three interesting characters.

Yes, sometimes we just need to talk (or write) about fascism in any of its various manifestations. In this tightly constructed piece, Osmundsen brings the encroachment of fascism down to the most basic level of three people negotiating a new reality that they've been told is for the good of everyone. Terrifying and sad, enlivened with Osmundsen's always skillfully wrought dialogue.

Profoundly disturbing, and written in a matter-of-fact way that underlines how chilling this world is, despite the roaring fire at the center of the play. For that fire exists to burn books, which is to burn both knowledge and cherished memories. A truly heartbreaking, harrowing, and unfortunately necessary work, one of Osmundsen’s bleakest, and best.

When reading “Make Way,” I couldn’t help to think of Ray Bradbury’s “Farenheight 451.” Osmundsen creates a grayscale, dystopian world with his nameless characters, and shows the importance of literature and freedom of speech. Osmundsen’s voice is as enjoyable as it is important. A very poignant piece.

I saw a reading of this play at the Midwest Dramatists Conference and was immediately sucked into the bleak dystopia of it all. Still, even amid big questions of freedom of speech and what artifacts of the past are worth holding onto, Dave has crafted uniquely defined and relatable characters. (It’s oddly reassuring that, even after the apocalypse, we’ll still be dealing with f*ckboys who won’t text us back.) I can’t wait see where Dave takes this pieces and these characters in the future!

A fascinating and human take on a "burning books" dystopia. While not a new concept it does offer new perspectives and moments of truth that aren't present in a more politically driven "Farenheit 451"-type story.

Osmundsen has teased expanding this world into a longer piece and I hope he does. Either way, this is a short you won't want to miss.