Prisontown

by LEE OSORIO

How much of an activist are you? After receiving this text message from his immigration attorney brother, a Writer finds himself haunted by a very persistent and troubling ghost. Before long, the Writer finds himself on a journey back to his hometown of Lumpkin, Georgia … now the home of Stewart County Immigration Detention Center. As he talks to those trapped in the prison – both literally and figuratively –...

How much of an activist are you? After receiving this text message from his immigration attorney brother, a Writer finds himself haunted by a very persistent and troubling ghost. Before long, the Writer finds himself on a journey back to his hometown of Lumpkin, Georgia … now the home of Stewart County Immigration Detention Center. As he talks to those trapped in the prison – both literally and figuratively – the ghost makes a simple but incredibly hard request – see.

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Prisontown

Recommended by

  • Abe Johnson: Prisontown by LEE OSORIO
    “

    A gorgeous howl of a play-- not to mention the craft it takes to sustain the journey of this one-person show?? This script is so rich and imaginative, with dramaturgy expertly balanced between its protagonist and the immediate history that haunts them. I'm blown away at the razor-sharp process of unpeeling Georgia's history of slavery and hotspot ICE detention centers-- never didactic, deeply rooted in the humanity of The Writer and his wry, refreshing, clear-eyed experience chasing this thread across the Georgia landscape. And funny? And wrenching? Gorgeous script!

    A gorgeous howl of a play-- not to mention the craft it takes to sustain the journey of this one-person show?? This script is so rich and imaginative, with dramaturgy expertly balanced between its protagonist and the immediate history that haunts them. I'm blown away at the razor-sharp process of unpeeling Georgia's history of slavery and hotspot ICE detention centers-- never didactic, deeply rooted in the humanity of The Writer and his wry, refreshing, clear-eyed experience chasing this thread across the Georgia landscape. And funny? And wrenching? Gorgeous script!

    ”
  • Benji Carr: Prisontown by LEE OSORIO
    “

    Saw this performed by the playwright in Atlanta. Emotionally rich and topical, also funny. The central performer was versatile, adapting to every character mentioned in the story. Highly recommended.

    Saw this performed by the playwright in Atlanta. Emotionally rich and topical, also funny. The central performer was versatile, adapting to every character mentioned in the story. Highly recommended.

    ”
This is an auto-biographical one-person show as written. You could have additional actors play the various characters in it if desired.

If a one-person show:

The Writer- 30's-40's, queer Latinx male identifying, wry and self-deprecating sense of humor

Other possible characters:

The Detainee- 30-40s Latinx male identifying from Central America
The Guard/Mayor- 50s to 60s, white male identifying, life long smoker, hangdog look
Angela- 40s, Black female identifying, college professor

Development History

  • Workshop, Alliance Theatre (Reiser Artist Lab), 2021