how to make an American Son; the strangers; a cautionary tail

“Transcending 20th-century notions of race and culture, peña’s work succeeds in simultaneously touching our hearts, stimulating our minds, and examining our society.” - David Henry Hwang

christopher oscar peña is a Latinx American playwright and screenwriter whose works frequently focus on stories that deal with bicultural identities, sexuality, and growing up in the modern world. In this first collected works, three of his plays are brought together, with an introduction by director Mark Armstrong. Together they offer a progressive and formally inventive collection of work to inspire theatre makers, actors and students alike.

how to make an American Son: A “Model Immigrant” and business mogul, Honduran-born Mando’s cleaning empire is bracing for a downturn at the exact same moment when he must rein in his over-privileged American son, Orlando. A moving coming-of-age comedy about the complexities of privilege, citizenship, sexual identity, and the most complex relationship of all: family.

the strangers: Cris returns to a place he once used to know, only to find a world he no longer recognizes. As he connects with a new stranger tasked to show him around town, an unexpected spark challenges all of Cris’ preconceived notions.

a cautionary tail: First generation Chinese-Americans growing up in New York City, siblings Vivienne and Luke confront their confused tangle of family, their diverse array of friends, and their rampant sexuality. In our digital age, how can they navigate the traditional expectations of their mother with their American culture of individuality?