←Recommendations of Liberation

Alaina Tennant is absolutely one of the best writers of historical drama. In LIBERATION, she skillfully uses every bit of the 10 minutes to shine a light on past horrors and injustices and remind us why it’s important for us to remember.

Jewish Plays Project recommends LIBERATION as a Semi-Finalist for our first Ten Minute Play Contest OOF: On One Foot, which searched nationally for plays from artists of all backgrounds responding to our prompt on healing & repair. LIBERATION made a strong impact on our community of readers for the Festival of New Jewish Theatre in 2024, who connected with its current relevance and how it theatrically expressed the contest theme of healing & repair.

Liberation is a powerful and moving exploration of history, identity, and the human condition. Tennant’s rich dialogue brings to life the emotional struggle of two men confronting their pasts and the contradictions of fighting for freedom. A thought-provoking piece that resonates long after the final word.

This is a gripping play that accomplishes so much in ten minutes. Tennant tailors each moment to the story at hand and lets the dialogue guide the action naturally, which adds to the authenticity of the piece and the characters. An incredibly moving and powerful piece of theatre.

Alaina Tennant’s talent as a playwright shines through in “Liberation.” Her ability to craft deeply emotional and thought-provoking scenes is remarkable. She captures the essence of human struggle, resilience, and connection through nuanced dialogue. Tennant skillfully weaves historical context with personal stories, inviting audiences to reflect on themes of identity, suffering, and hope. Her attention to detail, especially in the quiet moments and tough conversations, allows actors to inhabit their characters fully. “Liberation” is a beacon to Tennant’s skill in creating impactful and memorable theater experiences.

The sign of a truly engaging work is that it leaves you wanting more. The horrific circumstances, the events, the dilemma, the irony - all are carried in the souls of the characters, who are so humanly drawn. Painfully told, yet necessary. Kudos!

It's of course important to continue to make work like this to shine a light on the darkest part of humanity. However, Tennant doesn't stop there. This piece has so much of an exploration of the human condition that it was incredibly gripping to read and experience. The irony presented here is heavy indeed. My head and heart had much to ponder after the reading. It's an incredible piece on many levels, but at its core, it's two humans trying to cope with absolute inhumanity. An inhumanity that we need to liberate ourselves from no matter what it takes.

"Liberation" is a sweet, nuanced, and fresh look at the most horrific period of humanity. Tennant writes with precision and sharpness that makes these characters come to life on the page.