←Recommendations of Songbird

This piece tricks you into believing in its clear-eyed Realism, but quickly surprises with inventive, theatrical twists on time, space, memory, and power.

A very beautiful piece, it gave me the power to deal with traumatized, and how people get out of traumatizing by helping each other, by standing out for each other. I typically like the relationship between Jess and the little boy and how they saved each other, and wish the world has less violence but more hope. Also I want to hear the music or maybe see a live production.

A beautiful piece. Strayer remains focused and intentional in her exploration of topics of abuse, highlighting the simultaneous difficulty and importance of speaking out. I love the musicality of her language, from the lyrics of the song to the specificity of Jess' stage direction. A great read that I would love to see performed!

Absolutely beautiful! Strayer highlighted how much we take for granted both our own voices and the words of those around us. Music has so much power and the poetry of the lyrics were artful.

There is music in silence. This piece highlights that duality - the beauty and life of music and the pain of what is left unsaid. Themes of trauma and abuse are tackled with grace and real humanity. It's got a few really good, hard, dramatic punches that really land. Boy, do they land. Strayer really has a home run on her hands here.

I love the way that Strayer weaves back and forth through time. These shifts structure the play, keep the tension high, and elegantly reveal the truth behind Jess' selective mutism. All of the characters are well-defined and sympathetic. I rooted for both Brit and Jess even as they bristled against one another. An 11th hour betrayal hits hard and potently motivates Jess' response to trauma. While Strayer tackles weighty issues like abuse, assault, and trauma, there is a great deal of hope and humor in this piece to keep it human. Lastly, the songs are absolutely beautiful!

So many layers of me, too, child abuse, and silence. Silence as protection, silence as a weapon. Quick moving, honest, and searing, there is a lot to be uncovered here. A song can be more honest than a confession. A song heightens a reality. A song can tell a truth. A song heightens reality. And one must choose the words of a song carefully. A poignant look at coping when your world is shattered.

A beautifully written piece that finds the conflict in and power of silence. Intricately layered and nuanced with very strong roles for women. The mystery that lies behind Jess' silence keeps the audience invested as does the emotional connection between sisters, friends, and strangers as well.