Brown Face

by Carissa Atallah

Gracia is a Chicana writer and DREAMer. In order to draw attention to her work but not her undocumented status, Gracia convinces her white and US-born best friend Mariza to perform her poetry. When Gracia’s words launch Mariza into gaining a following as a Latinx artist and activist, their friendship is tested by issues of privilege and cultural appropriation. Part play, part poetry slam, “Brown Face” follows a...

Gracia is a Chicana writer and DREAMer. In order to draw attention to her work but not her undocumented status, Gracia convinces her white and US-born best friend Mariza to perform her poetry. When Gracia’s words launch Mariza into gaining a following as a Latinx artist and activist, their friendship is tested by issues of privilege and cultural appropriation. Part play, part poetry slam, “Brown Face” follows a group of college students as they navigate their identities in the competitive world of spoken word poetry. Available: https://www.concordtheatricals.com/s/95098/brown-face

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Brown Face

Recommended by

  • Gabriella Bonamici: Brown Face by Carissa Atallah
    “

    Carissa Atallah explores identity, privilege, and authenticity in this witty and thought-provoking play about two college frenemies.

    Carissa Atallah explores identity, privilege, and authenticity in this witty and thought-provoking play about two college frenemies.

    ”
  • Shaun Leisher: Brown Face by Carissa Atallah
    “

    The ideas and questions that fill this play are ones that couldn't be more relevant. It's in no way didactic, though. It's a play that never chooses a side with any specific character. It actually leaves that up to the audience in a jaw-dropping final moment. Colonization and appropriation need to be discussed in all areas of our culture but especially in the theatre.

    The ideas and questions that fill this play are ones that couldn't be more relevant. It's in no way didactic, though. It's a play that never chooses a side with any specific character. It actually leaves that up to the audience in a jaw-dropping final moment. Colonization and appropriation need to be discussed in all areas of our culture but especially in the theatre.

    ”
  • Playwrights Foundation: Brown Face by Carissa Atallah
    “

    Playwrights Foundation enthusiastically recommends this play, BROWN FACE, as a Semi-Finalist for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival 2020. We were moved by the quality of the writing and the relevant and compelling themes that spoke to the mission of our festival. It excelled in a competitive process of 735 plays submitted this year and rose to the top after a six month long process discussing its merits with both national and local Bay Area readers, and we hope it moves swiftly towards production.

    Playwrights Foundation enthusiastically recommends this play, BROWN FACE, as a Semi-Finalist for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival 2020. We were moved by the quality of the writing and the relevant and compelling themes that spoke to the mission of our festival. It excelled in a competitive process of 735 plays submitted this year and rose to the top after a six month long process discussing its merits with both national and local Bay Area readers, and we hope it moves swiftly towards production.

    ”

Character Information

  • Gracia Flores
    19
    Mexican; Indigenous or Mixed-Indigenous
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Mariza Concord
    (Pronounced “Merissa”)
    19
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Alex Lechuga
    (Goes by Lechuga)
    21
    Latinx
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Xitaly Manjarrez
    Native Spanish-speaker
    22
    Mexican ; Hispanic European
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Sayda Aguilar
    22
    Afro-Latinx
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading, Playwrights' Arena, 2021
  • Workshop, University of California, Riverside , 2019
  • Reading, Latinx Play Project, 2017

Production History

  • University, Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region VIII, 2022
  • University, University of California, Riverside , 2021

Awards

  • The David Mark Cohen Playwriting Award
    Kennedy Center
    Runner Up
    2022
  • The Harold and Mimi Steinberg National Student Playwriting Award
    Kennedy Center
    Winner
    2022
  • The Future of Playwriting Prize
    The Blank Theatre
    Semi-Finalist
    2021
  • The Bay Area Playwrights Festival
    Playwrights Foundation
    Semi-Finalist
    2020