Denim Doves

by Adrienne Dawes

FULL LENGTH: “You are safe here, Sister.”

Tucked safely into the woods of what was once Belle, MO, a modest compound is home to five sister wives and their reluctant Husband. While the wives enjoy many freedoms, they have one simple and sacred task: a wife must produce the next heir, or they all risk being cut from the braid. When a new wife mysteriously arrives the night of the Seedling, she disrupts their...

FULL LENGTH: “You are safe here, Sister.”

Tucked safely into the woods of what was once Belle, MO, a modest compound is home to five sister wives and their reluctant Husband. While the wives enjoy many freedoms, they have one simple and sacred task: a wife must produce the next heir, or they all risk being cut from the braid. When a new wife mysteriously arrives the night of the Seedling, she disrupts their semi-annual procreation ritual. Will this new wife's radical ideas, ancient riot grrl songs, and acid wash denim compromise the safety and sanctity of this devout compound?

Set in a dystopian future, Denim Doves is a collaboratively-devised feminist farce that explores themes of women in subjugation and the hilarious consequences of a rigid dick-tatorship.

Original music by Erik Secrest with lyrics by Cyndi Williams.

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Denim Doves

Recommended by

  • Rachel Greene: Denim Doves

    MonologueBank highly recommends Adrienne Dawes' writing. (She is a joy to deal with "administratively" as well.) There are some interesting monologues in DENIM DOVES. One features Husband using corny dirty jokes to impress his new "mysterious" wife. She is a recent addition to his collective of wives. The writing is full of good humor and shows a man who is marveling at his own genuine attraction to this woman in a world where love is considered an antiquated concept.

    MonologueBank highly recommends Adrienne Dawes' writing. (She is a joy to deal with "administratively" as well.) There are some interesting monologues in DENIM DOVES. One features Husband using corny dirty jokes to impress his new "mysterious" wife. She is a recent addition to his collective of wives. The writing is full of good humor and shows a man who is marveling at his own genuine attraction to this woman in a world where love is considered an antiquated concept.

  • Tiffany Antone: Denim Doves

    OMG, I LOVE THIS PLAY! What a wild, wonderfully unique, and exciting piece of theatre. Timely and prescient, magnificent fun for actors—well, for the whole creative team, really. A thrill to read, hilarious, and so sharp. BRAVO! Would love to see this produced!

    OMG, I LOVE THIS PLAY! What a wild, wonderfully unique, and exciting piece of theatre. Timely and prescient, magnificent fun for actors—well, for the whole creative team, really. A thrill to read, hilarious, and so sharp. BRAVO! Would love to see this produced!

  • Rachel Bykowski: Denim Doves

    Denim Doves clearly displays Adrienne Dawes' ability to conquer writing sci-fi/dystopian worlds. Not only is this play a director/designer's dream, it also showcases multidimensional roles for women and non-binary characters from all races and ages 20-50.

    Denim Doves clearly displays Adrienne Dawes' ability to conquer writing sci-fi/dystopian worlds. Not only is this play a director/designer's dream, it also showcases multidimensional roles for women and non-binary characters from all races and ages 20-50.

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Salvage Vanguard Theater, Year 2015
  • Type Workshop, Organization Salvage Vanguard Theater, Year 2015
  • Type Workshop, Organization Salvage Vanguard Theater, Year 2014
  • Type Workshop, Organization Salvage Vanguard Theater/Mi Casa es su Teatro, Year 2013

Production History

  • Type Community Theater, Organization American Theatre Company, Year 2019
  • Type Professional, Organization Sacred Fools Theater, Year 2018
  • Type Professional, Organization Salvage Vanguard Theater, Year 2016

Awards

  • Osage Arts Community Residency
    Osage Arts Community
    Winner
    2015
  • ScriptWorks Seed Support Grant
    ScriptWorks
    Winner
    2015