By: James Manley
These two one-act plays explore themes of immigration and unexpected connections, offering a glimpse into the power of two-character storytelling in a double bill.
Out of over 300 submissions from across the U.S. and U.K., two plays have emerged as standouts in Urban Stages’ prestigious Dynamic Duos Playwriting Competition. This season, the Off-Broadway company celebrates the power of two-character plays with a full production of The Audit by Lynda Crawford and The American Dream by Juan Ramirez, Jr. These two distinct and compelling works will take the stage together in a special double bill, offering an exciting theatrical experience.
Frances Hill, Artistic Director of Urban Stages, expressed her excitement about these winning plays, stating, “At Urban Stages, we are committed to amplifying new voices in theater, and the response to our Dynamic Duos competition was nothing short of inspiring. Reading over 300 submissions from the U.S. and U.K. reinforced that theater is thriving everywhere. We are thrilled to bring The Audit and The American Dream to life and champion the next generation of playwrights.”
While vastly different in tone and subject matter, both plays explore deeply personal journeys of connection, resilience, and survival.
Written by Juan Ramirez, Jr., The American Dream follows Corina, a hopeful immigrant navigating her journey with the help of Efren, a resourceful smuggler, as she crosses the border into the U.S. The play explores the high stakes of immigration, not just as a physical journey but as an emotional and ethical reckoning.
“I wanted to write a play that was raw and unapologetic,” Ramirez explains. “You have to decide what the hope in the story will look like—will it be bleak, or will it let the audience go too easily? My mission is to close the distance between the audience and these experiences.”
The two-hander format posed a unique challenge for Ramirez, who is also performing in the production as Efren. “Playing Efren means so much to me. I’ve lived with this character for 15 years. As both the playwright and actor, I get to experience the play on a macro and micro level. I can make real-time changes and immediately feel their impact on stage.”
At its core, The American Dream asks audiences to confront their own perspectives on immigration. “The play demands the audience to face their worldview, no matter what side of the aisle they’re on. Theater makes the world around us more personal, and that’s what I aim to do.”
Lynda Crawford’s The Audit takes a seemingly mundane premise—a tax audit—and transforms it into an unexpectedly moving story of human connection. The play follows a no-nonsense IRS auditor, who is also a returning military veteran, as she encounters an aging hippie songwriter. Through their tense yet revealing interactions, the characters discover shared vulnerabilities and unexpected common ground.
Crawford was first inspired to write the play when a musician friend told her he was being audited. “My first reaction was to feel sorry for the auditor,” she recalls. “That made me laugh, and I started writing. But as the characters took shape, the story became much deeper, touching on issues of trauma, resilience, and unexpected bonds.”
The production, directed by Leigh Selting, stars Joel Ripka and Disnie Sebastien. “It’s been wonderful to discover the insights these two brilliant actors have brought to their characters,” Crawford says. “The play is about how easy it is not to see the sorrow and yearning beneath the surface of the next person. Ultimately, we cannot begin to know one another until we attempt to know one another.”
With The Audit and The American Dream, Urban Stages presents an evening of theater that is both thought-provoking and deeply human. While one play leans into high-stakes drama and the other into quiet revelation, both explore the fragile and powerful connections that shape our lives.
Frances Hill, Artistic Director of Urban Stages, expressed her excitement about these winning plays, stating, “Selecting these plays from such a strong pool of submissions was no easy task. We sought works that reflected diverse perspectives and resonated with contemporary audiences. In the end, we chose a comedy, The Audit, and a drama, The American Dream, for their powerful storytelling and unique voices. We are thrilled to bring them to life.”
With performances beginning on February 22, 2025, and opening night set for February 27 at Urban Stages (259 West 30th Street, NYC), this Dynamic Duos double bill is set to be one of the season’s compelling theatrical events. Tickets and more information can be found at urbanstages.org.
Published by Elle G.
