American Girl

by Mikki Gillette

Based on the tragic, true story of Nikki Kuhnhausen, a 17 year-old transgender girl who was killed in a violent hate crime, American Girl dramatizes Nikki's turbulent family life and the forces and events that led to her death. Based on interviews with Nikki's family and friends, the play tells an all-too modern American story of addiction, homelessness, domestic abuse, sex work and murder.

Based on the tragic, true story of Nikki Kuhnhausen, a 17 year-old transgender girl who was killed in a violent hate crime, American Girl dramatizes Nikki's turbulent family life and the forces and events that led to her death. Based on interviews with Nikki's family and friends, the play tells an all-too modern American story of addiction, homelessness, domestic abuse, sex work and murder.

  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

American Girl

Recommended by

  • Playwrights Foundation: American Girl

    The community of National Committee readers for the 46th Bay Area Playwrights Festival advanced AMERICAN GIRL as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation. We were deeply moved in this story of cyclical trauma and betrayal by the way characters were handled, especially Nikki's vibrant energy, her dreams, her deep desire to take care of her family even though they ultimately let her down. We were compelled by the realistic depiction of addiction, and the handling of nuanced portrayal of sex work. We hope this play is considered for further development and investigation, and finds dedicated...

    The community of National Committee readers for the 46th Bay Area Playwrights Festival advanced AMERICAN GIRL as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation. We were deeply moved in this story of cyclical trauma and betrayal by the way characters were handled, especially Nikki's vibrant energy, her dreams, her deep desire to take care of her family even though they ultimately let her down. We were compelled by the realistic depiction of addiction, and the handling of nuanced portrayal of sex work. We hope this play is considered for further development and investigation, and finds dedicated collaborators for further productions. #BAPF46

Development History

Production History

Awards

  • Best Play
    Bay Area Playwrights Festival
    Semi-Finalist
    2023