Writing
Writing
As a writer, my background is mainly in theatre. As a playwright, I am drawn to creating imaginary worlds, and leaning into the theatrical and the absurd. I believe that the tension in between realism and absurdity, fact and fiction, character and actor, can reveal a lot of complicated emotional truths and provide real moments of catharsis. I am often inspired by Theatre of the Absurd, Expressionism, and Epic Theatre.
In terms of themes, my stories tend to be cross-cultural and queer!
Don’t Feed the Pigeons
Genre: Absurdist Tragicomedy
Length: Full-length Play, 100 min
Cast: 3f, 3m
Synopsis: Ava lands her dream role as the lead in a new play workshop, but not everything in this rehearsal room is as it seems. The rules are different: there is a strict script to follow, rules to abide by, a culture she is foreign to. As the rehearsal process progresses, the line between reality and fiction begins to blur and she finds herself more and more trapped inside a text that forces her to play the Pigeon. This play-within-a-play is my attempt to explore the parallels between the Hero’s Journey, the American Dream, and the process of domesticating birds.
Productions/ Awards: Set to receive a mainstage production at University of Southern California, directed by David Warshovsky.
UNFAIR
Genre: Drama
Length: Full-length Play, 90 min
Cast: 2f, 2m
Synopsis: Julia and Andy, seemingly the perfect couple, move back to Andy’s hometown and decide to get engaged. However, when Andy’s past comes knocking on the door, Julia is forced to question how well she knows her fiancé. The play asks us to question who carries the burden of forgiveness, if people really can change, and how we live restorative justice within our interpersonal relationships.
Things I Wish I Said Out Loud
Genre: Comedy, Magic Realism
Length: Full-length Play, 110 min
Cast: 6f
Synopsis: Isa returns to Lisbon after her first year of college to help pack up her family home, only to find out everything has changed, and to be haunted by her intrusive thoughts, that have suddenly taken a very unusual form. Additionally, her mother has been having recurring dreams about her high school boyfriend and her sister has been performing stand up at a local bar to impressive the girl she likes. What happens when you realize you don’t really know the people you’ve spent your whole life with?
Productions/ Awards: Full production at Northwestern University, directed by Nini Bagundo, 2022.
Cry Baby
Genre: Drama
Length: Full-length Solo Show, 60 min
Cast: 1f
Synopsis: He is coming. He who left her room so messy she is now barely able to move. The plan is simple, to organize it all and return to him all the stuff he’s burdened her with. However, if the act of cleaning is the act of uncovering, each item of his is a chance to reminisce. And she hates reminiscing. This hour-long solo show, filled with both poetry, humor, and audience interaction, begs the question: how to regain sexual pleasure after a traumatic experience?
Productions/ Awards: The 10-minute version was developed with the Shattered Globe Theatre in Chicago. The full-length version was produced by RhinoFest in Chicago that same year.
The script was awarded the American Woman Fellowship by Dramatic Question Theatre in New York.
Glass Kids
Genre: Dramedy
Length: Full-length Play, 100 min
Cast: 3f
Synopsis: After Mariana attempts suicide, she is forced to move-in with her girlfriend of one month, Jules. The two start exploring sister roleplay as a way of helping Mariana deal with her grief, and the lines quickly begin to blur. In this tragic comedy, there are ghosts, time travel, and all of Snow White’s Seven Dwarfs... decapitated.
Saudade
Genre: Dramedy
Length: Full-length Play, 90 min
Cast: 3f, 1m
Synopsis: Two international students in an American University must build roots away from home. While one is seduced by the American dream, the other latches on to the friendship with a tight grip. As every possible hurdle is thrown their way, will their friendship survive? And will they find the meaning of home?