Herland

by Grace McLeod

After graduating from high school, Natalie gets a summer internship working for Jean, a recently-divorced woman in her 70s who has no plans to move into a typical retirement home. Natalie helps Jean and her two best friends design an alternative: a DIY utopia where they can live out the next chapter of their lives. They plot the future together inside Jean’s garage, where relics of Jean’s ex-husband (and his...

After graduating from high school, Natalie gets a summer internship working for Jean, a recently-divorced woman in her 70s who has no plans to move into a typical retirement home. Natalie helps Jean and her two best friends design an alternative: a DIY utopia where they can live out the next chapter of their lives. They plot the future together inside Jean’s garage, where relics of Jean’s ex-husband (and his locally famous Bruce Springsteen cover band) still linger. HERLAND is a play about women growing up, growing old, and rocking out to the beat of their own drums.

read more
  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

Herland

Recommended by

  • Jamie Schmitt: Herland by Grace McLeod
    “

    We say plays should no longer end with a gun going off, and that's true. Grace McLeod tells us plays should end with a guitar being smashed to bits. If you don't believe me, read this play.

    We say plays should no longer end with a gun going off, and that's true. Grace McLeod tells us plays should end with a guitar being smashed to bits. If you don't believe me, read this play.

    ”
  • National New Play Network: Herland by Grace McLeod
    “

    Herland by Grace McLeod is receiving a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere. The partnering NNPN Member Theaters are Moxie Theatre (San Diego), Redtwist Theatre (Chicago, IL), and Greenway Court Theatre (Los Angeles).

    Herland by Grace McLeod is receiving a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere. The partnering NNPN Member Theaters are Moxie Theatre (San Diego), Redtwist Theatre (Chicago, IL), and Greenway Court Theatre (Los Angeles).

    ”
  • Joe Zarrow: Herland by Grace McLeod
    “

    Keep an eye on Grace. This play has an incredibly light and loving touch, with three (!) great roles for older women.

    Keep an eye on Grace. This play has an incredibly light and loving touch, with three (!) great roles for older women.

    ”
View all 6 recommendations

Character Information

  • Jean
    A lifelong learner always eager to try new things. Her relentless earnestness can be both endearing and frustrating. Delighted by the little things.
    70s
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Louise
    The snarky town gossip. She uses humor to mask her insecurities and she’s very good at it. Fiercely loyal to those she loves.  
    70s
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Terry
    Always listening. She’s quiet and reserved, but you get the sense that she contains multitudes. The Responsible Friend. 
    70s
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Natalie
    A typical high school over-achiever, so tightly wound she doesn’t know how to function any other way. Deeply insecure and desperate to belong to something.
    18
    BIPOC
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Becca
    Unabashedly queer. She has tattoos, piercings, and all the hallmarks of being “bad.” Effortlessly cool and confident, but not cold.
    20s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Reading, The Reading Parlor, 2019
  • Workshop, Greenway Arts Alliance / Greenway Court Theatre, 2018
  • Residency, Greenhouse Theater Center , 2017

Production History

  • Professional, Greenway Arts Alliance / Greenway Court Theatre, 2019
  • Professional, MOXIE Theatre, 2019

Awards

  • Olga and Paul Menn Foundation Prize
    Olga and Paul Menn Foundation
    Winner
    2018