Mother of Exiles

by Jessica Huang

In 1898 California, a pregnant Eddie Loi faces deportation. In 1998 Miami, her grandson Braulio accidentally summons her spirit while patrolling the border. In 2063 somewhere on the ocean, their descendants try to survive the climate crisis. An epic multigenerational tale of sacrifice, love and survival that spans 150 years in 90 minutes.

In 1898 California, a pregnant Eddie Loi faces deportation. In 1998 Miami, her grandson Braulio accidentally summons her spirit while patrolling the border. In 2063 somewhere on the ocean, their descendants try to survive the climate crisis. An epic multigenerational tale of sacrifice, love and survival that spans 150 years in 90 minutes.

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Mother of Exiles

Recommended by

  • National New Play Network: Mother of Exiles by Jessica Huang
    “

    Mother of Exiles by Jessica Huang was featured in NNPN's 2020 National Showcase of New Plays.

    Mother of Exiles by Jessica Huang was featured in NNPN's 2020 National Showcase of New Plays.

    ”
  • Nick Malakhow: Mother of Exiles by Jessica Huang
    “

    What an exquisite play that will haunt me for quite some time! The economy of language is just so incredible. Huang's dialogue is lyrical, yet straightforward; everyday and profound all at once. The symmetry and recurring themes, characters, and concepts between each scene is all just so brilliantly put together. Its grounding in three time periods allows Huang to create very distinct moments and characters while also expansively exploring immigration, existential concerns about the future, family, identity, race, and so much more. I'd love to see this vivid theatrical world rendered onstage.

    What an exquisite play that will haunt me for quite some time! The economy of language is just so incredible. Huang's dialogue is lyrical, yet straightforward; everyday and profound all at once. The symmetry and recurring themes, characters, and concepts between each scene is all just so brilliantly put together. Its grounding in three time periods allows Huang to create very distinct moments and characters while also expansively exploring immigration, existential concerns about the future, family, identity, race, and so much more. I'd love to see this vivid theatrical world rendered onstage.

    ”
  • Leah Roth Barsanti: Mother of Exiles by Jessica Huang
    “

    WOW WOW WOW! I just saw the PlayLabs reading of this play and I cannot recommend it enough. Huang deftly deals with issues of generational trauma, immigration, family, love, and loss in this truly beautiful piece. Any of the three scenes could be great stand-alone plays, but put together, they are nothing short of a masterpiece. I laughed, I cried, I even sang! What a truly fabulous and necessary play!

    WOW WOW WOW! I just saw the PlayLabs reading of this play and I cannot recommend it enough. Huang deftly deals with issues of generational trauma, immigration, family, love, and loss in this truly beautiful piece. Any of the three scenes could be great stand-alone plays, but put together, they are nothing short of a masterpiece. I laughed, I cried, I even sang! What a truly fabulous and necessary play!

    ”
View all 4 recommendations
EDDIE LOI Chinese Woman, 19... aka Loi Zi Hou (雷志豪), aka Loi Wai Jan (雷慧欣). Speaks with a Cantonese accent.
GUARD White Man, 50s/60s. Speaks with an American accent.
TATA Latina Woman, late 20s/30s. Speaks with a Mexican accent.
MISSIONARY Mixed-race Woman 50s/60s, with Asian features. Speaks with a barely discernible Cantonese accent.
MIDWIFE Mixed-race Woman, 30s. Speaks with an American accent.
MODESTO Mexican Man, late 20s/30s. Speaks with a Mexican accent.
MICK White Man, late 50s/early 60s. Speaks with an American accent.
SOFÍA Mixed-race Woman, early 30s. Speaks with an American accent.
BRAULIO LOI Mixed race (Chinese/Mexican/Ukranian/Malaysian) Man, 36. Speaks with American accent.
CLAUDIA LÓPEZ Cuban Woman, late 20s early 30s. Speaks with a Cuban accent.
SARGE Mixed race Woman, of indeterminate age. Speaks with an American accent.
KARINA LÓPEZ-LOI Cuban American Woman, 66. Speaks with an American accent.
HENRY White Man, late 50s/60s. Speaks with an American accent.
MIMI LÓPEZ-LOI Miamian Woman, 30s. Speaks with an American accent.

This play requires six actors. Please double as follows:
Eddie Loi
Modesto/Braulio Loi
Guard/Mick/Henry
Tata/Claudia López
Missionary/Sarge/Karina López-Loi
Midwife/Sofía/Mimi López-Loi

Development History

  • Reading, The New Group, 2020
  • Reading, PlayLabs The Playwrights Center , 2020
  • Workshop, The Old Globe, 2019
  • Workshop, New York Stage and Film's Fall Season, 2019
  • Residency, Hedgebrook Womens Playwrights Festival,
  • Reading, Chance Theater's On the Radar Series,

Awards