THE MADRES

by Stephanie Alison Walker

Received a NNPN Rolling World Premiere

It's 1978 in Buenos Aires, Argentina where people are disappearing right off the street but no one is talking about it. Carolina and her mother Josefina are searching for their pregnant daughter/granddaughter, Belén, who has been missing for twelve weeks. When they receive a surprise visit first from a former neighborhood priest who is now stationed at the ESMA (the Navy...

Received a NNPN Rolling World Premiere

It's 1978 in Buenos Aires, Argentina where people are disappearing right off the street but no one is talking about it. Carolina and her mother Josefina are searching for their pregnant daughter/granddaughter, Belén, who has been missing for twelve weeks. When they receive a surprise visit first from a former neighborhood priest who is now stationed at the ESMA (the Navy Mechanics school turned clandestine prison in the middle of the city,) they come up with a plan to try to see Belén one last time. Will it work? Will they be able to save her baby? Will they be able to save themselves?

*Finalist for the 2016 Saroyan/Paul Playwriting Prize for Human Rights
*Winner 2016 Ashland New Plays Festival
*Runner-Up Jane Chambers Playwriting Award
*Finalist for Kitchen Dog Theater's 2016 New Works Festival
*Finalist for the 2016 O'Neill Playwrights Conference
*Winner of Boulder Ensemble Theater Company's Generations Contest
*Finalist for the CTG/Humanitas Playwriting Prize
*Finalist for the 2016 Source Festival

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THE MADRES

Recommended by

  • Shaun Leisher: THE MADRES by Stephanie Alison Walker
    “

    I really loved this play. It looks at a part of history that does not get talked about enough. A play that also couldn't be more relevant to our current times as we teeter on the brink of fascism in the USA. I really admired how well-written these characters are. They are so layered and, no matter what side they are on, no one in this play is a hero or villain. This is a play about striving for hope when doing so can be dangerous. Great roles for Latinx actors. Loved the ending.

    I really loved this play. It looks at a part of history that does not get talked about enough. A play that also couldn't be more relevant to our current times as we teeter on the brink of fascism in the USA. I really admired how well-written these characters are. They are so layered and, no matter what side they are on, no one in this play is a hero or villain. This is a play about striving for hope when doing so can be dangerous. Great roles for Latinx actors. Loved the ending.

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: THE MADRES by Stephanie Alison Walker
    “

    An incredibly powerful, important piece bringing to light a reality the world is largely unaware of and needs to be. Spectacular.

    An incredibly powerful, important piece bringing to light a reality the world is largely unaware of and needs to be. Spectacular.

    ”
  • Ross Tedford Kendall: THE MADRES by Stephanie Alison Walker
    “

    This playwright is very brave for tackling a story this powerful. Few may know about the backdrop, but Walker makes you feel that it's not only important, but timeless. The characters are up against impossible odds to secure one more family connection, one last bit of hope. This story has no easy answers, but touches on a piece of humanity that few will match. That is art at the highest level.

    This playwright is very brave for tackling a story this powerful. Few may know about the backdrop, but Walker makes you feel that it's not only important, but timeless. The characters are up against impossible odds to secure one more family connection, one last bit of hope. This story has no easy answers, but touches on a piece of humanity that few will match. That is art at the highest level.

    ”
View all 20 recommendations

Character Information

The characters are all Argentine and should be cast with Latinx actors only. Note: some Spanish is required.
  • JOSEFINA ACOSTA
    A force of nature in a small package. Do not underestimate this woman. She is unafraid and understands how things get done in the world. A strong and patient woman, she always sees the big picture and always has something baking in the oven.
    67
    Latino -- Aregentine
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • CAROLINA ACOSTA
    Josefina's daughter. As strong as her mother, she is more action-driven and less willing to wait for the long game. She is outspoken and passionate and willing to take risks in the name of justice.
    45
    Latino -- Aregentine
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • BELÉN ACOSTA
    Carolina's only child. She is a film student. She is newly married and eight months pregnant.
    20
    Latino -- Aregentine
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • PADRE JUAN
    A Catholic parish priest from the neighborhood who is now a priest at the ESMA.
    60s
    Latino -- Aregentine
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • DIEGO THE SOLDIER
    A neighborhood boy who has found purpose in his role as a foot soldier in the military dictatorship of Argentina. He is stationed at the Navy Mechanics School known as the ESMA.
    20
    Latino -- Aregentine
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Reading, San Diego Rep - Amigos del Rep, 2016
  • Workshop, Boulder Ensemble Theater Company, 2016
  • Reading, Ashland New Play Festival, 2016
  • Reading, National New Play Network - Annual New Play Showcase, 2016
  • Reading, The Road Theatre - Summer Playwrights Festival 7 - Los Angeles, 2016
  • Reading, Playwrights Union (Los Angeles, First Peek Festival), 2015
  • Reading, Chicago Dramatists, 2015

Production History

  • Professional, La Troupe - San Miguel de Allende, Mexico (Bilingual production), 2018
  • Professional, MOXIE Theatre, 2018
  • Professional, Shrewd Productions, 2018
  • Professional, Teatro Vista, 2018

Awards

  • Francesca Primus Prize
    American Theatre Critics Association
    Winner
    2019
  • 2016 Saroyan/Paul Playwriting Prize for Human Rights
    Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance
    Finalist
    2016
  • The Source Theater Festival
    Cultural DC
    Finalist
    2015
  • GENERATIONS Prize
    Boulder Ensemble Theater
    Winner
    2015
  • Humanitas/CTG Playwriting Prize
    Humanitas and Center Theater Group
    Finalist
    2015
  • O'Neill National Playwrights Conference
    Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
    Finalist
    2016