the calm before

by Deborah Yarchun

the calm before is a two-character father-daughter drama set in Rockport, TX the night Hurricane Harvey makes landfall. Ellen desperately attempts to get her recalcitrant father, a conservative 65-year old Navy veteran, out. As the hurricane bears down – difficult parts of their past and their current ideological differences play out; the two brace themselves for a night of tough winds, tough love, and...

the calm before is a two-character father-daughter drama set in Rockport, TX the night Hurricane Harvey makes landfall. Ellen desperately attempts to get her recalcitrant father, a conservative 65-year old Navy veteran, out. As the hurricane bears down – difficult parts of their past and their current ideological differences play out; the two brace themselves for a night of tough winds, tough love, and confronting uncomfortable truths.

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the calm before

Recommended by

  • Lainie Vansant: the calm before by Deborah Yarchun
    “

    This play deftly investigates a strained family relationship which represents, in many ways, the strained family relationship within the 'family' of US citizens today. Both characters are delightfully stubborn, flawed, and engaging. Check it out!

    This play deftly investigates a strained family relationship which represents, in many ways, the strained family relationship within the 'family' of US citizens today. Both characters are delightfully stubborn, flawed, and engaging. Check it out!

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: the calm before by Deborah Yarchun
    “

    A moving story of a father and daughter working through the barriers that have distanced them, how to work through trauma and move forward. Well done.

    A moving story of a father and daughter working through the barriers that have distanced them, how to work through trauma and move forward. Well done.

    ”
  • Megan Ann Jacobs: the calm before by Deborah Yarchun
    “

    This piece is great for anyone who is looking for a dynamic story about a father and daughter who have been pushed apart by different views, loss, and time. "the calm before" is a poignant piece that evaluates how moments from our past come bursting forward to the present and evaluates how traumas can merge and how they can be let go.

    This piece is great for anyone who is looking for a dynamic story about a father and daughter who have been pushed apart by different views, loss, and time. "the calm before" is a poignant piece that evaluates how moments from our past come bursting forward to the present and evaluates how traumas can merge and how they can be let go.

    ”
View all 7 recommendations

Character Information

  • Ellen Mayborn
    She wears wellies the entire play. Sometimes speaks quickly. She’s like a hurricane in her own way. She has panic attacks but not in dire circumstances. Only over little things. And she can’t explain it.
    32
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Mitch Mayborn
    Ellen’s father. He wears loafers the entire play. He has an incredible amount of volition and nerve. He’s like a hurricane in his own way. He doesn’t own a cell phone, but not because he’s a technophobe. He just can’t be bothered to adjust. He has a dry sense of humor. Temperamental but sees himself as a generous, giving man.
    65
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Workshop, The Playwrights' Center, 2021
  • Reading, The Blank Theatre, 2019
  • Reading, Capital Repertory Theatre, 2019

Awards

  • VetRep's Playwriting Competition
    VetRep
    Finalist
    2022
  • Woodward Newman Award
    Finalist
    2022
  • Forward Flux Three New American Plays Commission
    Forward Flux
    Finalist
    2018