At Birth at Burning Coal

OdysseyStage Premieres At Birth: A Fearless New Southern Comedy by Mark Cornell

 OdysseyStage is proud to present the world premiere of At Birth, a biting, absurdist new comedy by North Carolina playwright Mark Cornell. This bold, satirical play explores race, class, sexuality, and Southern identity through the chaos of a custody battle gone sideways — and sideways again.

From August 15–24, 2025, audiences can catch At Birth at Burning Coal Theatre in Raleigh, NC. Tickets are available now at Our.show/AtBirth2025.

When two babies are accidentally switched at birth, an upscale gay Argentinian-American couple is forced to retrieve their biological child from a conservative Carolina family. What unfolds is a twisted, hilarious, and uncomfortably true story featuring a grieving parrot, a living room python, a shotgun-toting grandmother, and more than one crime-scene-worthy monologue.

Directed by Juliana Valente and Jose Rondon, Jr., OdysseyStage’s producing leaders, At Birth exemplifies the company’s mission to champion original, fearless Southern voices. The play’s themes may be outrageous, but they’re grounded in real questions about identity, belonging, and the lines we draw between “us” and “them.”

“At Birth is both outrageous and deeply human,” says Co-Director Jose Rondon, Jr. “It’s the kind of story we need now — one that makes us laugh and then forces us to sit with what that laughter reveals.”  “If you’re uncomfortable at times, good,” adds Co-Director Juliana Valente. “This play is about finding compassion across every line we’ve been taught to draw.

The cast includes DJ Brinson as Julius, Martin Balaguer as Diego, Ainsley Goodyear as Brittney. Jon Parker Douglas as Matt,  Bonnie Webster as Savannah, and Tori Grace Nichols as the voices of the Parrot, Dog, and Baby.

This world premiere production showcases the talents of award-winning playwright Mark Cornell, known for his fast-paced, socially conscious storytelling. With At Birth, he delivers a comedy that’s as fearless as it is unforgettable.

Whether you come for the parrot or stay for the existential dread, At Birth promises a theatrical experience unlike any other — sharp, subversive, and deeply Southern.

 Content Advisory: Contains mature subject matter, strong language, and pointed satire

For more information, interviews, or press inquiries, please contact Maya Bryant at odysseystage@gmail.com.

About OdysseyStage:

OdysseyStage is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization incubating and showcasing North Carolina

playwrights' bold and diverse voices. We focus on developing new theatrical work, fostering

cultural dialogue, and deepening shared human experiences. We support local talent, advance

the careers of playwrights, and enrich the North Carolina theatre scene. To learn more about our mission or to contribute to our vision, visit OdysseyStage.org.