Stroke Vagina, a Moyamoya Story

by Nilsa Reyna

A weary medical administrative assistant/actor suffers a stroke and must learn to care for herself. Stroke Vagina is a story about blockages, overcoming them and living the life you've always wanted to live...no matter how long it may be.

A weary medical administrative assistant/actor suffers a stroke and must learn to care for herself. Stroke Vagina is a story about blockages, overcoming them and living the life you've always wanted to live...no matter how long it may be.

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Stroke Vagina, a Moyamoya Story

Recommended by

  • Jaymes Sanchez: Stroke Vagina, a Moyamoya Story by Nilsa Reyna
    “

    Stroke Vagina is a raw and vulnerable, but comedic and theatrical exploration of the physical, mental, and emotional realities of health crises. Nilsa deftly portrays how illness can prompt a person to reconsider everything they thought they knew and everything they thought they wanted. This play will feel all too familiar to anyone who has ever experienced (or known someone who experienced) the compounding anxiety of being sick in America. Please bring this play to your community!

    Stroke Vagina is a raw and vulnerable, but comedic and theatrical exploration of the physical, mental, and emotional realities of health crises. Nilsa deftly portrays how illness can prompt a person to reconsider everything they thought they knew and everything they thought they wanted. This play will feel all too familiar to anyone who has ever experienced (or known someone who experienced) the compounding anxiety of being sick in America. Please bring this play to your community!

    ”
  • David Davila: Stroke Vagina, a Moyamoya Story by Nilsa Reyna
    “

    The moyamoya play that the world needs! Stroke Vagina is half stand-up comedy and half survivalist coming-of-age drama. When a young woman has a stroke for no apparent reason she is forced to suddenly examine her life choices and ask herself that unsettling question "Am I Happy?"

    The moyamoya play that the world needs! Stroke Vagina is half stand-up comedy and half survivalist coming-of-age drama. When a young woman has a stroke for no apparent reason she is forced to suddenly examine her life choices and ask herself that unsettling question "Am I Happy?"

    ”

Character Information

It was originally conceived as a solo show, but can be performed by one female identifying actor or a multi-actor cast of many ethnicities and genders, with the preference of a women+ cast of up to six actors. If produced as an ensemble show, feel free to experiment with a more devised or physical theatre style production where actors become the environment or even the brain.


  • Beckah
    Sean’s Fiancé, Newly Enlightened Yogi
    20s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Jill
    Occupational Therapist
    50s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Athletic Guy
    Triathlete
    30s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Mom
    Nilsa’s Mom, Tex-Mex Accent
    60s
    Latinx
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Amaya
    Nilsa’s Niece
    5
    Latinx
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Dad
    Nilsa’s Dad, “Gringo” Accent
    60s
    Latinx
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Nilsa
    Stroke Survivor
    30s
    Latinx
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Clara
    Nilsa’s Sister
    20s
    Latinx
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Dr. Gallo
    Nephrologist, Modified Barcelona Accent
    60s
    Spanish
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
  • Evyn
    Nilsa’s Partner
    40s
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Elaine
    MRI Radiographer
    40s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Dr. Thompson
    Neurologist, British accent
    50s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Dr. Martinez
    Neurologist
    40s
    Latinx
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Dr. Steinberg
    Chair of Neurosurgery, Director of the Stanford Moyamoya Center, and the Founder and Co-Director of the Stanford Stroke Center
    60s
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Sean
    Nilsa’s Estranged Husband, Commercial Banker
    30s
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Reading, Daughters of Troy, 2019
  • Workshop, The Field, 2018
  • Reading, Rising Sun/Governor’s Island, 2017
  • Reading, Monarch Theatre, 2015
  • Workshop, Lone Star Theatre Co., 2015