Mother of Exiles

by Jessica Huang

In 1898 California, a pregnant Eddie Loi faces deportation. In 1998 Miami, her grandson Braulio accidentally summons her spirit while patrolling the border. In 2063 somewhere on the ocean, their descendants try to survive the climate crisis. An epic multigenerational tale of sacrifice, love and survival that spans 150 years in 90 minutes.

In 1898 California, a pregnant Eddie Loi faces deportation. In 1998 Miami, her grandson Braulio accidentally summons her spirit while patrolling the border. In 2063 somewhere on the ocean, their descendants try to survive the climate crisis. An epic multigenerational tale of sacrifice, love and survival that spans 150 years in 90 minutes.

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Mother of Exiles

Recommended by

  • National New Play Network: Mother of Exiles by Jessica Huang
    “

    Mother of Exiles by Jessica Huang was featured in NNPN's 2020 National Showcase of New Plays.

    Mother of Exiles by Jessica Huang was featured in NNPN's 2020 National Showcase of New Plays.

    ”
  • Nick Malakhow: Mother of Exiles by Jessica Huang
    “

    What an exquisite play that will haunt me for quite some time! The economy of language is just so incredible. Huang's dialogue is lyrical, yet straightforward; everyday and profound all at once. The symmetry and recurring themes, characters, and concepts between each scene is all just so brilliantly put together. Its grounding in three time periods allows Huang to create very distinct moments and characters while also expansively exploring immigration, existential concerns about the future, family, identity, race, and so much more. I'd love to see this vivid theatrical world rendered onstage.

    What an exquisite play that will haunt me for quite some time! The economy of language is just so incredible. Huang's dialogue is lyrical, yet straightforward; everyday and profound all at once. The symmetry and recurring themes, characters, and concepts between each scene is all just so brilliantly put together. Its grounding in three time periods allows Huang to create very distinct moments and characters while also expansively exploring immigration, existential concerns about the future, family, identity, race, and so much more. I'd love to see this vivid theatrical world rendered onstage.

    ”
  • Leah Roth Barsanti: Mother of Exiles by Jessica Huang
    “

    WOW WOW WOW! I just saw the PlayLabs reading of this play and I cannot recommend it enough. Huang deftly deals with issues of generational trauma, immigration, family, love, and loss in this truly beautiful piece. Any of the three scenes could be great stand-alone plays, but put together, they are nothing short of a masterpiece. I laughed, I cried, I even sang! What a truly fabulous and necessary play!

    WOW WOW WOW! I just saw the PlayLabs reading of this play and I cannot recommend it enough. Huang deftly deals with issues of generational trauma, immigration, family, love, and loss in this truly beautiful piece. Any of the three scenes could be great stand-alone plays, but put together, they are nothing short of a masterpiece. I laughed, I cried, I even sang! What a truly fabulous and necessary play!

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Development History

  • Reading, The New Group, 2020
  • Reading, PlayLabs The Playwrights Center , 2020
  • Workshop, The Old Globe, 2019
  • Workshop, New York Stage and Film's Fall Season, 2019
  • Residency, Hedgebrook Womens Playwrights Festival,
  • Reading, Chance Theater's On the Radar Series,

Awards