THE CAPITALIST AND THE FACTORY WORKER, or the Invisible Hand of God Touched Me In a Bad Place

by David Davila

[FULL LENGTH] When mid-level manager Jaime Ramirez gets the promotion of a lifetime, he’s sure moving his family to central Mexico will change their lives for the better. But his plans are turned on their head when he falls for his employee, a queer femme presenting non-binary AMAB person set on changing working conditions and extinguishing American capitalist ideals. Should he fire them and squash their labor...

[FULL LENGTH] When mid-level manager Jaime Ramirez gets the promotion of a lifetime, he’s sure moving his family to central Mexico will change their lives for the better. But his plans are turned on their head when he falls for his employee, a queer femme presenting non-binary AMAB person set on changing working conditions and extinguishing American capitalist ideals. Should he fire them and squash their labor rebellion, risking a sexual harassment suit in the process, or should he join the fight against his greedy employers and sacrifice the fortunes they’ve promised him? It's Boal meets Nottage in this interactive-hybrid-dramedy that casts the audience as the striking factory workers tasked with leveraging these characters' rights for a little piece of power. Choose your own adventure in this post-experimental satire packed with sexual tension you won't soon forget!

Winner of the National New Play Network Smith Prize for Political Theatre.

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THE CAPITALIST AND THE FACTORY WORKER, or the Invisible Hand of God Touched Me In a Bad Place

Recommended by

  • Playwrights Foundation: THE CAPITALIST AND THE FACTORY WORKER, or the Invisible Hand of God Touched Me In a Bad Place by David Davila
    “

    The community of National Committee readers for the 47th Bay Area Playwrights Festival advanced THE CAPITALIST AND THE FACTORY WORKER, or The Invisible Hand of God Touched Me In a Bad Place as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation. We found this script to be structurally daring, fast-paced, and darkly funny. We hope this play is considered for further development and investigation, and finds dedicated collaborators in this play’s journey towards production.

    The community of National Committee readers for the 47th Bay Area Playwrights Festival advanced THE CAPITALIST AND THE FACTORY WORKER, or The Invisible Hand of God Touched Me In a Bad Place as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation. We found this script to be structurally daring, fast-paced, and darkly funny. We hope this play is considered for further development and investigation, and finds dedicated collaborators in this play’s journey towards production.

    ”
  • Lana Scott Stringer: THE CAPITALIST AND THE FACTORY WORKER, or the Invisible Hand of God Touched Me In a Bad Place by David Davila
    “

    This is SUCH a cool play! The structure itself and the way it plays with the concept of audience and integrates them into the storytelling is so creative and effective. The playwright’s tone is forthright and candid about themes that are alarmingly present and urgent. I would love to see this production.

    This is SUCH a cool play! The structure itself and the way it plays with the concept of audience and integrates them into the storytelling is so creative and effective. The playwright’s tone is forthright and candid about themes that are alarmingly present and urgent. I would love to see this production.

    ”

Character Information

  • JAIME
    A middle-aged, Mexican-American man who doesn't speak Spanish. Wants what he feels he is due. (Actor must be an expert improviser)
    Thirties/Forties
    Latino,
    Latino -- Mexican
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • ALEJA
    a queer, femme presenting, non-binary, AMAB person,Mexican. A factory worker who believes in what's right. (Actor must be an expert improviser)
    Twenties/Thirties
    Latino,
    Latino -- Mexican
    Non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary
  • THE TRAINER
    a queer Latiné AFAB person with excellent hosting skills who acts as our narrator and plays many characters throughout the piece. (Actor must be an expert improviser)
    Thirties/Forties
    Latino
    Non-binary,
    Cis female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary

Development History

Awards