Katerina Stoykova-Klemer

Four women in the south are connected by the death of a dog. Forty-something immigrant Maria struggles while her adopted daughter Meredith is away. Maria bonds with her neighbor Clara as Meredith seeks out her biological aunt Violet, a loner confronted with her past by her curious niece. The death of Meredith's aging dog spur each of these women into reflections on identity, family, and the temporary freedom of tranquilizers.

Everything is under control, she thinks. Everything is lost, he thinks. And then they meet. And fall.

After winning second place in a play writing contest, Bulgarian Krasimira Stanimirova travels to the rolling hills of Kentucky for the premiere of her dark, Communist-era autobiographical play "Black Coat."