Ghosts of Bogotá

by Diana Burbano

Diana Burbano’s GHOSTS OF BOGOTÁ is the story of three siblings, now late 20s to late 30s, who return to their parents’ birth country when their grandfather dies. GHOSTS is a universal story about family secrets, told through a very specific Latinx lens, and a story about that unique immigrant experience of never feeling fully at home in any country that can claim you.

Diana Burbano’s GHOSTS OF BOGOTÁ is the story of three siblings, now late 20s to late 30s, who return to their parents’ birth country when their grandfather dies. GHOSTS is a universal story about family secrets, told through a very specific Latinx lens, and a story about that unique immigrant experience of never feeling fully at home in any country that can claim you.

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Ghosts of Bogotá

Recommended by

  • Alicia Margarita Olivo: Ghosts of Bogotá by Diana Burbano
    “

    Simultaneously heartbreaking and gleeful, Ghosts of Bogotá is the play I wish I could’ve been able to read when I was younger. There is so much thematic material packed into this piece, and it never skips a step in telling a complex story about healing. I can’t wait for the day I get to watch this on a stage.

    Simultaneously heartbreaking and gleeful, Ghosts of Bogotá is the play I wish I could’ve been able to read when I was younger. There is so much thematic material packed into this piece, and it never skips a step in telling a complex story about healing. I can’t wait for the day I get to watch this on a stage.

    ”
  • Rachel Luann Strayer: Ghosts of Bogotá by Diana Burbano
    “

    A challenging, thought-provoking piece that deals not only with the repercussions of abuse, but with the question of what we inherit from those who came before. Surprisingly funny, but also tender, lyrical and moving.

    A challenging, thought-provoking piece that deals not only with the repercussions of abuse, but with the question of what we inherit from those who came before. Surprisingly funny, but also tender, lyrical and moving.

    ”
  • Kara Q. Lewis: Ghosts of Bogotá by Diana Burbano
    “

    This play was an adventure. A world within worlds. The characters felt close to home - the sisters' banter was especially relatable. Their story took me someplace new, with a language and culture I got to observe and absorb. It dealt with such serious, painful topics with straight truth, honest anger, and a surreal alternate reality that felt like the world that trauma creates around you. (In a funny moment, one line made me feel an inside joke with myself as a reader: “I don’t think there has ever been a truly hot priest.“ Must've been written pre-Fleabag ;)

    This play was an adventure. A world within worlds. The characters felt close to home - the sisters' banter was especially relatable. Their story took me someplace new, with a language and culture I got to observe and absorb. It dealt with such serious, painful topics with straight truth, honest anger, and a surreal alternate reality that felt like the world that trauma creates around you. (In a funny moment, one line made me feel an inside joke with myself as a reader: “I don’t think there has ever been a truly hot priest.“ Must've been written pre-Fleabag ;)

    ”
View all 11 recommendations

Character Information

  • Bruno
    Youngest sibling. Hip, maybe TOO hip, very little Spanish.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Nena
    Their grandmother's ghost. Funny, Bubbly. Can double Teresa.
    Latinx,
    Colombian
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Teresa
    The young woman who cared for Saúl. Smart. Manipulative. Speaks Spanish. Can double Nena
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Jesus
    A creepy Jesus head in a jar. Can double Saúl.
  • Saúl
    The ghost of the dead man
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Lola
    Eldest sibling. Eldest sibling. Dramatic, overbearing, annoying. Successful TV showrunner. Not into sympathy.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Sandy
    Middle sibling. No nonsense, practical, brutally honest, but has a very squishy center
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Commission, Alter Theatre AlterLab, 2019
  • Reading, nuVoices at Actors Theatre of Charlotte, 2019

Production History

Awards

  • Rella Lossy
    Bay Area Theatre Conference
    Winner
    2019