We Are Samurai
3F, 1M, 60mins
After Josephine returns home to find her cats brutally murdered for a crime she committed in a past life, she enlists her boyfriend to help her avenge her cats’ deaths. What follows is a series of small, violent acts that are mundane and yet deeply tragic in their cyclical nature. Rooted in both contemporary suburbia and the historical traditions of Japanese Theatre, We Are Samurai uses cats, iPhones, and simultaneous action to explore age-old questions of agency and entitlement.
We Are Samurai is an immersive suburban revenge tragedy about four twenty-somethings engaging in petty acts of violence in an effort to absolve a millennia-old offense. As the piece unfolds simultaneously across four different playing spaces, it is up to the audience to choose what to witness.
Production History
Venus Theatre, Laurel, MD
133 Street Arts Center, NYC, NY
50 John Street, PVD, RI
Awards and Accolades
named a 2014 best play in professional Theaters by DC MEtro Arts
Published
in Fourth Wall Review
Venus Theatre, Laurel, MD
We are Samurai received its regional premiere at Venus Theatre in Laurel, MD. The show ran from September 5th-September 28th, 2014.
It was named a 2014 Best Play in Professional Theaters by DC Metro Arts.
It was directed by Deborah Randall.
CAST
Regan Daven Ralston
Elias Cathryn Benson
Josephine Ann Fraistat
Rocky Patrick Gorirossi
Dark Samurai Mary Burke-Hueffmeier, Elliott Kashner, Amy Rhodes
PRODUCTION TEAM
Set, Light, and Sound Design Deborah Randall and Amy Rhodes
Costume Design Deborah Randall
Musical Composition Alan Scott
Musical Direction Elliott Kashner
Choreography & Movement Maria Lin Yaffe
Western Medicine & Elemental Guidance Noreen Javornik
Photos Courtesy of Adam S. Lowe Photography.
133rd Street Arts Center, New York, NY
We are Samurai received its New York premiere at the 133rd Street Arts Center Lab from September 26th - October 6th, 2013.
It was directed by Ria T. DiLullo and produced by Marrow’s Edge.
CAST
Regan Rachel M. Lin
Elias Karen Eilbacher
Josephine Tess Avitabile
Rocky Sean Devare
PRODUCTION TEAM
Stage Manager Sarah Haber
Sound Design Paula DiLullo
Lighting Design Matt Bellas
Costume Design Matsy Stinson
Puppet Design Andrew Murdock
Technical Design Jonathan Huggins
Scenic Dressing Andrew Murdock
Set Consultant Artem Kreimer
Production Assistant Michelle Snyder
Poster Design Harrison Densmore
Teaser Design Kelly Carroll
50 John Street, Providence, RI
We are Samurai was first produced at the 50 John Street Workshop Space, Providence, RI. It ran May 6th – May 9th, 2010.
It was co-produced by Rites and Reason Theatre and Brown University’s Department of Theatre and Performing Arts.
It was directed by Erik Ehn, New Dramatist Alumni and Head of Playwriting at Brown University.
CAST
Regan Bari Berger
Elias Michelle Tan
Josephine Madeleine Heil
Rocky Gerrit Thurston
Set Design Michael McGarty
Poster Design Mateo Mancia