Siren

Daughter’s grief sends her spiraling, and eventually leads her running away to the sea, where there is Quiet in this chaotic year, the year of her Mother’s death.

Or so she thinks.

Mother liked Quiet as well, and she shared that love with Daughter, sailing in their sailboat, Calliope. But now Mother is dead Quiet… or is she?

A violent storm kicks up, it’s not Quiet at all. And what does Daughter hear in...

Daughter’s grief sends her spiraling, and eventually leads her running away to the sea, where there is Quiet in this chaotic year, the year of her Mother’s death.

Or so she thinks.

Mother liked Quiet as well, and she shared that love with Daughter, sailing in their sailboat, Calliope. But now Mother is dead Quiet… or is she?

A violent storm kicks up, it’s not Quiet at all. And what does Daughter hear in the storm, why does it sound so familiar? Why does it call to her?

Meanwhile, Father reaches for his Daughter across the divide of raging water and storm clouds – of anger and disconnect – constructing a makeshift lighthouse in his neighborhood, praying to guide her home.

But the voice… there’s a voice in the storm. And it is so alluring to Daughter. And the guilt she feels propels her towards it.

Because what if it’s mom?

Told in time-jumping scenes that blend together and direct address, Siren tells the magical realist story of a family that loves each other, but can’t connect. Pulling from various myths around the world, Siren attempts to craft a new mythic tale, where mother becomes a legendary monster, and Daughter is pulled between a world of desolation and one of hope.

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Siren

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  • Emma Goldman-Sherman: Siren

    I loved how this play uses spaces and silences to enhance its theatricality. The possibilities for connection, beauty and meaning arise fluidly and dramatically in this brilliant script. I highly recommend it.

    I loved how this play uses spaces and silences to enhance its theatricality. The possibilities for connection, beauty and meaning arise fluidly and dramatically in this brilliant script. I highly recommend it.

  • Playwrights Foundation: Siren

    Playwrights Foundation congratulates SIREN as a Finalist for BAPF 2020. This play rose to the top 35 out of 735 plays submitted, and was discussed at length by our Bay Area Literary Council for consideration in our season. We loved how this play uses the language of theater to illuminate challenging perspectives and compelling intersectional questions. This play ultimately moved & inspired us and spoke to the core mission of PF. We hope that once we’re allowed to return to our theaters again, it will be considered for production to reach new audiences.

    Playwrights Foundation congratulates SIREN as a Finalist for BAPF 2020. This play rose to the top 35 out of 735 plays submitted, and was discussed at length by our Bay Area Literary Council for consideration in our season. We loved how this play uses the language of theater to illuminate challenging perspectives and compelling intersectional questions. This play ultimately moved & inspired us and spoke to the core mission of PF. We hope that once we’re allowed to return to our theaters again, it will be considered for production to reach new audiences.

  • Julie Zaffarano: Siren

    A beautiful and haunting play. Lisa VilliaMil provides a glimpse into the souls of her characters -- what they long for. Heartbreaking and lovely with a dialogue as rhythmic as the sea, "Siren" takes us through a journey of loss, guilt, and forgiveness. Beautifully written,

    A beautiful and haunting play. Lisa VilliaMil provides a glimpse into the souls of her characters -- what they long for. Heartbreaking and lovely with a dialogue as rhythmic as the sea, "Siren" takes us through a journey of loss, guilt, and forgiveness. Beautifully written,

Daughter – a young woman, any ethnicity. Plays ages 5 – 19.
Father – a middle-aged man, any ethnicity. Plays various ages throughout fatherhood.
Mother – a middle-aged woman, any ethnicity. Plays various ages throughout motherhood.