Playwriting
Elektra
Years after witnessing her father’s brutal murder at the hands of her mother, Elektra is tormented by the memory and her obsession with revenge. Held captive in a mental institution, Elektra becomes uncertain of the reality of her situation. Is she mentally ill, or is she receiving treatments that create symptoms of mental illness? Where has her brother Orestes gone, and when will he come and save her so that they can carry out her plan for revenge? She feels like she knows her doctor from somewhere else – is time playing tricks on her memory?
Through a fusion of elevated and contemporary language, Elektra tells the Ancient Greek tragedy with a modernized examination of the mental, physical, and societal barriers preventing Elektra from acting out her will. With a Greek chorus that shifts from choral ode to patients to internal monologue, this dynamic and provocative exploration of the classic tale lends itself to movement-based storytelling. 30-40 minutes. 5 females, 4 males, 1+ any gender (10-40+ performers possible). Available for licensing through YouthPLAYS.
Through a fusion of elevated and contemporary language, Elektra tells the Ancient Greek tragedy with a modernized examination of the mental, physical, and societal barriers preventing Elektra from acting out her will. With a Greek chorus that shifts from choral ode to patients to internal monologue, this dynamic and provocative exploration of the classic tale lends itself to movement-based storytelling. 30-40 minutes. 5 females, 4 males, 1+ any gender (10-40+ performers possible). Available for licensing through YouthPLAYS.
Production History:
- Timber Creek High School, Orlando, FL. 2014.
- Brunswick High School, GA. 2018.
- Century High School, Bismarck, ND. 2020.
- Memorial High School, McAllen, TX. 2020.
- Big Spring High School, TX. 2021.
- Sioux Falls Lutheran School, SD. 2021.
- Cy-Fair High School, Cypress, TX. 2021.
- Nashville Children's Theatre, TN. 2021.
- Alamo Heights HS, San Antonio, TX. 2022.
- Reach Performing Arts Center, Deer Isle, ME. 2022.
- Eagle's Landing HS, McDonough, GA. 2022.
- Midway HS, Waco, TX. 2022.
- West Fork HS, Kingwood, TX. 2023.
- Medicine Hat College, AB, Canada. 2023.
- Northview High School, Norcross, GA. 2023.
- Midway HS Theatre, Waco, TX. 2023.
- Stratford Academy, Macon, GA. 2023.
- Girls Athletic Leadership School, Denver, CO. 2023.
- Renaissance High School for Musical, Bronx, NY. 2024.
- Lorena High School, TX. 2024.
- Seven Lakes Junior High School, Katy, TX. 2024.
- Century High School, Bismarck, ND. 2024.
- Walla Walla High School, WA. 2024.
Medea
Medea sacrificed everything, and left everyone she knew, to build a life with Jason. Now, out of greed and lust, he repays her by taking a new bride, the princess of Corinth. Mocked, shamed, and outcast, Medea has nowhere to go. Exiled from Colchis for the murder of her brother, and now banished from Corinth, Medea knows no home, and now, she fears, her children will suffer her consequences, too. Should she rely on her quick wit? Her sorcery? Or should she take more drastic measures? The people see her as nothing more than a barbarian, after all.
Told with swift and rhythmic language, this adaptation of Euripides’ Medea is told through a contemporary feminist lens, attempting to bring complexity and humanity to the flawed and pained character of Medea. What if Medea’s actions are more than merely “crazy”? What is a woman to do when she has nowhere to go? With a dynamic chorus, puppetry, and opportunities for bold physical movement, this adaptation lends itself to collective storytelling, making it a challenging and exciting competition piece. 40 minutes. Female vehicle role. Flexible cast of 3+ females, 4+ males. Available for licensing through YouthPLAYS.
Told with swift and rhythmic language, this adaptation of Euripides’ Medea is told through a contemporary feminist lens, attempting to bring complexity and humanity to the flawed and pained character of Medea. What if Medea’s actions are more than merely “crazy”? What is a woman to do when she has nowhere to go? With a dynamic chorus, puppetry, and opportunities for bold physical movement, this adaptation lends itself to collective storytelling, making it a challenging and exciting competition piece. 40 minutes. Female vehicle role. Flexible cast of 3+ females, 4+ males. Available for licensing through YouthPLAYS.
Production History:
- University of Central Florida (staged reading), Orlando. 2019.
- Freedom High School, Orlando FL. 2019.
- Foot Theatre School, Alberta, Canada. 2022.
- Cypress Park High School, Houston, TX. 2023.
- Renaissance High School for Musical, Bronx, NY. 2024.
Freedom High School (Florida), 2019. Photo courtesy of Sara Probst.
In Development:
Antigone and Ismene
As sisters, Antigone and Ismene are playmates and best friends by default. Seemingly shielded from the trauma surrounding their father’s death and their brother’s deadly battle over the crown, the girls are kept out of manly matters of war and power. While Ismene is content to wear fancy dresses, get good grades, and let the men call the shots, Antigone thirsts for something more. How did two sisters, with identical upbringings, end up so different from one another?
A non-linear exploration of nature versus nurture, Antigone and Ismene asks, "What makes a 'good girl' good and a 'bad girl' bad?" Through a fusion of the traditional Antigone story and the topical explorations of bodily autonomy and sexual abuse; body image and eating disorders; and gender roles, this play examines the dramatically different sisters and their dramatically different choices. 30 - 40 minutes. 2 females, 1+ any gender (6-40+ performers possible). Minimal scenic requirements. Unpublished; Available for production.
Production History:
A non-linear exploration of nature versus nurture, Antigone and Ismene asks, "What makes a 'good girl' good and a 'bad girl' bad?" Through a fusion of the traditional Antigone story and the topical explorations of bodily autonomy and sexual abuse; body image and eating disorders; and gender roles, this play examines the dramatically different sisters and their dramatically different choices. 30 - 40 minutes. 2 females, 1+ any gender (6-40+ performers possible). Minimal scenic requirements. Unpublished; Available for production.
Production History:
- East River High School, Orlando, FL. 2022.
Image courtesy of Michele McGovern Boucher.
SWALLOWED! (an existential crisis)
We all remember the old lady who swallowed a fly. But whatever happened to the animals who were pawns in this cruel game of indigestion? Told from the inside of the old lady's stomach and in true absurdist fashion, "SWALLOWED! (an existential crisis)" chronicles an unlikely assembly of animals trying to figure out where they are, how they got there, and how to get out. 30 - 40 minutes. 8 any gender. Minimal scenic requirements. Unpublished; Available for production.
Production History:
Windermere Preparatory School, Orlando, FL. 2023.
Production History:
Windermere Preparatory School, Orlando, FL. 2023.
Pitter Patter
“The only refrain that I hear in my ears is the pitter and patter of rain in my brain.” Woman and Man have a sunny home, sunny jobs, and a sunny life. Everything feels simply sunny until one day … drop! … a little rain threatens to turn their whole day soggy. But what’s a little rain to the couple who has always been the very best? That is, until what started as a trickle turns into a downpour. When life feels full to overflowing, the couple is forced to focus their attention on the things that matter most. 10 - 20 minutes. 1 female, 1 male. Minimal scenic requirements.
Unpublished; Available for production.
Production History:
Unpublished; Available for production.
Production History:
- Timber Creek High School, Orlando, FL. 2023.
