When Cass is accused of a heinous crime, her sister Jackie – a promising criminal defense attorney – decides to take over the case. But when Lisa, their other sister, shows up in town for solidarity, she realizes there is more to the allegations than what she was told.
This is the gripping plot to the new drama from Et Alia Theater and acclaimed playwright, Federica Borlenghi.
Federica Borlenghi is an Italian Brooklyn-based, multi-hyphenate theater artist with a primary focus on playwriting and directing. Originally from Milan, Italy, she came to prominence for directing her own works of highly sensorial and interdisciplinary theater productions that disrupt traditional theatrical processes through an intuitive, highly collaborative approach. Her play, UNTIL DARK, goes where most plays dare not travel. We spoke with Ms. Borlenghi about her work and this play.
Is this “based on a true story”? If not, what inspired you to write this play?
It all started with the rising of the Me Too movement. I sadly never heard of the concept of “sexual consent” until then. I was 21. There was so much to process. So I started writing! I decided to tie my reflections to sisterhood, to not tie the subject matter to gender, and dive deeper into the intricacies of the morality of it all, in a familial context.
The theatre has the power to educate and elucidate… Do you agree and if so, what do you hope the audience takes away from seeing your play?
I couldn’t agree more! Theater can be such a powerful tool to provoke necessary questions and offer mirrors on society. I hope to offer the audience an opportunity to reflect on the consequences of not addressing trauma. Specifically, on the results of not having a proper sexual education. I believe that ignorance needs to be met by education. Otherwise, there can’t be any true progress.
What have you learned about yourself from this work?
Developing this story cut really deep into my personal experience, and provided me with so much perspective. While writing, I realized that I understand and process the world through writing. And I’ve learnt that to write a good story, I really can’t do it alone. I was tremendously lucky to have Dramaturg Covi Loveridge Brannan by my side for every step of the way, and a fantastic cast to break the story and these characters apart with.
What’s next?
…..more writing! What I love the most about theater is getting the opportunity to present versions of plays while they’re still in development. I could never finish plays while sitting at a desk, alone with the pages. I need to see them, hear them, and workshop them. I feel very strongly about the version that we are presenting, but I already started brewing a new version…. So stay tuned.
UNTIL DARK plays at the new Out of the Box Theatrics, 154 Christopher Street #1E New York City
Visit EVENTBRITE to reserve your seat today
ARTIUM: OMNI 