Cortex Kin

by Elana Gartner

When Daniel takes a sick day and visits his brain, he discovers ornery housekeeper, Hank, already starting to clean the dust from months of neglect. Through their combative work and conversation, Daniel eventually starts to face the horrifying reasons behind his absence.

When Daniel takes a sick day and visits his brain, he discovers ornery housekeeper, Hank, already starting to clean the dust from months of neglect. Through their combative work and conversation, Daniel eventually starts to face the horrifying reasons behind his absence.

  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Library

Cortex Kin

Recommended by

  • Danielle Wirsansky: Cortex Kin by Elana Gartner
    “

    Inventive, poignant, and darkly funny, Cortex Kin turns the mind itself into a theatrical space for reckoning. Gartner balances humor and dread beautifully, using Daniel’s neglected brain to explore mortality, avoidance, and the painful work of finally facing what haunts us.

    Inventive, poignant, and darkly funny, Cortex Kin turns the mind itself into a theatrical space for reckoning. Gartner balances humor and dread beautifully, using Daniel’s neglected brain to explore mortality, avoidance, and the painful work of finally facing what haunts us.

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: Cortex Kin by Elana Gartner
    “

    A thought provoking and revealing journey into the brain and how we handle mortality. Brilliant.

    A thought provoking and revealing journey into the brain and how we handle mortality. Brilliant.

    ”
  • Greg Burdick: Cortex Kin by Elana Gartner
    “

    A tight and clever meditation on the moment when we’re forced to wrestle too early with our own mortality. Gartner’s setting for this story is perfect... along with her expertly timed sound cues underscoring Daniel’s dark journey. While it’s somewhat heavy in tone overall, she counterbalances with comic flourishes throughout. And you’re gonna love Hank.

    A tight and clever meditation on the moment when we’re forced to wrestle too early with our own mortality. Gartner’s setting for this story is perfect... along with her expertly timed sound cues underscoring Daniel’s dark journey. While it’s somewhat heavy in tone overall, she counterbalances with comic flourishes throughout. And you’re gonna love Hank.

    ”

Character Information

DANIEL: A man in his early 30’s. He is dressed in jeans and a button down shirt. He works in a corporation and is emotionally shut down as the play opens.

HANK: A woman in her 70’s. A housekeeper. She tends to be sarcastic but is very focused on her task at hand.
  • Daniel
    He is dressed in jeans and a button down shirt. He works in a corporation and is emotionally shut down as the play opens.
    Early 30's
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Hank
    A housekeeper. She tends to be sarcastic but is very focused on her task at hand.
    50's/60's/70's
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman

Development History

  • Reading, Dixon Place, 2017

Awards

  • DRURY UNIVERSITY ONE-ACT PLAYWRITING COMPETITION
    Drury University
    Semi-Finalist
    2010
  • WITH HONORARY MENTION: STONE SOUP THEATRE'S DOUBLE (XX) FEST 2.0
    Stone Soup Theatre
    Finalist
    2012
  • EDEN PRAIRIE PLAYERS' 2012 COLLECTION OF ONE ACTS
    Eden Prairie Players
    Semi-Finalist
    2012