The Caregiver's Guide

by Jami Brandli

The Caregiver’s Guide is a dramedy about love, family, and the messiness of caring for one another. When a stand-up comedian returns home and reveals he’s inherited the early-onset Alzheimer’s gene from his late mother, his two sisters are forced to face their own fears about the future, their health, and how to care for someone who doesn’t want to be cared for. With humor, heart, and a touch of the supernatural...

The Caregiver’s Guide is a dramedy about love, family, and the messiness of caring for one another. When a stand-up comedian returns home and reveals he’s inherited the early-onset Alzheimer’s gene from his late mother, his two sisters are forced to face their own fears about the future, their health, and how to care for someone who doesn’t want to be cared for. With humor, heart, and a touch of the supernatural, this play explores how one family leans on laughter, memory, and love to make it through life’s hardest turns.

Development:
- The Caregiver’s Guide received a workshop production at Center for the Arts at Kayenta (St. George, UT); February 2026.
-The Caregiver's Guide received a workshop and reading as as part of the Kayenta New Play Lab in St. George, sponsored in part by the NEA; August 2024

-2020 Under Construction playwright; play initially written under the auspices of The Road Theatre
-Under Construction Reading Festival with The Road Theatre (Virtual), January to February 2021
-Under Construction Reading Festival with The Road Theatre (in person!), Sept 2021

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The Caregiver's Guide

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  • Premiere Stages at Kean University: The Caregiver's Guide by Jami Brandli
    “

    Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre company in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize The Caregiver’s Guide as a Semi-Finalist for the 2025 Premiere Play Festival. The Caregiver’s Guide rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and an external panel of professionals to become distinguished among 805 submissions. The panel was impressed by the deeply resonant explorations of disease and illness. Our congratulations and thanks to Jami.

    Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre company in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize The Caregiver’s Guide as a Semi-Finalist for the 2025 Premiere Play Festival. The Caregiver’s Guide rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and an external panel of professionals to become distinguished among 805 submissions. The panel was impressed by the deeply resonant explorations of disease and illness. Our congratulations and thanks to Jami.

    ”
  • Bernardo Cubría: The Caregiver's Guide by Jami Brandli
    “

    Jami Brandli is #playwrightgoals. This play is so funny and then punches you in the gut hard. If you have ever dealt with Alzheimer's in any personal way prepare to cry and laugh a lot. Love this family play and hope all you fools produce it soon

    Jami Brandli is #playwrightgoals. This play is so funny and then punches you in the gut hard. If you have ever dealt with Alzheimer's in any personal way prepare to cry and laugh a lot. Love this family play and hope all you fools produce it soon

    ”
  • Jennifer Maisel: The Caregiver's Guide by Jami Brandli
    “

    Jami Brandli never fails to blow me away with the breadth and depth of her work and The Caregiver's Guide is another home run. This play beautifully renders the dynamics between the siblings and their dad as they face one of the biggest hardships a family can face - for the second time around. Be prepared to laugh and cry.

    Jami Brandli never fails to blow me away with the breadth and depth of her work and The Caregiver's Guide is another home run. This play beautifully renders the dynamics between the siblings and their dad as they face one of the biggest hardships a family can face - for the second time around. Be prepared to laugh and cry.

    ”
View all 5 recommendations
A cast of 5 -- 3 Females and 2 Males. All roles are race-neutral
Zac Miller: 43 to pre-teen, a stand-up comedian/storyteller, the middle child

Dawn Miller: 46 to teen, a pediatric nurse and "super helper," the eldest child

April Miller: 40 to child, a determined neurophysiologist, the youngest child

Paul Miller: Mid 70s to mid 40s, retired Classics professor, pianist, and patriarch of the family (still dresses nicely)

*Virginia/Ginny Miller: Late 40s to mid-30s. Deceased. She was a dancer, teacher and dedicated wife and mother until her death at 49. Virginia is now the magical, spectral presence who is guiding her family. She orchestrates the play toward her goal in a highly theatrical manner and often uses her TRUNK OF MAGIC to do so. She always wears an elegant dance teacher outfit: a chiffon circle skirt paired with a simple leotard, tights, and cardigan wrap. All her movement/dance is graceful.

*The Actress who plays Virginia Miller will also play Mary Sue, The Alz Monster and Technician.

*Mary Sue: 49, an enthusiastic YouTube specialist on Caregiving. Otherworldly, as she is an embodiment of Virginia orchestrating the play.

*The Alz Monster: Terrifying and stealthy. Wears a long, dark hooded cape and monster mask. Otherworldly, as it's an embodiment of Virginia orchestrating the play.

*Technician: Works at The Clinic. Otherworldly, as she is an embodiment of Virginia orchestrating the play.