←Recommendations of Present Tense

A fun and relatable look at siblings that gives you the full picture of their history and what they are grappling with as they try to be in the present. Well done.

This is a sweet, natural story about siblings dealing with things in their own ways. It has Hageman's signature voice -- always refreshingly natural and effortlessly funny, with a good dose of heart as well.

The father in this wonderfully funny and poignant play about three grown siblings in a car looms large, and that is how he wanted it. Excuse me, wants it. His message to his kids is profound and shows us how parents can help their children even through the grieving process. The dialogue is first rate. The final moment hit me with the feels, and in the best possible way. Truly enjoyable!

I first saw this at SUNY Brockport's Festival of Ten. I knew immediately that I would want my high school students to perform this show. The relationship between the siblings is realistic and relatable, not to mention funny and heartfelt. We performed it for SUNY Oswego's Drama Festival and won "Outstanding Scene." This is a great play for any age group. It is laugh out loud funny and has an ending that is poignant and surprisingly emotional.

I was able to see a production at the College at Brockport. Very sweet and funny story about three siblings on a car trip to their mother's wedding. Super relatable. PRESENT TENSE was a big hit with the audience and would be a great addition to any 10 minute play lineup.

I was lucky enough to see a production of this play this weekend and absolutely loved the script! Hilarious and relatable, with a deceptively poignant core, PRESENT TENSE would make a great addition to any 10-minute play festival.

There is such grace in a family play where you can picture the family ten years ago and well into the future. The siblings are individuals on their own but the strength of being in the same family rings out. Hageman’s humor, wit and compassion shine a bright light through these characters. They will argue, tease, make mistakes and drive each other crazy - all through the lens of family love. The ending is a thing of beauty.

“Do you ever feel like you don’t want anyone to be happy because you’re miserable?” Hageman taps into a familiar, deeply-rooted mindset that all of us have felt at least once in our lives. But the play becomes a beautiful lesson in altruism when three siblings learn to set it aside. Clever flourishes and realistic dialogue permeate, and the ending will change how you want the world to remember you when you’re gone.

This lively play feels so real in its portrayal of siblings — The way they store these memories, for good and ill, and enjoy bantering, chiding, teasing. Writer Hageman's voice is clear and *hilarious* — With snappy dialogue, chockfull of zingers, and a humane, connected throughline. This would be a playground for performers, full of humor, emotion and charm.

A beautiful work about three siblings in a car. As they travel, Hageman displays a gift for sharp, lively, playful dialogue. She navigates their trip with turns both sad and loving. A wonderful, darkly comic piece with characters whom you can imagine are picking up right where they left off. This is some of the best and most believable character work that I've read in quite a while. The actors are given daggers and flags which they'll easily eat up, enjoy, and come to love.