Persephone

by Jennifer O'Grady

Published in THE BEST NEW TEN-MINUTE PLAYS 2019 (Applause)
Selected for Heartland Theatre Co's 10-Minute Play Festival and many 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.

Published in THE BEST NEW TEN-MINUTE PLAYS 2019 (Applause)
Selected for Heartland Theatre Co's 10-Minute Play Festival and many 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

  • Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend: Persephone by Jennifer O'Grady
    “

    This is beautiful. A short play that deals with death in such an effortless way, without becoming too heavy - amazing! It's sweet and sad and even funny all rolled up into one play. A true feat.

    This is beautiful. A short play that deals with death in such an effortless way, without becoming too heavy - amazing! It's sweet and sad and even funny all rolled up into one play. A true feat.

    ”
  • Bruce Bonafede: Persephone by Jennifer O'Grady
    “

    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.

    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: Persephone by Jennifer O'Grady
    “

    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.

    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.

    ”
View all 36 recommendations

Character Information

  • Persephone
    Deceased.
    30s.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Laurence
    Her husband.
    30s.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Jill
    Her mother.
    60s.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Ellen
    Her friend.
    30s.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Reading, WineBox Players, 2020

Production History

  • High School, Tamalpais High School (CA), 2025
  • High School, Marin Academy (CA), 2024
  • University, Skidmore College, 2024
  • High School, Northfield Mount Hermon School (MA), 2023
  • University, Bates College Robinson Players (ME), 2023
  • High School, Bergen County Academies (NJ), 2022
  • High School, Deer Park High School (NY), 2021
  • Professional, Lionheart Theatre Company (GA), 2021
  • Professional, Spark Creative Works (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

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