You Have To Promise

by Audrey Lang

Seventeen-year-olds Maeve and Nessa have been best friends their entire lives. Three months ago, they discovered what they had was more than a friendship. When they decide to come out to their families together, Nessa's father kicks her out and the girls scramble to come up with a solution, all the while lying to Maeve's stepmother Rachael and trying to dream their way to being grown-up.

Seventeen-year-olds Maeve and Nessa have been best friends their entire lives. Three months ago, they discovered what they had was more than a friendship. When they decide to come out to their families together, Nessa's father kicks her out and the girls scramble to come up with a solution, all the while lying to Maeve's stepmother Rachael and trying to dream their way to being grown-up.

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You Have To Promise

Recommended by

  • Rose T.M.: You Have To Promise

    This is a gut-wrenching, earnest love story with powerful representations of both queer youth and the allies who stand by them. As the story progresses, Lang cleverly doubles down on her characters' most frustrating traits, as they build walls to divide themselves instead of reaching out for help; tension is built until the dam breaks, and when one character finally extends a hand to the other, our whole hearts pour out for them.

    This is a gut-wrenching, earnest love story with powerful representations of both queer youth and the allies who stand by them. As the story progresses, Lang cleverly doubles down on her characters' most frustrating traits, as they build walls to divide themselves instead of reaching out for help; tension is built until the dam breaks, and when one character finally extends a hand to the other, our whole hearts pour out for them.

  • Jeff Perlman: You Have To Promise

    Beautifully written

    Beautifully written

  • Alyssa Haddad-Chin: You Have To Promise

    A beautifully written, stunning and honest depiction of coming of age and love. I was absolutely captivated through the entire read.

    A beautifully written, stunning and honest depiction of coming of age and love. I was absolutely captivated through the entire read.

View all 12 recommendations

Character Information

  • Rachael
    Maeve's stepmother and Darcy's mother.
    Character Age
    late 30s to mid 40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any race / ethnicity
    Character Gender Identity
    Female-identifying
  • Darcy
    Maeve's half-sister.
    Character Age
    8
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any race / ethnicity
    Character Gender Identity
    Female-identifying
  • Maeve
    Character Age
    17
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any race / ethnicity
    Character Gender Identity
    Female-identifying
  • Nessa
    Maeve's best friend and more recently, girlfriend.
    Character Age
    17
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Cuban-American
    Character Gender Identity
    Female-identifying

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization PRIDE PLAYS, Dir. Jenna Worsham, Year 2020
  • Type Reading, Organization Actors’ Rep New Works Nite, Year 2020
  • Type Reading, Organization New York City, Dir. Rachael Langton, Year 2018
  • Type Workshop, Organization Ithaca College, Dir. Rachael Langton, Year 2018
  • Type Reading, Organization Ithaca College, Dir. Rachael Langton, Year 2017

Awards

  • Bloom: A Collection of New Queer Voices
    Stay True Theatre Company
    Finalist
    2021
  • Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting Award
    Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE)
    Finalist
    2021
  • 21st Century Voices New Play Festival
    American Stage Theatre Company
    Finalist
    2020