The Elephant

by Ava Love Hanna

10 MINUTE: Steven and Charlotte struggle to maintain their composure and their marriage while a physical elephant wreaks literal havoc in their parlor -- though only one of them is willing to admit it exists. An absurdist comedy about the weight of unspoken truths.

10 MINUTE: Steven and Charlotte struggle to maintain their composure and their marriage while a physical elephant wreaks literal havoc in their parlor -- though only one of them is willing to admit it exists. An absurdist comedy about the weight of unspoken truths.

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The Elephant

Recommended by

  • Steven G. Martin: The Elephant by Ava Love Hanna
    “

    Everything in "The Elephant" is heightened for comic effect: dialogue and tone, physicality, the literalness of the figurativeness. But then Ava Love Hanna turns a dial to genuine emotion and care, turning things bittersweet and a bit sad. And then praise her, Hanna adds the final twist for a kooky end. "The Elephant" is a marvelous, brief ride.

    Everything in "The Elephant" is heightened for comic effect: dialogue and tone, physicality, the literalness of the figurativeness. But then Ava Love Hanna turns a dial to genuine emotion and care, turning things bittersweet and a bit sad. And then praise her, Hanna adds the final twist for a kooky end. "The Elephant" is a marvelous, brief ride.

    ”
  • L.B. Deyo: The Elephant by Ava Love Hanna
    “

    Hilarious and heartfelt in the most perversely literal way. As compact and energetic as a time bomb, and loaded with classic wit. Highly recommended.

    Hilarious and heartfelt in the most perversely literal way. As compact and energetic as a time bomb, and loaded with classic wit. Highly recommended.

    ”
  • Noah Masterson: The Elephant by Ava Love Hanna
    “

    If Ionesco's corpse was exhumed and reanimated and asked to write a short play about domestic life, it might look a lot like "The Elephant." Ava Love Hanna perfectly balances physical comedy (a literal elephant) with hilarious dialogue, and it ends with a twist that I did not see coming.

    If Ionesco's corpse was exhumed and reanimated and asked to write a short play about domestic life, it might look a lot like "The Elephant." Ava Love Hanna perfectly balances physical comedy (a literal elephant) with hilarious dialogue, and it ends with a twist that I did not see coming.

    ”
View all 12 recommendations

Character Information

1M / 1W / 1 Any
  • Charlotte
    Distracted. Can’t find good help these days. Good at ignoring things. Too good, really.
    Any Age
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Steven
    Good natured. Patient. A bit confused. Prone to being crushed by elephants.
    Any Age
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Elephant
    An elephant. In the room. You’d think everyone would be talking about it.
    Any
    Any
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+

Development History

  • Reading, Monday Playwright Group, 2026

Production History

  • Professional, Redlands Theatre Festival - Redlands, CA, July 2026
  • Professional, Town and Gown Theater, Stillwater, OK, August 2026