Persephone by Jennifer O'Grady

Published in THE BEST NEW TEN-MINUTE PLAYS 2019 (Applause)
Winner of Heartland Theatre Co's 10-Minute Play Contest and other productions

(10 Min) A modern riff on the myth of Persephone, forced to leave her family behind forever. This Persephone returns to give her small child an unusual gift--a new mom.
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Persephone

Recommended by

  • Bruce Bonafede:
    17 Oct. 2023
    “ The author deftly handles multiple scenes in a few pages. And deals with a serious subject with a light touch. Achingly sweet, this is a wonderful play. ”
  • Stephen Kaplan:
    13 Jun. 2022
    “ Selected by multiple students to work on in our student-directed one act festival. Addressed the story line with humor and pathos and was a highlight of the evening. ”
  • Luke Pound:
    9 Jun. 2022
    “ A unique take on death and the metaphysical combined with a fascinating perspective of grief from the other side of the veil. Wonderfully moving and emotional. ”
View all 35 recommendations

Character Information

  • Persephone
    30s.
    Deceased.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Laurence
    30s.
    Her husband.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Ellen
    30s.
    Her friend.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Jill
    60s.
    Her mother.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    WineBox Players
    ,
    2020

Production History

  • High School
    ,
    Marin Academy (CA)
    ,
    2024
  • University
    ,
    Skidmore College
    ,
    2024
  • University
    ,
    Bates College (ME)
    ,
    2023
  • High School
    ,
    Northfield Mount Hermon School (MA)
    ,
    2023
  • High School
    ,
    Bergen County Academies (NJ)
    ,
    2022
  • Professional
    ,
    Spark Creative Works (NY)
    ,
    2021
  • Professional
    ,
    Lionheart Theatre Company (GA)
    ,
    2021
  • High School
    ,
    Deer Park High School (NY)
    ,
    2021
  • University
    ,
    El Camino College (CA)
    ,
    2020
  • Professional
    ,
    Lowell Arts Theater (MI)
    ,
    2019
  • Professional
    ,
    The Hive Collaborative's The Ten Show (UT)
    ,
    2019
  • Professional
    ,
    Heartland Theatre Company's Ten-Minute Play Festival (IL)
    ,
    2018

Awards

Publication, The Best New Ten-Minute Plays 2019
,
Applause Theater & Cinema Books
,
2019
Winner
,
Playbytes by Playwrights Ten-Minute Play Contest
,
Lowell Arts Theater
,
2019
Winner
,
10-Minute Play Contest
,
Heartland Theatre Company
,
2018