A Land of Plenty

by Dayna Smith

FULL LENGTH PLAY: A brave group of pioneers make the pilgrimage west in search of a better life. As winter rapidly approaches and the travelers are trapped in the Sierra Nevada mountains, some rise to meet the challenge of survival and some have a long way to fall. A story of determination, responsibility and of the American dream, A Land of Plenty examines what American families in search of prosperity really...

FULL LENGTH PLAY: A brave group of pioneers make the pilgrimage west in search of a better life. As winter rapidly approaches and the travelers are trapped in the Sierra Nevada mountains, some rise to meet the challenge of survival and some have a long way to fall. A story of determination, responsibility and of the American dream, A Land of Plenty examines what American families in search of prosperity really look like. THEMES: the Donner Party, the great frontier, problematic leaders, strong women, the American dream

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A Land of Plenty

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: A Land of Plenty by Dayna Smith
    “

    A powerful look at the quest for the American dream and what it costs. Well done.

    A powerful look at the quest for the American dream and what it costs. Well done.

    ”
  • Matthew Weaver: A Land of Plenty by Dayna Smith
    “

    Smith takes one of the most notorious incidents in American and human history and humanizes it. She shows us the hopefulness of intrepid pioneers navigating their way to California, and the ways that they fail. All the while, her characters are rich with compassion and empathy, yet she does not shy away from their faults.
    In doing so, she paints a rich portrait - of wives who voice their concerns, of husbands who would have done better to listen, among others along the trail - and makes history come to life in a most appealing - and harrowing - fashion.

    Smith takes one of the most notorious incidents in American and human history and humanizes it. She shows us the hopefulness of intrepid pioneers navigating their way to California, and the ways that they fail. All the while, her characters are rich with compassion and empathy, yet she does not shy away from their faults.
    In doing so, she paints a rich portrait - of wives who voice their concerns, of husbands who would have done better to listen, among others along the trail - and makes history come to life in a most appealing - and harrowing - fashion.

    ”
  • Sam Hamashima: A Land of Plenty by Dayna Smith
    “

    Read a few days ago and this script is still, ironically, eating at me. A Land of Plenty deconstructed my ideas of the American Dream. This script exposes the harsh journey and/or sacrifices one must make in pursuit of their own American West. A Land of Plenty left me chilled.

    Read a few days ago and this script is still, ironically, eating at me. A Land of Plenty deconstructed my ideas of the American Dream. This script exposes the harsh journey and/or sacrifices one must make in pursuit of their own American West. A Land of Plenty left me chilled.

    ”
View all 5 recommendations

Development History

  • Reading, Echo Theatre Company, 2018
  • Residency, Echo Theatre Company, 2018
  • Workshop, Echo Theatre Company, 2018
  • Reading, HomeGrown Theatre, 2018

Awards