The Permanent Collection (formerly, Invasive Species)

by Tori Keenan-Zelt

A play-in-progress by Tori Keenan-Zelt and Elinor T Vanderburg, developed with and directed by Portia Krieger.

What’s a museum for?

THE PERMANENT COLLECTION is an exploration of our relationships to the cultural and scientific institutions that framed the world for us. It's about how we experienced the American Museum of Natural History as kids, and how our kids experience it now. And it's the story of...

A play-in-progress by Tori Keenan-Zelt and Elinor T Vanderburg, developed with and directed by Portia Krieger.

What’s a museum for?

THE PERMANENT COLLECTION is an exploration of our relationships to the cultural and scientific institutions that framed the world for us. It's about how we experienced the American Museum of Natural History as kids, and how our kids experience it now. And it's the story of friendship between a white mom and a Black soon-to-be-mom in the End Times (aka our time).

The museum sorts us into categories: colonized and colonizers. What does it take to break down these categories? Should the museum exist at all? What else could we put in its place? Also, successful institutions are notoriously good at resisting change. So could we even destroy the museum if we wanted to?

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The Permanent Collection (formerly, Invasive Species)

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  • Premiere Stages at Kean University: The Permanent Collection (formerly, Invasive Species) by Tori Keenan-Zelt
    “

    Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Invasive Species” by Tori Keenan-Zelt as a Semi-Finalist for the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. “Invasive Species” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 40 Semi-Finalists out of 701 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the play’s engagement with questions of colonialism, story, and responsibility - it is a piece that calls us all in. Our congratulations and thanks to Tori.

    Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Invasive Species” by Tori Keenan-Zelt as a Semi-Finalist for the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. “Invasive Species” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 40 Semi-Finalists out of 701 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the play’s engagement with questions of colonialism, story, and responsibility - it is a piece that calls us all in. Our congratulations and thanks to Tori.

    ”
CHARACTERS (prob played by 6 actors total—ask us how!)
YOUNG GENEVIEVE (F, Black, 10) A cool, world-weary know-it-all. Has it all figured out.
YOUNG GEORGIA (F, Black, 6) Little sister of Genevieve, whom she looks up to unfalteringly. Innocent, and
trying to make sense of the world.
ADULT GEORGIA (F, Black, 36) Now seven months pregnant with her first child. Less innocent. Still trying to
make sense of the world.
KATE (F, white, 36) A careful NYC mom who is trying very hard not to be as privileged as she is--to do being a
white woman right.
ESME (F, white, 7) Kate’s daughter. Curious, eager, and a little bit entitled. But then, the world is a little bit made
for little girls like her.
DOCENT (F, Black, 50s) - A lifetime member of Jack and Jill. Never misses church. Loves children. Loves sharing
her love of history with them.
INFO ATTENDANT (F, white, teens) - Really just doing this to get into college.
MIA (F, white Latinx, 30s) - Always. Be. Closing.
SECURITY GUARD (M, white, 50s+) A proud fixture of law and order at the AMNH.
EGUNGUN (M, Black, Age Unknown) A ceremonial dancer displayed in the AMNH's Hall of African Peoples.
SAMANTHA (F, white, ageless cause she’s an American Girl doll) -- the Posh Spice of American Girl dolls. Regina
George energy.
MOLLY (F, white, ageless cause she’s an American Girl doll) -- the one with glasses. Tries too hard. Is always a bit
disappointing.
RACHEL TWILIGHT (F, vaguely indigenous, ageless cause she’s a doll but not an American Girl doll) -- wields the
power of wry detachment.
WHITE NAZI CHORUS (flex)
SECURITY GUARD CHORUS (flex)
NAZI DAD (M, white, 50s+) -- also Kate's dad. Captain Von Trapp vibes.
DINO DIVA (flex, ageless)

Development History

Awards