Elephant

by Margie Stokley-Bronz

A family copes with loss and grief in this quirky and touching non-linear comedy.
Elephant is about a family dealing with grief. Jay, a marine in his twenties, has recently died in a car accident, leaving behind his parents, Henry and Kathleen, his younger sister Michelle, and his pregnant girlfriend, Ellen.

A family copes with loss and grief in this quirky and touching non-linear comedy.
Elephant is about a family dealing with grief. Jay, a marine in his twenties, has recently died in a car accident, leaving behind his parents, Henry and Kathleen, his younger sister Michelle, and his pregnant girlfriend, Ellen.

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Elephant

Recommended by

  • Donald Loftus: Elephant by Margie Stokley-Bronz
    “

    "Elephant" is a beautifully constructed and emotionally resonant drama that explores grief, depression, family bonds, and the difficult path toward healing with remarkable honesty and compassion. Margie Stokley-Bronz skillfully weaves together multiple timelines and perspectives, creating a rich theatrical tapestry in which each character's pain, love, and resilience illuminate the others. Well done!

    "Elephant" is a beautifully constructed and emotionally resonant drama that explores grief, depression, family bonds, and the difficult path toward healing with remarkable honesty and compassion. Margie Stokley-Bronz skillfully weaves together multiple timelines and perspectives, creating a rich theatrical tapestry in which each character's pain, love, and resilience illuminate the others. Well done!

    ”
  • Georgia Xanthopoulou: Elephant by Margie Stokley-Bronz
    “

    Amazing work with strong lyrical moments. I loved the symbolism of the elephant. The unuttered is so silently yet so solidly constructed on stage. The grief changes shape, but as the elephant remains present.A powerful and notable play.

    Amazing work with strong lyrical moments. I loved the symbolism of the elephant. The unuttered is so silently yet so solidly constructed on stage. The grief changes shape, but as the elephant remains present.A powerful and notable play.

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: Elephant by Margie Stokley-Bronz
    “

    Absolutely outstanding. A touching story about a family dealing with a pain no one should have to bear. Beautiful work!

    Absolutely outstanding. A touching story about a family dealing with a pain no one should have to bear. Beautiful work!

    ”
Characters:
Michelle a seventeen year old girl.
Ellen in her twenties, an artist.
Jay in his twenties.
Henry in his early sixties.
Kathleen in her late fifties.
Blaise a German Shepard, heard but not seen.

Tollbooth gal is played by the actress playing Michelle.
Daisy is played by the actress playing Ellen.
Barbara is played by the actress playing Kathleen.

Place:
Michelle is in a car traveling to Sound View Institute (Tarrytown, NY).
Henry and Jay in a car driving cross-country.
Ellen is in her art studio in New Jersey.
Kathleen is at her home in New Jersey.

Time:
August 1998 with periodic flashbacks from the previous year.

Note: Except for Kathleen, once the characters have entered the world of the play, they remain on stage in their respective worlds for the length of the show. Ellen’s progress with her painting parallels the emotional landscape of the play and her canvas should be visible to the audience at all times. The two cars and the art studio are the only permanent set pieces; to allow the scenes to flow seamlessly, we should never fully realize all other locations.

Development History

  • Workshop, Andhow Theater Company, Director Jessica Davis-Irons, 2003

Production History

  • University, Mc Murry University in Abilene, TX , 2008
  • Workshop, Ontological theater, New York, 2004