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| On this page, you'll find my monologues, one-acts, and plays about historic Kentucky women. For other short plays, visit 10-Minute Plays. To learn about my workshop on writing monologues, visit Writing Workshops. |
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Monologues:
The End of My Life as a Back Porch Beautician (1F): A new widow happily anticipates her retirement and provides an unforgettable hair experience for her last customer.
The Fish in the Dumpster (1F): As a young woman describes a lost love, we gradually realize — with horror — what she's thrown into a dumpster. Appears in Smith & Kraus's The Best Women's Stage Monologues of 2000.
Dan Rhema: A Vessel for Art! (1F or M): A poetic dreamy reminiscence of a man's near-death experience and transformation into an artist. Visit Dan's web site to see the unusual art he creates and get ideas for staging.
Dead Deer in the Dark (1F): A teenage girl explains how April, blood, a dead deer, and poetry are all connected in her world.
Don't Call Me Loretta (1F): When a customer arrives just before closing, the only thing the waitress holds back is food. Included in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 30s, Smith & Kraus, Janet Milstein, editor, and to be in forthcoming Women's Monologs Volume II, Meriwether Publishing, Gerald Lee Ratliff, editor.
Downsizing (1F): A female consultant gives some out-of-work factory workers a chance to take a job they never would have considered before.
I Changed My Mind (1F): A young woman decides against surgery to remove a birthmark on her face. Available from Dramatic Publishing in Classroom Scenes and Monologues.
Learning by Moonlight in the Mountains (1F): See Plays about Kentucky Women below.
A Man Named Mack (1F):
Sue Ellen tells her son that she's finally found a man to love, one whose first two questions were "What sign are you?" and "Are you saved?".
The Neatness Factor (1F):
A teenager who loves order and the letter "B" prepares for a job interview. Available from Dramatic Publishing in Classroom Scenes and Monologues.
"One Black WAC" (1 AA F): See Plays about Kentucky Women below.
Requiem for a Pair of Manicure Scissors (1F): Loss, love, and memory intertwine when a small gift from long ago suddenly breaks.
The Sphere Hunt (1F): Teacher explains to volunteers how and why a spring activity will be politically correct. Read this and 91 other monologues for young women in Meriwether's Young Women's Monologs from Contemporary Plays.
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One-Acts:
Baby Joe's Song (formerly Almost Predictable) (3F,2M): A boy, a girl, their mothers, and a high school principal are part of this play in 8 flowing scenes that never preaches but will provoke discussion about the topic of school shooters.
Discovery (3F): An adoptee who "feels" Jewish convinces a friend to break into the agency where her adoption was arranged.
Malinda (1AA F, 1white M): When a Virginia slave learns about the Emancipation Proclamation, she makes a difficult decision about baby and the baby's white father.
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Plays About Kentucky Women:
Want to celebrate women's history month? I've written 11 plays about historic Kentucky women, thanks to support from Pleiades Theatre Company and the Kentucky Foundation for Women. All have had readings or productions. Contact me for information.
Audrey & Ora (1 AA F, 1 white F): Inspired by the lives of Audrey Whitlock Peterson (1903-1978), coach of Woodburn's high school girls' basketball team and Ora Porter (1880-1970), first registered nurse in Bowling Green, both from Warren Co.
The Anesthetic Was Psalms (2F, 1M): Inspired by the life of Jane Todd Crawford (1763-1842), the woman who volunteered to have the first ovariotomy. Boyle Co.
First Woman of Industry (2F, 1M): Inspired by the life of Catharine Danenhold Merlcher (1817?-1874?) whose pottery business was one of the first woman-owned businesses.
An Interview in Midway (1F, 1M): Inspired by the life of educator Phoebe Phelps Button (1840-1892). Woodford & Rowan Co.
Yes, I Cut Marble, Mrs. Grant (3F, optional 4th actor, F or M): Inspired by the lives of Enid Yandell (1869-1934), sculptor from Jefferson County; Bertha Honoré Palmer (1849-1918), philanthropist born in Jefferson County; and Julia Dent Grant (1826-1902), wife of Ulysses S. Grant.
"The Lady Steamboatman" (1F, 2M): Inspired by the life of Captain Mary Millicent Garretson Miller (1846-1894), the first woman licensed as a Master of Steamboats.
Learning by Moonlight in the Mountains (1F): Inspired by the life of adult education pioneer Cora Wilson Stewart (1875-1958). Rowan Co.
The Crusader from Paducah (3F & 1M portray 7F & 3 M): Inspired by the life of Hannah Evelyn Brooks, AKA Hebe Hamilton (1879-1926), journalist/suffragist/temperance activist. McCracken Co.
"One Black WAC" (1 AA F): Inspired by the life of Anna Mac Clarke (1919-1944), lieutenant who won battles for racial justice in the Women's Army Corps. Anderson Co. Also, see the full-length play about Clarke.
The Poet from Pikeville (1 AA F, 2 F any race, 1 M any race): Inspired by the life of poet Effie Waller Smith (1879-1960) and told in the present time. Pike Co.
"She Moves Like the Wind" (3F, 1M) Inspired by the life of Elmer Lucille Allen (1933-), a chemist for 30+ years who earned a graduate degree in art at the age of 70.
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Monologues & Shorts