howling
in a winter scene, a layer of snow blankets the forest floor and a gorgeous black, brown, and gray wolf howls into the sky, her eyes closed against the cold.
Once upon a time…
…there was a little girl lost in the woods…
As a child, Birdie spent her time playing in the woods, escaping an emotionally abusive home with make-believe. Now in her 30s, Birdie has been diagnosed as Autistic, and she’s struggling with whether or not to reveal this diagnosis with her partner, Lin, who is about to meet Birdie’s parents for the first time. Meanwhile, Birdie’s memories and dreams are bleeding into her waking reality as she tries to keep the wolf at the door.
finalist for the O’Neill NPC 2023
finalist for Bay Street Theatre’s Title Wave New Play Festival 2023
finalist for Normal Avenue’s NAP Series 2023
semifinalist for the Dramatist Guild Foundation’s Digital Playwriting Fellowship 2023
semifinalist for the Blue Ink Award 2024
characters
BIRDIE, in the middle of her 30s, has just received her Autism dx, and she’s on the verge of a meltdown.
LIN is… stressed. At nearly 40, the clock is ticking on her womb and she’s already lost one kid. She’s neurotypical.
MAL, Birdie’s father, is probably Autistic, let’s be real, but he doesn’t know it, of course. He’s got this rx for ADHD meds, though, but they keep disappearing. He’s probably in his 70s.
MONA is ever the hostess and welcomes her daughter and soon-to-be daughter-in-law into her home with open arms. 60s, neurotypical.
SY, Birdie’s Autistic therapist, feels a connection to Birdie that he can’t quite shake - but he would never, never never never, cross any lines. Never. He’s in his 40s.
WOLF is exactly what she seems to be - and she’s o so very hungry.