Take Care

by Ryan Oliveira

An undocumented Brazilian woman, Selene, has taken Martinha, the daughter of a friend from Brazil, under her wing to take care of a widowed American billionairess. Selene teaches Martinha how to work and be a “perfect American”, much to Martinha’s resistance. But the pressure to survive throws their relationship in jeopardy as work grows more difficult and their widow grows more aware of their tenuous existence.

An undocumented Brazilian woman, Selene, has taken Martinha, the daughter of a friend from Brazil, under her wing to take care of a widowed American billionairess. Selene teaches Martinha how to work and be a “perfect American”, much to Martinha’s resistance. But the pressure to survive throws their relationship in jeopardy as work grows more difficult and their widow grows more aware of their tenuous existence.

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Take Care

Recommended by

  • Britton Buttrill: Take Care by Ryan Oliveira
    “

    A poetic portrayal of longing, faith, loss and intimacy, rendering rich characters with subtle theatricality. Oliveira's attention to language is one the play's strongest qualities, as it refuses to hold the audience's hand in it's invitation to empathy. A play that deserves a wide audience, to remind us that love is anything but transactional.

    A poetic portrayal of longing, faith, loss and intimacy, rendering rich characters with subtle theatricality. Oliveira's attention to language is one the play's strongest qualities, as it refuses to hold the audience's hand in it's invitation to empathy. A play that deserves a wide audience, to remind us that love is anything but transactional.

    ”
  • Eugene O'Neill Theater Center: Take Care by Ryan Oliveira
    “

    It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Ryan Oliveira and their play Take Care as a finalist for our 2020 National Playwrights Conference. This particular work emerged from a highly competitive, anonymous, and multi-tiered selection process to become one of 63 finalists out of more than 1,500 submissions. This enthralling piece galvanized the hearts and theatrical imaginations of our reading teams and is fully championed by our offices. We are honored to put our enthusiastic support behind this writer and their ongoing contributions to the American Theater.

    It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Ryan Oliveira and their play Take Care as a finalist for our 2020 National Playwrights Conference. This particular work emerged from a highly competitive, anonymous, and multi-tiered selection process to become one of 63 finalists out of more than 1,500 submissions. This enthralling piece galvanized the hearts and theatrical imaginations of our reading teams and is fully championed by our offices. We are honored to put our enthusiastic support behind this writer and their ongoing contributions to the American Theater.

    ”
1 Latina woman, 20s
1 Latina woman, 50s
1 white woman, 70s

Development History

  • Reading, Austin Latinx New Play Festival, 2020

Awards

  • New Harmony Project Development Conference
    Finalist
    2020