Short Plays

Blood Ties -- Edmonia Lewis (c.1845-1911—first woman of African-American heritage
to  earn an international reputation as a visual artist) is in her studio in Boston 
(1863) where she is working on a bust of John Brown and trying to convince her
patron, the white abolitionist Lydia Maria Child (1802-1880), that moving to
Rome in order to focus on her art would not be deserting the abolitionist cause.
Single set, 2w (one Caucasian, one African-American), 10 min. 
Previous:  In Her Name Festival, A Festival of New Plays, April 16, 2016, 6:30 pm, at the 13th Street Repertory Company (50 W. 13th St, New York, NY 10011; Going to the River, Ensemble Studio Theatre, NYC; A Place At the Table, The Workshop Theatre, NYC, produced by Yvette Heyliger in conjunction with League of Professional Theatre Women 30th Anniversary; 365Women New York, The Sheen Center, Greenwich Village, NY, April 2015. Press Release on 365Women-NYC.
Related: See "Wildfires" in full length plays.

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The Price of Solitude -- After Sharon’s partner (Ted), who is a high powered attorney, breaks up with her, she moves to France to explore her writing; a year later Ted finds her and wants to continue their relationship, but Sharon has discovered another part of herself in this magical French village, which seems to make Ted jealous since he is no longer happy with his own life. Single set, 1w, 1m, 10min.  Game Productions, Director's Theatre, NYC; Finalist, National Ten-Minute Play Contest, Actors Theatre of Louisville.

Eden -- During the 60s, a black minister (Rev. Jones), is involved with the Civil Rights Movement in the south when his wife is murdered, leaving him to raise his daughter (Cynthia), who blames him for her mother’s murder.  Cynthia returns to the father’s home after several years because of the death of a neighbor who was like a mother to Cynthia. Single set, 2w (one mature), 1m, 40 min. Even Shades Black History Month, Theatre Row, New York.

Waves -- Nomie has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and is spending a weekend at her summer home on the beach when her best friend visits, and the two women go over past and present indiscretions as a way of holding onto their friendship. Single set, 2 w (one Caucasian, one African-American), 10 min. Ensemble Studio Theatre’s Octoberfest; Love Creek’s Summer One Acts.

The Carver -- Inspired by the life of Nancy Elizabeth Prophet *1890-1960). 365 Women, Theatre for A New City: March 2016.

Things We Don't Talk About (A collaboration with Cynthia L. Cooper) -- two women (one Caucasian and one African-American) try to sort out the complexities of race, family and personal histories. Stylized. Multiple scenes, 2 w(one Caucasian, one African-American), 20 min. Women With Bite, Director's Theatre, NY.

A Dark and Stormy Night (for young audiences) -- a spoof on film noir with a young, female detective searching for the culprit of the crime. Stylized. Multiple scenes, 10 characters (including a rabbit), 10 min. 52nd Street Project.

The Portrait -- a carpenter and his wife have a visit from an old friend, who was once the lover of the carpenter and dear friend to the carpenter's wife. As the three reminisce about the past, old passions are ignited and past decisions are revisited, forcing the three to question what they each desire now. Single set, 2w, 1m, 30 min.

The Goddess of Hygieia -- Harriot Kezia Hunt (1805-1875), one of the first women physicians, meets with Edmonia Wildfire Lewis (1843-1907), the first African-American sculptor.  2 w (one Caucasian, one African-American), 5 min. March 2016, LiveStreaming Worldwide and Live in New York, Reproductive Freedom Festival.  Published, Short Plays on Reproductive Freedom, October 2018

Pigment & Stones -- African American painter Lois Mailou Jones (1905-1998) confronts a difficult conflict between artistic ambition and  discriminatory practices. Single set, 2w, 10 min. 365 Women, Theatre for A New City: March 15, 2017.

Tea with Eleanor Roosevelt -- Civil Rights activist and lawyer Pauli Murray comes to the Greenwich Village apartment of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in 1940 on a mission to garner her support for laborers. Inspired by the life of Pauli Murray (1910-1985). Single set, 1w, African American; 1 OS Voice, female. 10 min. 365 Women

Singing Those Songs -- After a nightclub concert, jazz singer June Richmond awaits the visit of two special guests, Jimmy Dorsey and Bing Crosby, who are intent on recruiting her to sing with their band, something no African American has done.  Inspired by the life of June Richmond (1915-1962) Single set, 1w, 2 OS Voices, males. 10 min. 365 Women


Full Length Plays here.
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