Reporter Girl

by Laura Rohrman

Reporter Girl is a historical biography play about cartoonist Dale Messick, America's first female syndicated cartoonist who created the popular cartoon strip Brenda Starr Reporter in 1940. Written by Dale's granddaughter, the play has a magical realism to it and three worlds - past, present and cartoon which helps bring to life the journey of one of our pioneering creative female geniuses. A play about a real...

Reporter Girl is a historical biography play about cartoonist Dale Messick, America's first female syndicated cartoonist who created the popular cartoon strip Brenda Starr Reporter in 1940. Written by Dale's granddaughter, the play has a magical realism to it and three worlds - past, present and cartoon which helps bring to life the journey of one of our pioneering creative female geniuses. A play about a real woman's journey through art, family, career, heartbreak and beyond. Who tells our story is important.

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Reporter Girl

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Reporter Girl

    A terrific journey taking us into the lives of a family, the legacy that they are honoring and their relationships to each other. Well done!

    A terrific journey taking us into the lives of a family, the legacy that they are honoring and their relationships to each other. Well done!

  • Donna Hoke: Reporter Girl

    There are so many things to love about this play from Rohrman's insider knowledge to the way she skillfully weaves past and present to create a feminist slant that also delivers the history of renowned comic strip and what it took to get it in print. Do we love anything more than a pioneering feminist grandma? This is a fun ride and the nostalgia for anyone who remembers Brenda Starr is just gravy.

    There are so many things to love about this play from Rohrman's insider knowledge to the way she skillfully weaves past and present to create a feminist slant that also delivers the history of renowned comic strip and what it took to get it in print. Do we love anything more than a pioneering feminist grandma? This is a fun ride and the nostalgia for anyone who remembers Brenda Starr is just gravy.

  • J.Lois Diamond: Reporter Girl

    This is a breathtaking ride which vividly captures three generations of a family of women, all through the lens of the creator of a famous comic strip. I loved the way Rohrman seamlessly navigates between the worlds of fantasy and reality, crossing through intergenerational decades of heart break and struggle. It features three strong women's roles. I would love to see this performed!

    This is a breathtaking ride which vividly captures three generations of a family of women, all through the lens of the creator of a famous comic strip. I loved the way Rohrman seamlessly navigates between the worlds of fantasy and reality, crossing through intergenerational decades of heart break and struggle. It features three strong women's roles. I would love to see this performed!

View all 7 recommendations

Character Information

  • Dale Messick
    Dale is the artist, the cartoonist who created Brenda Starr, Reporter
    Character Age
    90's
    Character Gender Identity
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant)
  • Noni
    Noni is the granddaughter of Dale Messick
    Character Age
    20's
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Starr
    Starr is the daughter of Dale Messick
    Character Age
    50's
    Character Gender Identity
    Female

Development History

  • Type Residency, Organization The Workshop Theater , Year 2020
  • Type Reading, Organization Pat Addis Producer , Year 2019
  • Type Residency, Organization The Workshop Theater , Year 2018
  • Type Residency, Organization Rising Sun Theater Company , Year 2017

Production History

  • Type Workshop, Organization The Brick Theater Comic Book Theater Festival , Year 2011

Awards

  • 2nd Rounder
    Austin Film Festival
    2017
  • Princess Grace Award
    Princess Grace Foundation
    Finalist
    2006
  • Weissberger Award Nominee
    Weissberger Award /The Directors Company
    2006
  • Semi-Finalist
    O'Neill Festival
    Semi-Finalist
    2006