Eleanor and Dolly by Jenny Stafford


Ellie is an ambitious high school senior who is determined to fulfil one of her life goals: to marry her high school sweetheart. The only problem is, she doesn’t have one. However, when a new foreign-exchange student arrives in the last few months of school, Ellie channels the advice of her hero, Eleanor Roosevelt, to try to make her plan come to fruition.

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Eleanor and Dolly

Recommended by

  • National New Play Network:
    19 Jul. 2022
    “ Eleanor and Dolly by Jenny Stafford was a finalist for NNPN's 2022 National Showcase of New Plays, and we are pleased to recommend it. ”
  • David Liu:
    16 Jun. 2022
    “ I was hooked immediately and read this script in one great gulp. It is hilarious, sweet, and ultimately both insightful and touching. There is quite literally never a dull moment, and every character and relationship feels genuine and specific. I'm certain that this play would be a joy to stage, and to see on the stage. ”
  • Samantha Cooper:
    19 May. 2022
    “ This play is a wonderful coming-of-age exploration of high school female friendship, a mother-daughter relationship, and a budding romance all wrapped up in one. Both Ellie and Jana are wonderful and well-rounded representations of the complexity of teenage girls. The pacing is quick and the dialogue is snappy. Plus the use of both Eleanor Roosevelt and Dolly Parton as icons is delightful. A really lovely play with great parts all around, especially for young actors. ”
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Ellie: Eighteen, female. A high school senior. Intelligent, organized, ambitious, tightly wound.
Claire: Ellie’s mom, mid-thirties, female. Fun-loving, free-wheeling, bohemian; an embracer of life.
Jana: Eighteen, female. Ellie’s best friend. Sarcastic, funny, irreverent.
Liam: Eighteen, male. A Canadian exchange student. Quiet, mousy, withdrawn and a bit dull.
Clerk/Mrs. Speare/Police Officer/Boarding Announcement: Female, late forties/early fifties.

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    The Athena Project New Works Festival
    ,
    2022
  • Reading
    ,
    Vintage Theatre Company
    ,
    2022
  • Reading
    ,
    Butterfly Effect Theatre of Colorado
    ,
    2021
  • Reading
    ,
    Athena Project Read and Rant
    ,
    2021

Production History

  • University
    ,
    Temple University
    ,
    2023
  • University
    ,
    Des Moines Community College
    ,
    2022