Tragedy Sound

by Karen Saari

UNPUBLISHED & AVAILABLE FOR PRODUCTION
World premiere, July 11-27, 2025, Playhouse on the Square, Memphis, TN
Wisconsin premiere, Sept. 24-27, 2025, Edgewood University, Madison, Wisc.
Michigan production, May 14-16, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Mich.
FOURTH PRODUCTION SOON TO BE ANNOUNCED
Residency Award, Br!nk New Play Festival, Renaissance Theaterworks, 2024
Development/workshops with Flint Rep...

UNPUBLISHED & AVAILABLE FOR PRODUCTION
World premiere, July 11-27, 2025, Playhouse on the Square, Memphis, TN
Wisconsin premiere, Sept. 24-27, 2025, Edgewood University, Madison, Wisc.
Michigan production, May 14-16, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Mich.
FOURTH PRODUCTION SOON TO BE ANNOUNCED
Residency Award, Br!nk New Play Festival, Renaissance Theaterworks, 2024
Development/workshops with Flint Rep, Larking House Theatre, The Bechdel Group
Semi-finalist, Playwrights Realm Scratchpad Series, 2023; , Semi-finalistO'Neill NPC 2024

Three young women accept a dare and embark on a canoe trek on frigid waters. Dangerous conditions prevail and force them to reveal and face the choices they've made and the trappings of life in their confining hometown.

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Tragedy Sound

Recommended by

  • Rich Rubin: Tragedy Sound by Karen Saari
    “

    A fast-paced, expertly crafted, gut-punch of a play. Thrilling and highly theatrical, with enticing roles for three young actors. Extremely worthy of wide-spread production!

    A fast-paced, expertly crafted, gut-punch of a play. Thrilling and highly theatrical, with enticing roles for three young actors. Extremely worthy of wide-spread production!

    ”
  • Karissa Murrell Myers: Tragedy Sound by Karen Saari
    “

    A true exploration of young female friendships and what happens when you start to outgrow them. This plays has rich characters with complicated feelings, and I found the setting of the canoe on the waters of Lake Superior to be a beautifully unsettling place.

    A true exploration of young female friendships and what happens when you start to outgrow them. This plays has rich characters with complicated feelings, and I found the setting of the canoe on the waters of Lake Superior to be a beautifully unsettling place.

    ”
  • Anastasia Wild: Tragedy Sound by Karen Saari
    “

    Small-town, Midwest feels with high-intensity build, TRAGEDY SOUND takes us on a dangerous voyage with strong female characters guiding the way. Saari gives the creative teams of actors and designers fabulous opportunities at theatricality in bringing this show to the stage.

    Small-town, Midwest feels with high-intensity build, TRAGEDY SOUND takes us on a dangerous voyage with strong female characters guiding the way. Saari gives the creative teams of actors and designers fabulous opportunities at theatricality in bringing this show to the stage.

    ”
View all 6 recommendations
3 women, early 20s, diversity in casting encouraged
OPTIONAL ensemble (see script)

Development History

  • Workshop, The Bechdel Group (NYC), 2024
  • Workshop, Flint Repertory Theatre, 2024
  • Workshop, Larking House Theatre, 2024

Production History

  • University, Northern Michigan University, 2026
  • Professional, Playhouse on the Square, 2025
  • University, Edgewood University, 2025

Awards

  • Panowski Playwriting Competition
    Northern Michigan University
    Winner
    2025
  • VetRep Playwrighting Competition
    Veterans Repertory Theatre
    Finalist
    2024
  • Scratchpad Series
    Playwrights Realm
    Semi-Finalist
    2023