"New York Forgets"-- A New Play Reading
Written by a 9/11 family member, "New York Forgets" tells the story of Riley Costa, a radicalized 9/11. Survivor working as a museum archivist who attempts to assassinate New York’s first Muslim Councilwoman. However, encounters with other survivors— including a retired FDNY veteran and the Muslim mother of a first responder, serve to challenge his ‘record’ of hate. Will Riley choose to remain stuck in the past or finally join the living? "New York Forgets" will make its world debut in the form of a reading at the Grand Theater at the Producer's Club in New York City on September 10, 2026. We are still seeking three actors. To audition, please send a 1-2 minute video recording of a monologue.
3 roles
Riley as he was in 2001. Innocent, observant, and fundamentally altered by the trauma of the attacks. Appears in flashbacks, memory sequences, and as a psychological presence on stage alongside Adult Riley. Requires an actor capable of conveying profound shock, grief, and vulnerability without melodrama.
A resilient mother, and member of 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows. Her son, a young doctor, died digging for survivors, yet he was targeted by collusion investigations. Zara carries a unique double-grief; the loss of her son, and the betrayal of her country. She possesses a towering dignity and quiet strength, offering Riley a devastatingly complex perspective on what it means to choose healing over hatred. (Character inspired by the real-life story of Talat Hamdani.)
Brilliant, historic, and exceptionally young for her position, Salman is a progressive trailblazer newly elected to City Council. She is a dedicated public servant who projects vocal warmth, radical empathy, and commanding stage presence. Despite facing intense public prejudice and heightened security threats, she remains unshakeable in her optimism and vision for a unified city.
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