Exploring New Work: Worry Dolls by a Worried Playwright
February 12, 2025 | By Maya Malan-Gonzalez
On Sunday February 9th a group of actors and friends gathered at Studio Luna for the first reading of my new script Worry Dolls.
This play was first produced as a one act with 4 actors in 2023 at Milagro, but I soon knew I wanted it to be something much larger. The nplaay centers on two 11 year old best friends. But with the time restrictions, the first version really only focused on one of the friends, Luz- so in this second go at it, I dug deep and expanded Sonia’s story. This new version is a two act play, with an expanded cast of six actors and a whole lot more magic! This new play will be produced this fall at Milagro directed by Alexandra Meda. In March Alex and I will be traveling to Portland for an extended workshop and public reading- but before we get there- I needed to hear it out loud with some really talented actors, who also coincidentally happen to be great friends.
Was I nervous?
Absolutely!
Hearing your words out loud for the first time (not in your own voice) brings forth a blend of excitement and, “oh my god, what if it’s not as good as I think, and what if everyone hates it but feels like they have to be polite, and what if all my friends leave this reading thinking I tell lame stories?!?!?!”
In the room we had Alicia Coca, Raul Cardona, Zia Carrasco Cardona, Estela Garcia, Juniper Sancho, and Tony Sancho.
This reading was unique for me as a playwright because it’s the first time I have ever had young actors participate in reading my work- and boy was I hoping they liked it- kids can after all be super brutal. But these two young actresses were an absolute joy in the space- and by joy, I mean, they didn’t make me feel like an out of touch loser. Maybe my bar was a little low? But in all realness, I was genuinely curious how my written words would land for young actors. There were moments that I was worried I went too far and was maybe asking too much of a young actor. But after doing this reading, I see that was ALL IN MY HEAD. Why was I underestimating them? They can handle it. Which means, I can go much father!
Sometimes you just need to shake it off! Actors Tony Sancho and Raul Cardona get up during the read to do some somatic exercises.
One thing is always certain for me, I worry about this and that and in the end, when everyone clearly has had a good time, I am filled with relief. This experience was no different.
The main purpose of this reading was development. This was by no means one of those situations in which I felt my play was ready to go and I just wanted to hear it, I knew there was still work to go, I had some place holder moments that I knew still needed refining- and one very big question ping ponged through my mind- do we want to see the Worry Dolls battle an actual worry monster? After finishing the reading, I received confirmation from Alex, WE ABSOLUTELY DO! My mind quickly started turning and before my car was even parked at home I knew exactly what I wanted to add.
So what the heck is this play about?
Worry Dolls follows two best friends, Luz and Sonia, navigating middle school together. These girls tell each other everything- but everyone has their secrets and their worries. Both girls are bombarded by the anxiety of growing up-, not to mention the trauma and grief they are still processing from the Covid pandemic. While Sonia struggles with the grief of her mother’s passing, Luz’s world opens up when a set of gifted Guatemalan worry dolls come to life and battle her Worry Monster.
This play is filled with humor, an imaginary news reporter reporting on all things anxiety, a talking emotional support pug, and little mental health tips and tricks. There’s something for everyone in this show. It may be about two 11 year olds, but we all have worries and mental health coping skills have no age limit.
If you’re in the Portland area March 19th, 2025 come to Milagro to see what we have been up to!