Out of the Wings

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NN12 (2007-2008), Gracia Morales Ortiz

Scene

The play is divided into 16 scenes.

Staging

NN12 is set in two locations that occupy different areas on stage. These are the forensic pathology laboratory and Ernesto’s living room area. The pathology lab contains an examination table with bones on it. At the beginning of the play a projector displays photographs of a mass grave on to a screen. Later, photographs of NN12’s life are projected. They include pictures of her as a young blonde woman with her mother and other family members, as well as a photograph of her with a school class she taught. Ernesto’s living room contains photographs of his own family.

The amount of space that the lab and Ernesto’s room occupy respectively changes throughout the play. These changes are signified by the lighting levels. At the beginning of the play, the lab is prominently lit while only a small area of Ernesto’s living room is lit. Later, when Esteban visits his father, we see much more of Ernesto’s living room. In scene 15, Ernesto’s area is fully lit and overlaps with the laboratory.

The forensic pathologist uses a Dictaphone to record her findings. At several points we hear her recorded voice. In scene 10 the offstage voice of Irene Cabriel, NN12’s fellow inmate, is heard reading out the letters she wrote to NN12’s parents.

Cast number
Minimum Maximum
2 males 2 males
2 females 3 females
4 (total) 5 (total)
Characters
  • PATHOLOGIST, Female in her thirties
  • NN, Female, 31 years old
  • ESTEBAN, 27 years old
  • ERNESTO, 62 years old
  • FEMALE VOICE

Entry written by Gwynneth Dowling. Last updated on 28 October 2011.

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