←Recommendations of My Father Was Shot in the Back of the Head

  • Benjamin Benne: My Father Was Shot in the Back of the Head by Gloria Majule
    “

    This play gutted me...over and over. Each scene is so perfectly crafted from a story perspective so that the final beat lands with impact -- and like a stone rolling down a mountain, each scene just keeps accumulating in momentum and stakes as it hurls towards an inevitable but striking ending. The language alone is so effective that it's an exciting prospect to see how the design/puppetry/mask components would enhance it.

    This play gutted me...over and over. Each scene is so perfectly crafted from a story perspective so that the final beat lands with impact -- and like a stone rolling down a mountain, each scene just keeps accumulating in momentum and stakes as it hurls towards an inevitable but striking ending. The language alone is so effective that it's an exciting prospect to see how the design/puppetry/mask components would enhance it.

    ”
  • Patrick Vermillion: My Father Was Shot in the Back of the Head by Gloria Majule
    “

    Such an evocative play - layered with complex humanity, humor, and poignancy. There is so much covered here in 90 minutes - and yet the play never feels like it slights its characters. On the contrary - I was amazed at the brilliantly developed characters. It jumps off the page into the imagination - and wallops you with a gut punch ending. Brilliant, brilliant work

    Such an evocative play - layered with complex humanity, humor, and poignancy. There is so much covered here in 90 minutes - and yet the play never feels like it slights its characters. On the contrary - I was amazed at the brilliantly developed characters. It jumps off the page into the imagination - and wallops you with a gut punch ending. Brilliant, brilliant work

    ”
  • Hannah Sgambellone: My Father Was Shot in the Back of the Head by Gloria Majule
    “

    Majule maintains a balance of black comedy and bleak reality through her tale of family trauma exacerbated by religious mania. This memory play is a vivid portrait of an African girl coming-of-age at the turn of the century, and the family relationships depicted are nuanced and compassionate. Majule's voice is specific and authentic, and her use of puppetry is at once a bold theatrical statement and an homage to traditional African storytelling techniques.

    Majule maintains a balance of black comedy and bleak reality through her tale of family trauma exacerbated by religious mania. This memory play is a vivid portrait of an African girl coming-of-age at the turn of the century, and the family relationships depicted are nuanced and compassionate. Majule's voice is specific and authentic, and her use of puppetry is at once a bold theatrical statement and an homage to traditional African storytelling techniques.

    ”
  • Shaun Leisher: My Father Was Shot in the Back of the Head by Gloria Majule
    “

    A fantastic coming of age story. Would love to see this produced with the use of puppets and other theatrical techniques. It's impossible not to feel for the characters in this play. I found this play very moving. Humor and heartbreak is blended together to create a compelling piece of theatre.

    A fantastic coming of age story. Would love to see this produced with the use of puppets and other theatrical techniques. It's impossible not to feel for the characters in this play. I found this play very moving. Humor and heartbreak is blended together to create a compelling piece of theatre.

    ”
  • Nabra Nelson: My Father Was Shot in the Back of the Head by Gloria Majule
    “

    Compelling, hearbreaking, dark, and funny. There are so many heart-wrenching moments and scenes; the whole play stays with you. It’s a really unique coming of age story, and a super interesting way to tell the story – the theatrical devices would be amazing to see onstage. And the end of EVERY scene is poetic beyond belief. Simply incredibly good storytelling. We need more African stories told in African ways, like this play.

    Compelling, hearbreaking, dark, and funny. There are so many heart-wrenching moments and scenes; the whole play stays with you. It’s a really unique coming of age story, and a super interesting way to tell the story – the theatrical devices would be amazing to see onstage. And the end of EVERY scene is poetic beyond belief. Simply incredibly good storytelling. We need more African stories told in African ways, like this play.

    ”