Jagged Journey

by Elana Gartner

Jagged Journey is an achronological exploration of the contentious relationship between Ginny and the personification of her Epilepsy. As Epilepsy cartwheels through Ginny’s life, trying to be her friend, Ginny must decide what is worth fighting for, even if it means endangering herself. Inspired by real life events, Ginny and Epilepsy’s challenging dynamic plays out over twenty three years as they battle over...

Jagged Journey is an achronological exploration of the contentious relationship between Ginny and the personification of her Epilepsy. As Epilepsy cartwheels through Ginny’s life, trying to be her friend, Ginny must decide what is worth fighting for, even if it means endangering herself. Inspired by real life events, Ginny and Epilepsy’s challenging dynamic plays out over twenty three years as they battle over sex, college, driving, relationships, friendships, marriage, children and, most of all, power.

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Jagged Journey

Recommended by

  • Jennifer O'Grady: Jagged Journey by Elana Gartner
    “

    Gartner's play is a moving coming-of-age story and a theatrical exploration of living with a disability-in this case, epilepsy, personified by a wonderfully surprising character named Epilepsy. Read and produce it!

    Gartner's play is a moving coming-of-age story and a theatrical exploration of living with a disability-in this case, epilepsy, personified by a wonderfully surprising character named Epilepsy. Read and produce it!

    ”
  • Duncan Pflaster: Jagged Journey by Elana Gartner
    “

    An intriguing exploration of dealing with Epilepsy by anthropomorphizing it as a character, personalizing the struggles with protagonist's disability. Great opportunities for bold performers.

    An intriguing exploration of dealing with Epilepsy by anthropomorphizing it as a character, personalizing the struggles with protagonist's disability. Great opportunities for bold performers.

    ”
  • Michelle Tyrene Johnson: Jagged Journey by Elana Gartner
    “

    I became familiar with this play from a reading at the MFA Spalding program where Elana and I were both studying playwriting. What I particularly love about this play is how Elana dramatizes an issue that she has a lived experience with in a way that makes epilepsy a topic and a story that any thinking audience member can relate to. The universality of a play is in its specificity, and with this play, Elana shows us a world that illuminates issues that leave a lasting emotional resonance about the journey of growing into adulthood with a disability.

    I became familiar with this play from a reading at the MFA Spalding program where Elana and I were both studying playwriting. What I particularly love about this play is how Elana dramatizes an issue that she has a lived experience with in a way that makes epilepsy a topic and a story that any thinking audience member can relate to. The universality of a play is in its specificity, and with this play, Elana shows us a world that illuminates issues that leave a lasting emotional resonance about the journey of growing into adulthood with a disability.

    ”
View all 5 recommendations

Development History

  • Reading, Spalding University MFA Program, 2020

Production History

  • Professional, Media Arts Council (Reading), 2023
  • Professional, Industry Readings (In-Person and Virtual), 2023

Awards

  • GULFSHORE PLAYHOUSE NEW WORKS FESTIVAL
    GULFSHORE PLAYHOUSE
    Finalist
    2022