Moreno

Luis Moreno, a star running back, is focused on his game and paycheck, but when a destructive new reality hits close to home, he is forced to ask whether politics have a place on the field and if he is willing to risk his career to take a stand for his community.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 100 pages
Publication date: 01 March 2022
Publisher: Samuel French Ltd

Winner! 2020 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award
August 2016. The NFL is being shaken by Colin Kaepernick's monumental decision. Whilst other players join him in taking the knee, star running back Luis Moreno is all about his game - and his pay check. A record-breaking season is in sight - but America's leadership is changing. When a destructive new reality hits close to home, Luis is forced to ask whether politics have a place on the field, and if he is willing to risk his career to take a stand for his own community. But does, and should, this movement hold a place for them?

Pravin Wilkins' stunning debut play was the winner of the 2020 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award. It was chosen out of 1,719 scripts sent in from 45 countries by a group of independent readers, the 503 team, and a panel comprising Erica Whyman (Chair of Theatre503 and deputy artistic director, RSC), producer Caro Newling, actor/director Daniel Evans, arts journalist and reviewer Sam Marlowe, playwrights Roy Williams and Vinay Patel, and Theatre503 artistic director Lisa Spirling.

The play explores the complex relationship between sports, politics, and social justice, and asks whether athletes can use their platform to effect change in their communities. Luis, a talented running back, is faced with the decision of whether to join the growing movement of players taking a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality. However, he is also concerned about the impact this movement could have on his career and his personal life.

As the season progresses, Luis becomes increasingly involved in the political activism surrounding the NFL. He meets with other players, activists, and community leaders to discuss the issues and brainstorm ways to bring about change. However, he soon realizes that the movement is not without its challenges and conflicts. Some players and fans are supportive of the movement, while others are critical and even hostile.

Luis also faces personal struggles as he tries to balance his activism with his responsibilities as a player and a family man. He struggles with the pressure to perform on the field and the fear of losing his job or his place in the league. He also faces criticism from his teammates and coaches, who view his activism as a distraction and a threat to the team's success.

Despite these challenges, Luis remains committed to his cause. He believes that sports have the power to bring people together and to inspire change, and he is determined to use his platform to make a difference in his community. He continues to take a knee during the national anthem, and he speaks out publicly about the issues that he cares about.

The play is a powerful exploration of the intersection of sports, politics, and social justice, and it raises important questions about the role of athletes in society and society as a whole. It is a must-see for anyone who is interested in these issues and in the power of art to inspire change.

In conclusion, Pravin Wilkins' debut play, "Winner! 2020 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award," is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the complex relationship between sports, politics, and social justice. It is a must-see for anyone who is interested in these issues and in the power of art to inspire change. The play's success is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of theatre to bring people together and to challenge their perspectives on the world around them.

ISBN-13: 9780573709852