The Hired Man

by Heather Meyer

A magical realism epic set in the modern-day American West where a restless cattlewoman is hired onto a family cattle ranch in Wyoming. Here the stability of the family collides with her life of itinerant working, hard living, and harder choices.

A magical realism epic set in the modern-day American West where a restless cattlewoman is hired onto a family cattle ranch in Wyoming. Here the stability of the family collides with her life of itinerant working, hard living, and harder choices.

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The Hired Man

Recommended by

  • Straton Rushing: The Hired Man by Heather Meyer
    “

    An utterly brilliant re-imagining of a classic story. As someone who is passionate about theatre that tells rural stories, this is one of my favorite plays I have read in a while. Meyer's humor, ear for dialogue, and brilliant character construction all come together to make "The Hired Man" an excellent story.

    An utterly brilliant re-imagining of a classic story. As someone who is passionate about theatre that tells rural stories, this is one of my favorite plays I have read in a while. Meyer's humor, ear for dialogue, and brilliant character construction all come together to make "The Hired Man" an excellent story.

    ”
  • Doug DeVita: The Hired Man by Heather Meyer
    “

    This play by Heather Meyer is so beautifully written it takes on a life of its own completely apart from its source material, and in the process it becomes its own unique animal. Every single word is so perfectly chosen, every single character is so perfectly wrought, and every single moment is so perfectly placed the cumulative effect is almost overwhelming in its contrasting epic sweep and tragic intimacy. Simply stunning.

    This play by Heather Meyer is so beautifully written it takes on a life of its own completely apart from its source material, and in the process it becomes its own unique animal. Every single word is so perfectly chosen, every single character is so perfectly wrought, and every single moment is so perfectly placed the cumulative effect is almost overwhelming in its contrasting epic sweep and tragic intimacy. Simply stunning.

    ”
  • Rachel Teagle: The Hired Man by Heather Meyer
    “

    A sweeping drama with a juicy role for an actress in her late 30s/40s. This modern day Oedipus story traps its characters so effectively that you’ll be watching the last scene through your fingers.

    A sweeping drama with a juicy role for an actress in her late 30s/40s. This modern day Oedipus story traps its characters so effectively that you’ll be watching the last scene through your fingers.

    ”

Character Information

4 women
2 men
  • Matty
    36 years old, female a professional cattle hand. The dirt on her hands has been there for years. She's striking, but there are no long pretty curls hiding beneath her cowboy hat, she's functional and practical.
    30-40
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Hank
    61 years old, male, owns a small cattle ranch. Handsome, fit, charming, it's easy to see his wild younger days still in his eyes.
    61
    Any
    Cis male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Ellen
    18 years old, female, a senior in high school. Hank's granddaughter, has lived with Hank since she was six. Thinks she knows everything, but obviously doesn't.
    18
    Any
    Cis female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Tim
    22 years old, male, a professional cattle hand, been working on Hank's ranch for three years. Hard-working, believes in justice, fragile ego.
    22
    Any
    Cis male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Georgette
    52 years old, female, gorgeous, outgoing, intelligent. Hank's girlfriend of five years. She's buried one husband and divorced the second. Does not suffer fools.
    52
    Any
    Cis female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Linda
    40 years old, female, Matty's mother. Is stuck in time nearly twenty years prior, exists only in Matty's mind but haunts her entire being. Permeates through the space like something between a ghost and disease. Smokes with the accompanying smoker's cough.
    40
    Any
    Cis female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading, University of Tennessee, 2019
  • Reading, Playwrights Cabal, Minneapolis MN, 2018
  • Workshop, Cincinnati Lab Theatre, 2018
  • Reading, National Winter Playwrights Residency, Creede Co, 2017