Gaitana

by Gabriela Tovar-Borghini

The year is 1530. Guaitipan has now been the Cacique, or tribal leader, of the Andaqui people alone for many years. She loves her people, her land, and her son Timanco, who she is training to take over the tribe after her. But just when everything seems peaceful, strange new people have come to her land, white humans who claim to be from across the water. This play follows the incredible true story of la Gaitana...

The year is 1530. Guaitipan has now been the Cacique, or tribal leader, of the Andaqui people alone for many years. She loves her people, her land, and her son Timanco, who she is training to take over the tribe after her. But just when everything seems peaceful, strange new people have come to her land, white humans who claim to be from across the water. This play follows the incredible true story of la Gaitana and her resistance to colonization; And how violence can be a necessity in revolution.

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Gaitana

Recommended by

  • Playwrights Foundation: Gaitana by Gabriela Tovar-Borghini
    “

    The community of National Committee readers for the 47th Bay Area Playwrights Festival advanced Gaitana as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation. We found this script to be ambitious in both its striking representation of Indigenous perspectives and its usage of Indigenous language. 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 Gaitana as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation. We found this script to be ambitious in both its striking representation of Indigenous perspectives and its usage of Indigenous language. We hope this play is considered for further development and investigation, and finds dedicated collaborators in this play’s journey towards production.

    ”

Character Information

3 Women, 5 Men
  • Guaitipan/ Gaitana
    Middle aged straight Andaqui woman. The cacique of the Andaqui tribe, of the Chibcha people. Friend of Gods and men, revered and respected. A good leader, and a loving mother
    30s-40s
    Indigenous Latina
    Female
    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
      Woman
  • Timanco
    19 year old straight Andaqui boy. Son of the cacique. Sweet and responsible. Respects his family and his people above all
    Early 20s
    Indigenous Latino
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Kamini
    Middle aged straight Andaqui woman. Best friend of the cacique. She is loyal, fierce, and cautious. Mother to Jataa and Sahii
    30s-40s
    Indigenous Latina
    Female
    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
      Woman
  • Jataa
    18 year old queer half-Muisca, half-Andaqui boy. Best friend of Timanco. Fun and free
    18-22
    Indigenous Latino
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Sahii
    18 year old straight half-Muisca, half-Andaqui girl. Future wife of Timanco. Witty and grounded
    18-22
    Indigenous Latina
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Pedro de Añasco
    Middle aged straight Spanish man. The conquistador who arrived in the Chibcha region of Colombia. Militant and aggressive
    30s-40s
    White,
    Hispanic
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Philip
    Mid-20s straight English man. A historian who was banished from his previous voyages, and is now employed by Spain instead. Obsessive but extremely intelligent
    20s-30s
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Nicolas
    Early-20s gay Spanish man. A soldier who was banished for the king’s guard for his sin, but too valuable to kill
    20-25
    White,
    Hispanic
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man

Development History

Awards