House Rules

by Cynthia Jones Chapman

THIS PLAY IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION: In this non-linear drama, Dayenne’s fury is stoked by the announcement of her mother’s second and swift marriage. Dayenne diverts her pain into adolescent rebellion with the mentorship of her reckless friend Carrie, who teachers her to gamble and lie. Death does not separate these ill-starred friends. When Dayenne is unable to bear the pressure of husband and career, she summons...

THIS PLAY IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION: In this non-linear drama, Dayenne’s fury is stoked by the announcement of her mother’s second and swift marriage. Dayenne diverts her pain into adolescent rebellion with the mentorship of her reckless friend Carrie, who teachers her to gamble and lie. Death does not separate these ill-starred friends. When Dayenne is unable to bear the pressure of husband and career, she summons Carrie, as the personification of her gambling addiction that wreaks havoc in the lives everyone she loves and hurtles her towards self-destruction if no one can stop her..

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House Rules

Recommended by

  • Sandra de Helen: House Rules by Cynthia Jones Chapman
    “

    Chapman's House Rules is rife with emotion, theatrical, and drama. It is also a love story of sorts, as Dayenne battles with her best friend for control of her own soul. This would be so wonderful to see live in person fully staged.

    Chapman's House Rules is rife with emotion, theatrical, and drama. It is also a love story of sorts, as Dayenne battles with her best friend for control of her own soul. This would be so wonderful to see live in person fully staged.

    ”
  • Julie Weinberg: House Rules by Cynthia Jones Chapman
    “

    Cynthia is a wonderful writer and a terrific collaborator. This is a fascinating study of a woman whose life is spiraling out of control. Read this!!

    Cynthia is a wonderful writer and a terrific collaborator. This is a fascinating study of a woman whose life is spiraling out of control. Read this!!

    ”
DAYENNE: 30s, married to Marcus for seven years. Account Executive at an advertising agency where she met Marcus. Crumbling under the pressure of her marriage and career, guilt and loss of a life long friend, she's relying more and more on gambling to save her.

CARRIE: 30s, close friend of Dayenne during middle school and high school. Her struggles strain their friendship as adults, and after her death as the personification of DAYENNE's addiction. Undiagnosed Borderline Personality Disorder until her early 20s.

MARCUS: Mid-late 30's, Dayenne's husband. AVP at the ad agency. He's an ethically centered manager. Thrives in corporate life and domesticity. Wants the American Dream and thought his wife did, too.

BERTIE: Late 50s -60s married to Stuart, her second husband. Mother to Dayenne and Jack. An LPN nurse on leave. She filed for divorce from Dayenne and Jack's father. Soon after the divorce, he died in an accident. Her marriage with Stuart is fulfilling spiritually and she adores him and his fierce love for her.

STUART: Early to mid 60's, Bertie's second husband, also his second marriage. Places a protective barrier around his wife, which started early with Dayenne.

JACK: Mid-30's, Dayenne's brother and rock. Emerging filmmaker. He's kept his sexuality from his religious parents. "Boy wonder" of the family for his recovery from alcohol and his passion for his film production business. Escaped the strident Catholic values, and lives in NYC.

Development History

  • Workshop, Proscenium Playwrights and 9th Floor NYC, 2021
  • Workshop, Proscenium Playwrights, 2014
  • Reading, Lesley University, 2013