Tilly Birdbones

by Leah Plante-Wiener

An adult fairytale about grief, isolation, motherhood, and autonomy, Tilly Birdbones tells the story of a family's final year with its youngest child, as recounted by the tutor who bore witness to her metamorphosis into a bird.

An adult fairytale about grief, isolation, motherhood, and autonomy, Tilly Birdbones tells the story of a family's final year with its youngest child, as recounted by the tutor who bore witness to her metamorphosis into a bird.

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Tilly Birdbones

Recommended by

  • Priya Ele: Tilly Birdbones by Leah Plante-Wiener
    “

    I love this play. Whimsical and bodily and at its core a portrait of girlhood rendered with care.

    I love this play. Whimsical and bodily and at its core a portrait of girlhood rendered with care.

    ”
  • Shaun Leisher: Tilly Birdbones by Leah Plante-Wiener
    “

    Really loved this play. An incredible story about letting go and familial love. Four fantastic roles for actors to really shine.

    Really loved this play. An incredible story about letting go and familial love. Four fantastic roles for actors to really shine.

    ”
  • Claudia Isabel: Tilly Birdbones by Leah Plante-Wiener
    “

    Tilly Birdbones was an amazing read, Saul is a wonderful character narrator. Plante-Wiener encapsulates grief and autonomy in a new way. The monologues are heart-wrenching and raw, and leaving the "shifts" up to the director (giving them the same autonomy that is given to Tilly), ensures that each production of this show would be just as unique as the script itself!

    Tilly Birdbones was an amazing read, Saul is a wonderful character narrator. Plante-Wiener encapsulates grief and autonomy in a new way. The monologues are heart-wrenching and raw, and leaving the "shifts" up to the director (giving them the same autonomy that is given to Tilly), ensures that each production of this show would be just as unique as the script itself!

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

  • Tilly
    15
    Any
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant) Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Saul
    28
    Any
    (assigned male at birth - plot relevant) Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Suzanne
    42
    Any
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant) Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Joseph
    23
    Any
    (assigned male at birth - plot relevant) Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading, Round the Bend, 2023
  • Workshop, The Road Theatre, 2023
  • Reading, The Road Theatre, 2022

Production History

  • Fringe, NY Summerfest, 2022
  • University, NYU Broke People Play Festival, 2021

Awards

  • New Plays of Merit
    Honorable Mention
    2022
  • Stage Play Second Rounder
    Austin Film Festival
    2022
  • Epiphanies New Works Festival Shortlist
    Wild Imaginings
    2022