“She clothed herself in royalty.” (Esther 5:1)

Good morning, good evening.

At the behest of spirited close friends, I am building a play about my grandmother, Etla, & her sister, Hena. 

Etla was sent on a boat to Nova Scotia at age 15 to avoid the rumblings of war in Europe, while Hena (only 13) was sent to one of the most frightening camps. However, through youthful wisdom & mischief, against every odd, she seduced a German officer & carved her own escape.

In this story, we open on the girls at peace in their homeland of Galicia (a country that no longer exists). In a childish attempt at magic & mischief they perform a spell, attempting to imbue their dolls with each other’s wishes. Throughout the tale, they’re able to influence with each other, across oceans. Hena wades through the forest to find love with an Italian woman named Francesca; Etla breaks free from her marriage to protect an enchanted, androgynous son (inspired by my dad).

Years after being apart & losing their talismans, they spot each other in Spain at a place named Promiseland, an amusement park. Surrounded by artists they admire (Dalí, etc.) who admire them back, they become costumers for a ballet company & live happily ever after. Who are we, if not each other’s soulmates? What are we, if not angels? Here, I am humbly welcoming you to become a piece of our workshop at the Public Theater, winter 2023. Theater is my home, my dream, my peace. Please, come with me.

(Promiseland, an original play. Written & directed by Verônika Shülman. Edited by Rhiannon McGavin. Produced by Abby Pucker & others. Thank you to Monique Mitchell, Lee Blankenship, Kelci Potter, Esmé Shapiro, Samantha Paige, Luca Guadagnino, & Miranda July. More @ poetsandprophets.com.)