I had the privilege to see this play develop from a first draft to a production. Each time I revisit the world of Absentia, I realize a new level on which Matthews is operating. By focusing on a young Black woman, the narrative subverts the standard abduction stories that focus on White women. The story also explores the role of storytelling in Southern African-American culture, the definition of motherhood, and how trauma reverberates throughout a family. Using Robyn the Rabbit and shadow play, Matthews crafts psychological suspense, further drawing the audience into Esther's story. I cannot...
I had the privilege to see this play develop from a first draft to a production. Each time I revisit the world of Absentia, I realize a new level on which Matthews is operating. By focusing on a young Black woman, the narrative subverts the standard abduction stories that focus on White women. The story also explores the role of storytelling in Southern African-American culture, the definition of motherhood, and how trauma reverberates throughout a family. Using Robyn the Rabbit and shadow play, Matthews crafts psychological suspense, further drawing the audience into Esther's story. I cannot recommend this play enough.