Tapping at the Window

by Julie Zaffarano

In April 1918, Mary confronts her sister Anna about their mother’s unexpected death. Mary had been told that her mother died when Mary was a child. As Mary enters adulthood, she is required to attend her mother's funeral and discovers that her mother had not passed on but had been institutionalized. The worst betrayal for Mary is that Anna knew and kept the secret. This is a play about mental health, the...

In April 1918, Mary confronts her sister Anna about their mother’s unexpected death. Mary had been told that her mother died when Mary was a child. As Mary enters adulthood, she is required to attend her mother's funeral and discovers that her mother had not passed on but had been institutionalized. The worst betrayal for Mary is that Anna knew and kept the secret. This is a play about mental health, the associated secrets, fears, and stigmas-- and their effects on families.

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Tapping at the Window

Recommended by

  • Sam Heyman: Tapping at the Window by Julie Zaffarano
    “

    What a powerful, resonant play! Amidst its own pandemic backdrop, Tapping At The Window tells of a time we would like to think we have moved beyond: a time of precariousness for women and particularly for anyone suffering from mental illness. Weaving poignant family drama with meditations on grief and guilt, Julie Zaffarano has created a skillful and emotional play that is sure to move audiences and provoke conversations.

    What a powerful, resonant play! Amidst its own pandemic backdrop, Tapping At The Window tells of a time we would like to think we have moved beyond: a time of precariousness for women and particularly for anyone suffering from mental illness. Weaving poignant family drama with meditations on grief and guilt, Julie Zaffarano has created a skillful and emotional play that is sure to move audiences and provoke conversations.

    ”
  • Keenya Jackson: Tapping at the Window by Julie Zaffarano
    “

    I'm excited to see this play get produced. This play is beautiful and haunting and so relatable. That's the way that family secrets tend to be. This secret is revealed in a way that allowed me to see each character's point of view. The characters each have their own struggle and each one is valid. The topic of mental health, and how our society dealt with it decades ago, made me question how it's being managed today. Throughout the play we learn to care about this family, while watching to see if they can heal from family and societal traumas.

    I'm excited to see this play get produced. This play is beautiful and haunting and so relatable. That's the way that family secrets tend to be. This secret is revealed in a way that allowed me to see each character's point of view. The characters each have their own struggle and each one is valid. The topic of mental health, and how our society dealt with it decades ago, made me question how it's being managed today. Throughout the play we learn to care about this family, while watching to see if they can heal from family and societal traumas.

    ”
  • Alex Dremann: Tapping at the Window by Julie Zaffarano
    “

    A secret is revealed upon the death of their mother which calls into question the relationship of two sisters. The lies to keep the secret changed the course of both their lives in completely different ways. Though it takes place in the early 1900’s, the themes of this play fully resonate today— it’s fascinating to see how far we’ve come dealing with the stigma of mental illness and how far we have yet to go. Well-written with slow-burn dramatic tension throughout and even some deliciously-placed hints of humor, I hope this play gets the fully-formed production it deserves.

    A secret is revealed upon the death of their mother which calls into question the relationship of two sisters. The lies to keep the secret changed the course of both their lives in completely different ways. Though it takes place in the early 1900’s, the themes of this play fully resonate today— it’s fascinating to see how far we’ve come dealing with the stigma of mental illness and how far we have yet to go. Well-written with slow-burn dramatic tension throughout and even some deliciously-placed hints of humor, I hope this play gets the fully-formed production it deserves.

    ”
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Development History

  • Reading, South Camden Theatre, 2024
  • Reading, Media Arts Council, 2023
  • Reading, Cape May Stage (Excerpts), 2023
  • Reading, Philadelphia Women's Theatre Festival (Excerpts), 2022