A CHANGE OF HEART (a 30-minute drama for five actors)

by Arianna Rose

[30-minute play]

Is a second chance a lifeline when it doesn't feel like your life anymore? A heart transplant patient with strange cravings and desires seems a stranger to her fiancé and herself. Her donor was a teenage boy who had barely even begun. A story about the struggle for self-acceptance and moving forward with the hand we're dealt.

Finalist, 2026 Broken Arts Entertainment Audio Series

[30-minute play]

Is a second chance a lifeline when it doesn't feel like your life anymore? A heart transplant patient with strange cravings and desires seems a stranger to her fiancé and herself. Her donor was a teenage boy who had barely even begun. A story about the struggle for self-acceptance and moving forward with the hand we're dealt.

Finalist, 2026 Broken Arts Entertainment Audio Series

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A CHANGE OF HEART (a 30-minute drama for five actors)

Recommended by

  • Maggie Smith: A CHANGE OF HEART (a 30-minute drama for five actors) by Arianna Rose
    “

    I LOVE a strong ensemble piece, and "A Change of Heart" is exactly that. While there are so many incredible things to say about this play, what really stands out to me is its rhythm, playing with a quick-paced opening and shifting rhythm with each new character entrance. This is a heartfelt (no pun intended) script exploring the many ways one person can share a life.

    I LOVE a strong ensemble piece, and "A Change of Heart" is exactly that. While there are so many incredible things to say about this play, what really stands out to me is its rhythm, playing with a quick-paced opening and shifting rhythm with each new character entrance. This is a heartfelt (no pun intended) script exploring the many ways one person can share a life.

    ”
  • David Crespy: A CHANGE OF HEART (a 30-minute drama for five actors) by Arianna Rose
    “

    From the initial beat of the drum, which becomes a thrum of a heart, this play takes us deep into the uncanny, a world where a heart transplant recipient, Donna, is forced to come to terms with the heart of a young man, Zach, that has saved her life, but is also transforming her. At times, hilarious, at others, heartbreaking, this is a play that takes a charming metaphysical approach to a medical question, "how much of us is donated, when we donate our organs?"

    From the initial beat of the drum, which becomes a thrum of a heart, this play takes us deep into the uncanny, a world where a heart transplant recipient, Donna, is forced to come to terms with the heart of a young man, Zach, that has saved her life, but is also transforming her. At times, hilarious, at others, heartbreaking, this is a play that takes a charming metaphysical approach to a medical question, "how much of us is donated, when we donate our organs?"

    ”

Character Information

The roles of HEART and JAMIE can be played by the same actor if needed, as the characters are not onstage at the same time.

Casting Flexibility Note: It is permissible to switch genders for any of the already-gendered characters for ease in casting, and make pronoun changes and slight name changes through the script to reflect that change, i.e. Donna and Levi could be a same sex couple, Jamie could be male.

Author’s note:
If having HEART play a live drum is not feasible, sound recordings of heartbeats can be used instead. HEART does not have to be an accomplished musician – using a simple frame drum and mallet is fine. What’s important is the tempo of the heart.


  • HEART
    moves well, being able to keep a beat on a frame drum is a plus. Empathetic.
    any adult age
    Any
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • DONNA
    recent heart transplant recipient, confused, vegetarian, engaged to Levi
    35
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • ZACH
    typical teenager, loves hiking, greasy foods, fixing cars
    19
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • LEVI
    Donna's fiance, patient to a point, good caregiver
    30s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • JAMIE
    25, wedding planner, vivacious, bubbly
    25
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman