Carissa Atallah

Carissa Atallah

Carissa Atallah is a playwright from Southern California. Titles include BROWN FACE, winner of the Steinberg National Student Playwriting Award presented by the Kennedy Center, and VOIR DIRE, winner of the 45th Annual Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival. She earned an M.F.A. in Creative Writing for the Performing Arts from the University of California, Riverside. Learn more at carissaatallah.com

Plays

  • Brown Face by Carissa Atallah
    Recommendations: 3
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    Cast: 
    5–8
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 1 more
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    Keyword: brown face, Chicana + 6 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, political
    Keyword: brown face, Chicana, Latinx, american immigration, college age, spoken word, American dreamers, full length
    Gracia is a Chicana writer and DREAMer. In order to draw attention to her work but not her undocumented status, Gracia convinces her white and US-born best friend Mariza to perform her poetry. When Gracia’s words launch Mariza into gaining a following as a Latinx artist and activist, their friendship is tested by issues of privilege and cultural appropriation. Part play, part poetry slam, “Brown Face” follows a...
    Gracia is a Chicana writer and DREAMer. In order to draw attention to her work but not her undocumented status, Gracia convinces her white and US-born best friend Mariza to perform her poetry. When Gracia’s words launch Mariza into gaining a following as a Latinx artist and activist, their friendship is tested by issues of privilege and cultural appropriation. Part play, part poetry slam, “Brown Face” follows a group of college students as they navigate their identities in the competitive world of spoken word poetry. Available: https://www.concordtheatricals.com/s/95098/brown-face
  • Voir Dire by Carissa Atallah
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    5–9
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: metoo, Times Up + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, experimental, political
    Keyword: metoo, Times Up, feminism, socio-political, women, sexual assault, sexism
    Have you, or anyone close to you, been sexually assaulted in your lifetime?
    “Voir Dire”, a Kennedy Center award-nominated short play, follows a diverse set of women as they are interviewed for jury duty on a sexual assault case in New York City. Winner of the 45th Annual Samuel French Off Off Broadway Theater Festival. Available through Concord Theatricals.

Recommended by Carissa Atallah

  • Alma by Benjamin Benne
    8 Nov. 2022
    “ Only two characters and yet reading this play reminded me of my family in so many ways! Excellent and precise, I can't wait to catch it on the stage! ”
  • House of India by Deepak Kumar
    8 Nov. 2022
    “ A wonderful, heartfelt play that explores the nuances of being first and second-generation Americans. The beats in dialogue really flow. I can't wait to see more from Kumar! ”
  • Still Harvey Still by Brianna Barrett
    11 Oct. 2022
    “ I am totally obsessed with this play. The character development throughout the story felt real, raw, and emotional. The comedic beats are fun while never distracting from the heart of the story between Evan and Harvey. The timeline of events past and present is also very carefully crafted. Can't wait to see this one on its feet! ”