←Recommendations of oh to be pure again

It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Kira Rockwell and their play Oh, to Be Pure Again 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.

Rockwell's unleashed a surprising and subtle gut punch with her incredible cast of characters. Her voice, form and reckoning with the material at hand deftly dazzles. Actors shine in these roles, and the clarity of demand- for women in solidarity with women- for a new definition of empowerment and intimacy and holiness- conjures a haunting hope. I can't wait for more of Rockwell and this play!

After seeing a reading of an early draft, I am floored as I read this updated version! What a beautiful and potent examination of faith, organized religion, how society commodifies women's bodies and virginity, and spaces where folks are able to rebel and ways those spaces are invaded by the oppressor in subtle ways. In lyrical and gorgeously irregular/natural scenes, Rockwell tackles the above themes through powerful and captivating young women. She writes teens so astutely, and always has an eye on her characters' intersectional identities. I hope to see this continually developed and produced soon!

At a time where so much is being said as we reflect on the harm done by the Church’s obsession with shame-based sexual purity, this play adds a story that gives no easy answers. It doesn’t ridicule Christianity and none of these characters are stereotypical in any way. The young women in this play are giving the chance to question and wrestle with what they believe. This play is a gripping character study with an ending that signals destruction and the beauty of creating something new.

Through complex, strongly formed young women, this play tackles topics of religion, purity, agency, desire. It balances the funny with the deeply emotional, always staying true to the young women at its core. I had the honor of working on this piece at the Kennedy Center, and I am glad to say that it has changed me. Now I cannot wait for it to grow and change many others in its wake.