All the Things We're Supposed to Be

by Laura Hirschberg

All the Things We're Supposed to Be is a drama about how we grieve, who we choose to love, and what it takes to keep moving forward.
The Kaufman siblings (Henry, Jen, and Beth) are four days into sitting shiva for their father, Max. Notably missing from the group is their brother Ash, who, five years before, had a huge falling out with his father and fled three hundred and fifty miles south, settling in...

All the Things We're Supposed to Be is a drama about how we grieve, who we choose to love, and what it takes to keep moving forward.
The Kaufman siblings (Henry, Jen, and Beth) are four days into sitting shiva for their father, Max. Notably missing from the group is their brother Ash, who, five years before, had a huge falling out with his father and fled three hundred and fifty miles south, settling in Richmond, VA.
As the days of shiva run out, Beth discovers a letter hidden in the back of her parents' linen closet. It's addressed to her father. The sender is Max's sister, Elise—an aunt Beth never knew she had. Haunted by the questions the letter inspires, Beth convinces her siblings and honorary Kaufman, Mack, to roadtrip south, seeking reconciliation with Ash and, unbeknownst to the rest of the family, a face-to-face with Elise.

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All the Things We're Supposed to Be

Recommended by

  • Kirsten Hopkins: All the Things We're Supposed to Be by Laura Hirschberg
    “

    The characters & relationships are all clearly defined within the realistic dialogue and the sparse/efficient stage directions. The grief, familial teasing, sibling structure, repeated mistakes and the yearning to choose differently are all highly relatable. I found this play extremely easy and fun to read and enjoyed imagining all the possibilities the playwright allows for staging it. The characters are juicy, richly developed and flawed and sweet and funny--this play is an actor's dream!

    The characters & relationships are all clearly defined within the realistic dialogue and the sparse/efficient stage directions. The grief, familial teasing, sibling structure, repeated mistakes and the yearning to choose differently are all highly relatable. I found this play extremely easy and fun to read and enjoyed imagining all the possibilities the playwright allows for staging it. The characters are juicy, richly developed and flawed and sweet and funny--this play is an actor's dream!

    ”
  • Jewish Plays Project: All the Things We're Supposed to Be by Laura Hirschberg
    “

    The Jewish Plays Project encourages ALL THE THINGS WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE as a Honorable Mention for the 11th annual Jewish Playwriting Contest. This play sparked a rigorous discussion with our community of readers as an exciting, engaging, and moving play that resonated with contemporary Jewish life. ALL THE THINGS WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE rose to the top out of 250 plays, and we hope this piece finds opportunities for further development so this contemporary Jewish story can reach new audiences.

    The Jewish Plays Project encourages ALL THE THINGS WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE as a Honorable Mention for the 11th annual Jewish Playwriting Contest. This play sparked a rigorous discussion with our community of readers as an exciting, engaging, and moving play that resonated with contemporary Jewish life. ALL THE THINGS WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE rose to the top out of 250 plays, and we hope this piece finds opportunities for further development so this contemporary Jewish story can reach new audiences.

    ”

Character Information

  • HENRY KAUFMAN
    The oldest Kaufman sibling. Responsible, steady.
    Late 30s
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • JEN KAUFMAN
    The one who holds all the pieces together.
    Early 30s
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • ASH KAUFMAN
    Once a dreamy weirdo, now a music store clerk.
    Late 20s
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • BETH KAUFMAN
    The baby of the family. And the idealist of the family.
    Mid-20s
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • MACK
    A friend who is practically part of the family.
    Early 30s
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • MARTIN
    Ash's only friend in Richmond.
    Early 30s
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • ELISE BECKETT
    Max Kaufman's sister.
    Early 60s
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Awards