soft target

by Emily Kaczmarek

Something bad has happened to 9-year-old Amanda, and her toys— stuffed penguin Jonah; American Girl Doll Molly; trusted Diary; and newcomer Ugly, a weighted “emotional support” bunny— find their once-peaceful world thrown into darkness and chaos. A play about childhood, guns, and all the wounds we can’t see.

Something bad has happened to 9-year-old Amanda, and her toys— stuffed penguin Jonah; American Girl Doll Molly; trusted Diary; and newcomer Ugly, a weighted “emotional support” bunny— find their once-peaceful world thrown into darkness and chaos. A play about childhood, guns, and all the wounds we can’t see.

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soft target

Recommended by

  • Karen Saari: soft target by Emily Kaczmarek
    “

    This is a stunning play. It gives an up close look at the effects violence and complicity have on all of us, especially our kids. This powerful piece deserves every accolade and production it gets.

    This is a stunning play. It gives an up close look at the effects violence and complicity have on all of us, especially our kids. This powerful piece deserves every accolade and production it gets.

    ”
  • John Medlin: soft target by Emily Kaczmarek
    “

    Goodness what a fantastic play. I can just imagine what it would be like seeing this on stage. Reading it alone had me in tears. The premise is fantastic and inventive. This play needs to be seen and read by people. I know I'll be recommending it for anyone looking for a good read.

    Goodness what a fantastic play. I can just imagine what it would be like seeing this on stage. Reading it alone had me in tears. The premise is fantastic and inventive. This play needs to be seen and read by people. I know I'll be recommending it for anyone looking for a good read.

    ”
  • Nina Mansfield: soft target by Emily Kaczmarek
    “

    I just read this play last night (in the winter American Theatre magazine), and it is stunning and heartbreaking. So beautiful and gut wrenching. I was in tears much of the time. This is an important play.

    I just read this play last night (in the winter American Theatre magazine), and it is stunning and heartbreaking. So beautiful and gut wrenching. I was in tears much of the time. This is an important play.

    ”
View all 5 recommendations

Development History

  • Residency, SPACE on Ryder Farm, 2018