They Could Give No Name

by Exal Iraheta

Somewhere in the southern end of Arizona, medical examiner Nellie Ramirez descends into near-madness when her fiancé, a border patrol agent, accidentally kills a young immigrant girl. In order to save her future family, Nellie must make a decision that threatens to tear her life apart. Little does she know that soon the desert will come to collect what is due to it. This macabre, magical play takes an unsettling...

Somewhere in the southern end of Arizona, medical examiner Nellie Ramirez descends into near-madness when her fiancé, a border patrol agent, accidentally kills a young immigrant girl. In order to save her future family, Nellie must make a decision that threatens to tear her life apart. Little does she know that soon the desert will come to collect what is due to it. This macabre, magical play takes an unsettling look at the complexities of identity, cruelty of immigration, and the power behind a name.

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They Could Give No Name

Recommended by

  • Eugene O'Neill Theater Center: They Could Give No Name

    It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Exal Iraheta and their play They Could Give No Name as a finalist for our 2020 National Playwrights Conference. This particular work emerged from a highly competitive, anonymous, and multi-tiered selection process to become one of 63 finalists out of more than 1,500 submissions. This enthralling piece galvanized the hearts and theatrical imaginations of our reading teams and is fully championed by our offices. We are honored to put our enthusiastic support behind this writer and their ongoing contributions to the American Theater.

    It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Exal Iraheta and their play They Could Give No Name as a finalist for our 2020 National Playwrights Conference. This particular work emerged from a highly competitive, anonymous, and multi-tiered selection process to become one of 63 finalists out of more than 1,500 submissions. This enthralling piece galvanized the hearts and theatrical imaginations of our reading teams and is fully championed by our offices. We are honored to put our enthusiastic support behind this writer and their ongoing contributions to the American Theater.

  • Nick Malakhow: They Could Give No Name

    This is a haunting and powerful play about identity, immigration, grief, and family. I so appreciated the cross section of people represented in this play, particularly the distinct ways Nellie, Terry, Ana, and Victoria navigated their Latinx identities within themselves and around one another. Araceli was a haunting presence and her arrival prompted some of the most potent surprises. Not to be left out, Nick was intriguing as well, and his arc satisfying and complex. I also love the visual/aural world Iraheta creates here. It is uniquely theatrical and I would love to see it realized onstage...

    This is a haunting and powerful play about identity, immigration, grief, and family. I so appreciated the cross section of people represented in this play, particularly the distinct ways Nellie, Terry, Ana, and Victoria navigated their Latinx identities within themselves and around one another. Araceli was a haunting presence and her arrival prompted some of the most potent surprises. Not to be left out, Nick was intriguing as well, and his arc satisfying and complex. I also love the visual/aural world Iraheta creates here. It is uniquely theatrical and I would love to see it realized onstage soon!

  • Cassandra Rose: They Could Give No Name

    This play is an excellent example of magical realism. In an insane world, all that's left is the monstrous. When all that remains of a person is their remains, how do we stay true to ourselves?

    This play is an excellent example of magical realism. In an insane world, all that's left is the monstrous. When all that remains of a person is their remains, how do we stay true to ourselves?

View all 5 recommendations

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Northwestern University MFA Writing for the Screen & Stage, Collaboration Festival , Year 2019
  • Type Reading, Organization Victory Gardens Ignition Festival of New Plays, Year 2019

Awards

  • Kernodle New Play Award
    University of Arkansas Department of Theatre
    Finalist
    2020
  • Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting
    Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE)
    Finalist
    2020
  • National Playwrights Conference
    The O’Neill
    Finalist
    2020
  • Relentless Award
    The American Playwriting Foundation
    Honorable Mention
    2019