When Silence Speaks:
A play about silence, survival, and the moment truth becomes louder than fear.
Content Warnings
When Silence Speaks is an unflinching portrayal of trauma, truth, and the fragile pathways to healing. Set in the tense, shifting atmosphere of a fractured home, the play follows seventeen-year-old Mindy—selectively verbal and emotionally tuned to the smallest signals of safety—as she navigates a world where silence is both shield and scar.
Surrounded by complicated love, buried secrets, and the quiet violence of neglect, Mindy’s voice becomes the battleground. Through broken toys, childhood loyalties, and the steady presence of those who choose to stay, the play reveals what happens when survival is no longer enough—and a whisper becomes a reckoning.
This original Canadian work examines the impact of generational pain, the courage it takes to speak, and the unexpected power of being heard. It is a story for anyone who has ever felt unseen… and dared to make themselves visible.
A new work by Lee-Anna Semenyna
When Silence Speaks contains themes and depictions that may be distressing to some audience members, including:
Domestic violence (verbal, emotional, and implied physical)
Alcoholism and substance abuse
Psychological trauma and gaslighting
Selective mutism and emotional withdrawal
Verbal aggression and adult language
Depictions of emotional neglect
References to a car accident involving injury
These elements are portrayed with emotional realism and care, centred on the survivor’s journey toward truth and safety. Audiences are encouraged to care for themselves during and after the performance.
Recommended for audiences aged 14 and above
An Original Canadian Play
Cast
MINDY (17, female-presenting)
Selectively verbal and highly observant. A quiet force of resilience who notices everything—and carries more than anyone knows.
EVAN (19, male-presenting)
Mindy’s older brother and protector. A former football star grappling with pain, purpose, and the weight of family loyalty.
CHERYL (mid-late 40s, female-presenting)
Their mother. A woman split between softness and survival, loving her children the only way she knows how—even when it hurts them.
BRAD (late 40s–early 50s, male-presenting)
Their father. A functioning alcoholic whose charm curdles quickly. Believes love can be performed, even as harm is done.
CLEO (17, female-presenting)
Mindy’s best friend. Quirky, loyal, and brave enough to stand between Mindy and the dark—even when it means getting burned.
STEVE (19, male-presenting)
Evan’s best friend. A goofy jock with surprising tenderness. Learns what it means to protect someone with heart, not just strength.
Contact
For production inquiries, collaborations, or to share your thoughts, please reach out to us at:
heartandashproductions@gmail.com
