Herland

by Grace McLeod

After graduating from high school, Natalie gets a summer internship working for Jean, a recently-divorced woman in her 70s who has no plans to move into a typical retirement home. Natalie helps Jean and her two best friends design an alternative: a DIY utopia where they can live out the next chapter of their lives. They plot the future together inside Jean’s garage, where relics of Jean’s ex-husband (and his...

After graduating from high school, Natalie gets a summer internship working for Jean, a recently-divorced woman in her 70s who has no plans to move into a typical retirement home. Natalie helps Jean and her two best friends design an alternative: a DIY utopia where they can live out the next chapter of their lives. They plot the future together inside Jean’s garage, where relics of Jean’s ex-husband (and his locally famous Bruce Springsteen cover band) still linger. HERLAND is a play about women growing up, growing old, and rocking out to the beat of their own drums.

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Herland

Recommended by

  • Jamie Schmitt: Herland

    We say plays should no longer end with a gun going off, and that's true. Grace McLeod tells us plays should end with a guitar being smashed to bits. If you don't believe me, read this play.

    We say plays should no longer end with a gun going off, and that's true. Grace McLeod tells us plays should end with a guitar being smashed to bits. If you don't believe me, read this play.

  • National New Play Network: Herland

    Herland by Grace McLeod is receiving a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere. The partnering NNPN Member Theaters are Moxie Theatre (San Diego), Redtwist Theatre (Chicago, IL), and Greenway Court Theatre (Los Angeles).

    Herland by Grace McLeod is receiving a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere. The partnering NNPN Member Theaters are Moxie Theatre (San Diego), Redtwist Theatre (Chicago, IL), and Greenway Court Theatre (Los Angeles).

  • Joe Zarrow: Herland

    Keep an eye on Grace. This play has an incredibly light and loving touch, with three (!) great roles for older women.

    Keep an eye on Grace. This play has an incredibly light and loving touch, with three (!) great roles for older women.

View all 6 recommendations

Character Information

  • Jean
    A lifelong learner always eager to try new things. Her relentless earnestness can be both endearing and frustrating. Delighted by the little things.
    Character Age
    70s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Louise
    The snarky town gossip. She uses humor to mask her insecurities and she’s very good at it. Fiercely loyal to those she loves.  
    Character Age
    70s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Terry
    Always listening. She’s quiet and reserved, but you get the sense that she contains multitudes. The Responsible Friend. 
    Character Age
    70s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Natalie
    A typical high school over-achiever, so tightly wound she doesn’t know how to function any other way. Deeply insecure and desperate to belong to something.
    Character Age
    18
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    BIPOC
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Becca
    Unabashedly queer. She has tattoos, piercings, and all the hallmarks of being “bad.” Effortlessly cool and confident, but not cold.
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization The Reading Parlor, Year 2019
  • Type Workshop, Organization Greenway Arts Alliance / Greenway Court Theatre, Year 2018
  • Type Residency, Organization Greenhouse Theater Center , Year 2017

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Greenway Arts Alliance / Greenway Court Theatre, Year 2019
  • Type Professional, Organization MOXIE Theatre, Year 2019

Awards

  • Olga and Paul Menn Foundation Prize
    Olga and Paul Menn Foundation
    Winner
    2018