THE LIGHT PLACE

by Emma Ashford

THE LIGHT PLACE is a play that explores what’s to gain - or lose - in memory’s absence. Set in a buzzy, brand-new neurotrauma center in upstate New York, the play follows Olivia Turner, a sharp, well-adjusted journalist granted exclusive access to profile this facility’s doctor and their novel memory-erasing treatment using light rays. However, once inside, Olivia contends with her own past, instead: her...

THE LIGHT PLACE is a play that explores what’s to gain - or lose - in memory’s absence. Set in a buzzy, brand-new neurotrauma center in upstate New York, the play follows Olivia Turner, a sharp, well-adjusted journalist granted exclusive access to profile this facility’s doctor and their novel memory-erasing treatment using light rays. However, once inside, Olivia contends with her own past, instead: her estranged father is a patient there. With her father unable to remember the past that split them apart, Olivia must decide whether she will accept him as he is or lose him altogether.

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THE LIGHT PLACE

Recommended by

  • Playwrights Foundation: THE LIGHT PLACE by Emma Ashford
    “

    The community of National Committee readers for the 47th Bay Area Playwrights Festival advanced THE LIGHT PLACE as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation. We leaned into the conceit of the piece–what is the nature of forgetting? When is it a deliberate act?--and into the final scenes of the play, where these themes are put into high relief. We hope this play is considered for further development and investigation, and finds dedicated collaborators in its journey towards production.

    The community of National Committee readers for the 47th Bay Area Playwrights Festival advanced THE LIGHT PLACE as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation. We leaned into the conceit of the piece–what is the nature of forgetting? When is it a deliberate act?--and into the final scenes of the play, where these themes are put into high relief. We hope this play is considered for further development and investigation, and finds dedicated collaborators in its journey towards production.

    ”
AMANDA - 17. An influencer without a platform. Miley-meets-Cardi. A patient at The Light Place.

ERNESTO (ERNIE) - 16. Latinx. Sweet and well-intentioned. Lights up a room. Still going through puberty. A patient at The Light Place.

OLIVIA TURNER - 29. A young journalist. Has meticulously outlined and confirmed her boundaries with a well-paid therapist. Confident in her success and perseverance. A visitor at The Light Place.

KAREN - 42. Trying to get through her unusual 9-5. This wasn’t Plan A. A nurse at The Light Place.

NURSE 1 & 2 (STEVE) - New hires at The Light Place. If needed, Karen can double as Nurse 1.

ED - 68. A Vietnam war vet. Good natured. Think of the old man from “Waiting For Guffman”. A patient at the Light Place.

DR. SARAH HADDAD - 54. In charge. The type of doctor whose breadth of knowledge would be comforting as a heart surgeon but terrifying as a scientist experimenting with mind control. Fiona Shaw meets Elisabeth Holmes (with heart).

JEFF- 63. A handsome, if vacant, man. Has the edge of someone who could be frightening but never quite reveals himself. Has always looked younger than he is, but is now finally aging. A patient at the Light Place.

Development History

  • Reading, King Readings Group, 2022