Fire and Ice

by Emily Russell

When an American human rights researcher meets an Icelandic local in a geothermal hotspring, the two must decide whether to take a plunge: into the cold, the unknown, and the unlikely.

When an American human rights researcher meets an Icelandic local in a geothermal hotspring, the two must decide whether to take a plunge: into the cold, the unknown, and the unlikely.

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Fire and Ice

Recommended by

  • Chelsea Frandsen: Fire and Ice by Emily Russell
    “

    Emily Russell has a gift for language, and she is able to pack so much into this short piece. Ella's transformation from her interaction with Ilmu is fascinating, poetic and heartfelt.

    Emily Russell has a gift for language, and she is able to pack so much into this short piece. Ella's transformation from her interaction with Ilmu is fascinating, poetic and heartfelt.

    ”
  • John Mabey: Fire and Ice by Emily Russell
    “

    I watched this play as part of an online play series and it was so gripping and well-written. The explorations of what it means to be from a place and the ways in which we do/don't belong to it were especially meaningful, too. And the stage directions were so poetic they really created a vivid world.

    I watched this play as part of an online play series and it was so gripping and well-written. The explorations of what it means to be from a place and the ways in which we do/don't belong to it were especially meaningful, too. And the stage directions were so poetic they really created a vivid world.

    ”
  • Jack Levine: Fire and Ice by Emily Russell
    “

    EMILY RUSSELL’s play is a fascinating philosophical discussion of how an individual can and should become ‘in touch’ with a different land, culture, and tradition. When we come to a country as a tourist, our mind is filled with visions of things. To truly become a part of a country, one needs to immerse themselves In the country’s ways of doing things. I love how the sea is described. “Fire and Ice” is a well-written play.

    EMILY RUSSELL’s play is a fascinating philosophical discussion of how an individual can and should become ‘in touch’ with a different land, culture, and tradition. When we come to a country as a tourist, our mind is filled with visions of things. To truly become a part of a country, one needs to immerse themselves In the country’s ways of doing things. I love how the sea is described. “Fire and Ice” is a well-written play.

    ”
View all 10 recommendations

Character Information

  • Ella
    Ella is American. She is a researcher, so should be scholastic, introspective, and conscientious. She is also curious, adventurous, and defensive. She should seem bookish.
    18-30
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Ilmu
    Ilmu is Icelandic. This character should be played by someone who is Scandinavian. He is adventurous and introspective.
    18-30
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Reading, Dragon Productions Theatre Company, 2021
  • Reading, Theatre Unmasked (Virtual), 2020
  • Workshop, Blank Space Workshop, 2019
  • Reading, University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, 2019