The First Three

by Maya De La Rosa-Cohen

Three queer trailblazers take on an unprecedented legal battle in 1990’s San Francisco. What will they give up to gain guardianship over their daughter?

Soon after the birth of their daughter, Hannah, Elizabeth and Charlie discover that there are only two guardianship lines available on her birth certificate: one for parent 1 and one for parent 2. Against the odds, they decide to take their case of equal...

Three queer trailblazers take on an unprecedented legal battle in 1990’s San Francisco. What will they give up to gain guardianship over their daughter?

Soon after the birth of their daughter, Hannah, Elizabeth and Charlie discover that there are only two guardianship lines available on her birth certificate: one for parent 1 and one for parent 2. Against the odds, they decide to take their case of equal guardianship to the California courts where a harsh conservative judge from Texas will decide their fate. Amidst a backdrop of an emerging AIDS crisis and a growing political debate on family values, The First Three tells a true story of love, determination and perseverance.

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The First Three

Recommended by

  • Playwrights Foundation: The First Three by Maya De La Rosa-Cohen
    “

    The Playwrights Foundation Bay Area literary council readers advanced The First Three as a finalist for the 47th Bay Area Playwrights Festival.

    We responded strongly to the thorny, human conflicts at the core of this script. Written from a place of real compassion, this script is a compelling (and deeply Bay Area) story that drew our readers in.

    We hope this play is considered for further development and investigation, and finds dedicated collaborators in its journey towards production.

    The Playwrights Foundation Bay Area literary council readers advanced The First Three as a finalist for the 47th Bay Area Playwrights Festival.

    We responded strongly to the thorny, human conflicts at the core of this script. Written from a place of real compassion, this script is a compelling (and deeply Bay Area) story that drew our readers in.

    We hope this play is considered for further development and investigation, and finds dedicated collaborators in its journey towards production.

    ”

Character Information

  • Fae
    Young woman searching for answers. Hair that screams: ethnically ambiguous.
    20-30
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Hannah
    Fae's mother. Strong willed, brunette.
    40s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Elizabeth
    Fae’s mother. Soft tempered with a honeyed voice.
    40s
    Hispanic
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Charlie
    Fae’s father. Unapologetically camp with a light Italian accent.
    40s
    Italian
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Lori
    Hard-headed lawyer. Doesn’t like to take no for an answer.
    40s
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
  • Marcie
    Lori’s colleague. Brunette or redhead.
    40s
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
  • Nurse
    Outwardly cheerful, inwardly bitter.
    (Can be played by the same actor as LORI or MARCIE).
    Any age
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Judge
    Conservative judge from Texas. Tough exterior, but not short of empathy. (Can be played by the same actor as LORI or MARCIE).
    Any age
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+

Development History

Awards