FOR MY SILENT SISTERS
A full-length drama
by Tara Meddaugh
Set in the countries of Cambodia, Romania, India and the United States, four teenagers struggle to escape the dark underworld of human trafficking. Jorani has been sold to a brothel in payment for her sister’s gambling debt, and her Buddhist upbringing is put to the test. Marta seeks a new life as a translator in England, but after finding her “employer” has vastly different plans for her, she must risk her own life to save another. After a fight with her father, Claire meets an older man whom she starts to fall for—but whose manipulation over her brings on severe consequences. Abhay, living on the streets of Mumbai, finds employment at a brothel and must decide if the “good life” is worth the atrocities. While living in four different parts of the world, their lives are intertwined, and their support of each other binds this connection. This drama shines light on the real horrors that occur all over the world, and the hope and faith that allow children to survive.
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*Please note that while I write with great respect and care, this play contains references to human trafficking and violence and may therefore not be suitable for all readers and audiences.
* Please also note that while the play is entirely fiction, crimes, as described in this play, do occur. No country is immune to this egregious crime. At the time I’m writing this, criminals are trafficking an estimated 24-28 million people worldwide. For more information on human trafficking in the USA, how to help or report, visit the Human Trafficking Hotline or Polaris.
DETAILS
Cast: (9+) - 5 female, 3 male, 1-2 female children. Casting is designed for doubling of some roles, so can be larger if desired. See character sheet here for more details.
Genre: Drama
*Note that while the playwright aims to be respectful of the subject matter, the content deals with the topic of human trafficking and has violent and sexual references
Set: minimal, impressionistic
Time period: Contemporary
Running time: Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes
Great for: Strong leads for teens or young adults, intense dramatic acting matched with lighter moments, awareness/activism for a serious social atrocity, fundraising, community discussions and engagement, 4 unique engaging storylines with rich and complex characters, many fantastic and moving monologues of varying lengths, creative directing and design, medium to large casts, diversity. This is a play about a serious social issue, but foremost, it is a play with developed, sympathetic characters and their engaging stories.
For My Silent Sisters is enriched with moving monologues from the four central characters, Jorani, Abhay, Marta and Claire.
Click for Abhay’s monologue, Abhay and the Banana.
Click for Jorani’s monologue, No More Mirrors.
Click for Marta’s monologue, Engulf the Evil Ashes.
Click for a free excerpt from the full-length play, For My Silent Sisters
CLICK below for a complete digital copy of For My Silent Sisters