Bad Medicine

by P.C. Verrone

Native American academics Aislin and Cesar are excited to settle into their new home in Proctor, Massachusetts. Even their nosy white neighbors seem nice enough. But as Aislin becomes aware of strange occurrences surrounding her job at the Natural History Museum, she starts to wonder if there might be something insidious beneath the sleepy town. Aislin must overcome deep insecurities around her identity to...

Native American academics Aislin and Cesar are excited to settle into their new home in Proctor, Massachusetts. Even their nosy white neighbors seem nice enough. But as Aislin becomes aware of strange occurrences surrounding her job at the Natural History Museum, she starts to wonder if there might be something insidious beneath the sleepy town. Aislin must overcome deep insecurities around her identity to uncover the town’s terrifying secrets.

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Bad Medicine

Recommended by

  • Andrew Rosendorf: Bad Medicine by P.C. Verrone
    “

    This play constantly surprises with the twists and turns of the story. All while having a laser sharp sense of humor that never pulls any punches. You're laughing one moment and terrified in the next. A tricky balance that this play pulls off beautifully. If you love horror like The Stepford Wives, Rosemary's Baby, or The Wicker Man - this play is for you. Verrone is a writer everyone should know.

    This play constantly surprises with the twists and turns of the story. All while having a laser sharp sense of humor that never pulls any punches. You're laughing one moment and terrified in the next. A tricky balance that this play pulls off beautifully. If you love horror like The Stepford Wives, Rosemary's Baby, or The Wicker Man - this play is for you. Verrone is a writer everyone should know.

    ”
  • Monica Cross: Bad Medicine by P.C. Verrone
    “

    Bad Medicine is horror at it's finest! P.C. Verrone threads and exquisite tension throughout the the play. Driving Aislin and Audiences towards an ever more terrifying conclusion. This play deals with complicated relationships to indigenous identities and unplanned pregnancies, as well as the difficulty of navigating academia and the job market. Beautifully written, and with a lot of great parts and wonderful opportunities for design.

    Bad Medicine is horror at it's finest! P.C. Verrone threads and exquisite tension throughout the the play. Driving Aislin and Audiences towards an ever more terrifying conclusion. This play deals with complicated relationships to indigenous identities and unplanned pregnancies, as well as the difficulty of navigating academia and the job market. Beautifully written, and with a lot of great parts and wonderful opportunities for design.

    ”

Character Information

  • Aislin Alvarez
    Osage woman, adopted and raised by an Irish-American family from birth. Recent PhD graduate. Intelligent, curious, and non-confrontational (mostly).
    25-35
    Indigenous/Native American/First Nations,
    Indigenous/Native American/First Nations -- Osage
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Cesar Alvarez
    Aislin's husband. Laguna Pueblo. Professor of American History with beautiful, long hair. Pragmatic to a fault.
    Mid-30s
    Indigenous/Native American/First Nations,
    Indigenous/Native American/First Nations -- Pueblo
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Dawn
    Aislin and Cesar's neighbor. White. Chatty, kooky, nosy, and very into "traditional" medicine.
    20s-30s
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Erik
    Dawn's husband. White. A graphic designer. Also kooky, also nosy.
    20s-30s
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Shannon
    Osage. Tour guide at the Proctor Museum of Natural History.
    40s-50s
    Indigenous/Native American/First Nations,
    Indigenous/Native American/First Nations -- Osage
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Theresa
    Recently-appointed interim director of the Proctor Museum. White.
    30s-50s
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman

Development History

  • Workshop, Native Voices, 2022
  • Reading, La Jolla Playhouse, 2022
  • Reading, Primary Stages, 2022

Production History

  • Professional, Native Voices, 2027

Awards