Honey Bee Baby

by Erlina Ortiz

Melisa is a kind-hearted follower of rules. She desperately wants a child, if only she could pass the government mandated test that will allow her to do it. Young Clarisa knows nothing except the perfectly curated life her parents have carved for her in their fortified underground mansion. She too has a test to pass, if only she could focus, follow, listen; the way Mother wants her to. In Erlina Ortiz’s magical...

Melisa is a kind-hearted follower of rules. She desperately wants a child, if only she could pass the government mandated test that will allow her to do it. Young Clarisa knows nothing except the perfectly curated life her parents have carved for her in their fortified underground mansion. She too has a test to pass, if only she could focus, follow, listen; the way Mother wants her to. In Erlina Ortiz’s magical Honey Bee Baby, the bees are gone, the resources are scarce, and every one must earn their place in this world where the lines between right and wrong are blurred with blood

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Honey Bee Baby

Recommended by

  • Jeremy Gable: Honey Bee Baby by Erlina Ortiz
    “

    This is a piece that just gets more relevant with each passing year. With an Octavia Butler-like prescience, Erlina has crafted a terrifying and believable world that builds to one of the most terrifying climaxes I've read in a very long time. I really hope I can see this one on stage.

    This is a piece that just gets more relevant with each passing year. With an Octavia Butler-like prescience, Erlina has crafted a terrifying and believable world that builds to one of the most terrifying climaxes I've read in a very long time. I really hope I can see this one on stage.

    ”
  • Claire de Vries: Honey Bee Baby by Erlina Ortiz
    “

    Honey Bee Baby reveals a possible pending future if we continue to overlook the damaging effects of climate change. Set in a dystopian future where overpopulation has destroyed the Earth, citizens are forced to relinquish their rights under the pretense that it will help to recover the environment. This world tries to enforce perfection and eliminate human error. Only government-approved children are born and those who are not are quickly destroyed. Ortiz highlights what happens if we as a society play into the ideas of conformity, and shows the importance of the right to choose.

    Honey Bee Baby reveals a possible pending future if we continue to overlook the damaging effects of climate change. Set in a dystopian future where overpopulation has destroyed the Earth, citizens are forced to relinquish their rights under the pretense that it will help to recover the environment. This world tries to enforce perfection and eliminate human error. Only government-approved children are born and those who are not are quickly destroyed. Ortiz highlights what happens if we as a society play into the ideas of conformity, and shows the importance of the right to choose.

    ”
  • elena ester: Honey Bee Baby by Erlina Ortiz
    “

    This play is eerily relevant and I could not put it down as it immediately drew me in for the wild ride until the end. The scary thing about this play is that it COULD happen and it IS starting to happen. What a visionary! Let's hope that reading this play will leave us more prepared to not give away our rights to quickly in the name of "safety." Thank you for your work!

    This play is eerily relevant and I could not put it down as it immediately drew me in for the wild ride until the end. The scary thing about this play is that it COULD happen and it IS starting to happen. What a visionary! Let's hope that reading this play will leave us more prepared to not give away our rights to quickly in the name of "safety." Thank you for your work!

    ”
View all 6 recommendations

Development History

  • Workshop, Rivendell Theatre, 2023
  • Reading, The Foundry @ Playpenn , 2019
  • Workshop, The Foundry @ PlayPenn , 2018
  • Workshop, New Pages at Azuka Theatre , 2018