landscape

by Emma Durbin

How do gender, race, nationality, socioeconomics, and other intersecting identities impact our relationships with the land around us? Set in 1908 Scotland and a climbing gym in 2019 Boystown Chicago, landscape is an ensemble play about the founding of the Ladies Scottish Climbing Club and a group of queer and mostly-femme rock climbers at the Boystown Climbing Club. While they approach similar obstacles to...

How do gender, race, nationality, socioeconomics, and other intersecting identities impact our relationships with the land around us? Set in 1908 Scotland and a climbing gym in 2019 Boystown Chicago, landscape is an ensemble play about the founding of the Ladies Scottish Climbing Club and a group of queer and mostly-femme rock climbers at the Boystown Climbing Club. While they approach similar obstacles to making space for themselves, both groups must also confront the white colonialist patriarchy, environmental racism, and the real cost of their view at the top of their real and polyurethane mountains.

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landscape

Recommended by

  • Annie Considine: landscape by Emma Durbin
    “

    I saw this piece at Valdez Theatre Conference and loved the dichotomy between the two time periods. The exploration of queerness, relationships, and femme perspectives in the dialogue kept my interest throughout. Really hope to see this staged in Chicago or elsewhere!

    I saw this piece at Valdez Theatre Conference and loved the dichotomy between the two time periods. The exploration of queerness, relationships, and femme perspectives in the dialogue kept my interest throughout. Really hope to see this staged in Chicago or elsewhere!

    ”
  • Erin Dietsche: landscape by Emma Durbin
    “

    I love how this play examines rock climbing both in 2019 Chicago and in 1908 Scotland. It would be fantastic to see this piece staged.

    I love how this play examines rock climbing both in 2019 Chicago and in 1908 Scotland. It would be fantastic to see this piece staged.

    ”
  • Zach Barr: landscape by Emma Durbin
    “

    Navigating a fascinating parallel between two time periods that feel more similar than they may appear, Durbin's play is a multilayered look at what it means to make space for your own identity – and how "making space" often leads to taking it from someone else. Painting richly detailed characters in sparse but sharp detail, it's a play whose highly theatrical conceit makes it a feast to view as much as to hear.

    Navigating a fascinating parallel between two time periods that feel more similar than they may appear, Durbin's play is a multilayered look at what it means to make space for your own identity – and how "making space" often leads to taking it from someone else. Painting richly detailed characters in sparse but sharp detail, it's a play whose highly theatrical conceit makes it a feast to view as much as to hear.

    ”
View all 6 recommendations

Development History

  • Reading, Valdez Theatre Conference at PWSC, 2024
  • Workshop, DePaul University, 2020
  • Reading, Mirrorbox Theatre, 2020

Awards

  • Irons in the Fire
    Fault Line Theatre
    Semi-Finalist
    2024
  • NAP Series
    Normal Ave
    Finalist
    2023
  • LAB Series
    The Inkwell Theater
    Finalist
    2023