Kerri Kochanski

Two young teens explore their sexual feelings for each other, for the very first time.

The play is one of 8 ten-minute plays in THE PINK PLAYS, a full-length evening of plays for teen girls.

MONOLOGUE FROM A PLAY. JENNY, is an anorexic teen, who is afraid of food. Her weight has dropped so low, that her dad is now forcing her to eat. She is upset and afraid. She shares her fears with the audience.

*This monologue is from the full-length play, THE FOOD MONOLOGUES.

FULL-LENGTH. (3F, 6M) (Wacky Comedy, Drama). Collegeburg is in crisis. A black man is running for Mayor. When a letter, written anonymously, lands in the mailboxes of the citizens of the town, they are rocked by the racism and xenophobia it promotes, attempting to mobilize "white support" for the elderly, white, Republican incumbent.

But who wrote the letter? Was it really "white supremacists" whom the (90% white) community has never seen? Or was it the African-American challenger, seeking to capitalize on the current nationalist sentiment, to stoke fear and outrage in this quiet, "Mayberry-like" community?

In the age of "Fake News," Unconscious Bias, and White Privilege, how do we find truth, and how far will we move past our own comfort zone to promote a world that is safe and better for ALL?

THEMES: Racism, Anti-Racism, Scientific Racism, Xenophobia, White Privilege, White Supremacy, Domestic Terrorism, Identity, 2024 Presidential Election, Voting, Genetics, Science, Origin of Racism, Social Change, Racial Equality, Racism in Politics, Black Lives Matter, Time is Now, Call to Action

DESCRIPTION: An anonymous letter, espousing racism and xenophobia, lands in the mailbox of a middle-aged white woman. She rejects the idea that racism and white supremacy exist in her community - and she sets out to prove that the letter is a "hoax."

FULL-LENGTH. (5M, 5F). Young, pregnant, poor Azure returns to her hometown to visit her grandmother, Agnieszka, who has dementia. Her grandmother lives in a nursing home, and is desperate to escape. As Azure explores a relationship with her unborn baby's father, Agnieszka receives otherworldly visits from her dead husband and a former suitor. As a gravedigger digs and blackbirds fly, Azure and Agnieszka examine their preconceived notions about the world and make uncomfortable life-changing decisions in an attempt to obtain peace and become one with the universe. A quirky, sublime drama.

"FEW PLAYWRIGHTS SEEM WILLING TO TACKLE AN ENTIRE EVENING OF THIS TOPIC." - Byrne Harrison, The Off-Off Broadway Review

FULL-LENGTH. THE FOOD MONOLOGUES explores women's love/hate relationships and obsessions with food and body image. Themes include: dieting, eating disorders, disordered eating, weight loss/gain, body shame, and societal expectations and perceptions about women & beauty. The play features an actual food binge (& other eating processes), and includes audience interaction and participation.

Monologues, interspersed with ensemble-driven scenes.

A Tragic Vaudeville.

ALL-FEMALE. (13F)

Monologues from the play are published in the following books:

Young Women's Monologues from Contemporary Plays (Meriwether, 2004)
Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 30's (Smith & Kraus, 2005)
Young Women's Monologues from Contemporary Plays: Volume II (Meriwether, 2008)

To view the author storyboard for the play, visit: https://www.pinterest.com/kerrikochanski/play-the-food-monologues/

ONE-ACT. A childless woman begins hearing screams, and her husband is forced to deal with them.

ONE-ACT. Frank, a psychology student, approaches a depressed Girl on a subway car at 2AM, offering to give her therapy. As Girl continually rejects his attempts at connection, Frank must reveal the most important night of his life, the night Girl (unbeknownst to her), saved his life. (1M, 1F).

A quirky, romantic drama. 22 Minutes. Themes of: Individuality, Human Connection, Depression, Teen Suicide.

AN AWARD-WINNING PLAY

Awards include: The Chesterfield Film Company's "Writer's Film Project," Los Angeles (Semi-Finalist), Moving Arts Premiere One-Act Competition, Los Angeles (Finalist), Nantucket One-Act Play Competition & Festival (Finalist), Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Short Play Competition & Festival, New York City (Finalist & Critic's Choice Play).

To view the author storyboard for this play, visit: https://www.pinterest.com/kerrikochanski/play-spitting-daisies/

ONE-ACT. Frankie, a high school student, finds his crush, Rachel, hiding out on a dirt hill in the Midwest. He must help her confront her violent past, and move toward a place of healing & happiness. (1M, 1F)

A serious drama. 30 Minutes. Themes of: Re-Invention, Rape, Twisted Beauty.

AWARD-WINNING PLAY.

Samuel French "Off-Off Broadway Short Play Competition & Festival" (Finalist & Critic's Choice Play), 2003

Monologues from the play are published in the following:

Acting is Believing -Textbook (Cengage Learning, 2011)
One on One: The Best Men's Monologues for the 21st Century (Applause, 2008)
One on One: The Best Women's Monologues for the 21st Century (Applause, 2007)

The view the author storyboard for the play, please visit: https://www.pinterest.com/kerrikochanski/play-communicating-through-the…

SHORT. Cathea has created the “perfect life” for herself, but her marriage is “not so perfect.” She has a husband who is a hamster, and he spends all day (and sometimes nights) in his wheel – instead of spending time with her. When a tennis acquaintance uncovers the truth about their relationship, Cathea wonders if she should make some changes, in order to conform to the marriage standards of the “ladies who lunch.” Or should she continue to live the way she lives – solitary, free…and selfish.

SHORT. In the face of tragedy, strangers fight for their lives, experience depth, and find beauty.

TEN-MINUTE. Lance is a typical man who is into his "sports." Anna is an artist who is passionate about her painting. When a big decision threatens to change their marriage, Anna wonders if she can maintain her art in the face of Lance's desires.

TEN-MINUTE. It's business as usual, in the apartment of Estelle and George, an elderly couple in their 70's. But when neighbors come to visit, something just doesn't seem right.

SHORT. Coach Cicero and his gladiators perform at The Coliseum in Ancient Rome. When Octavius, the "star gladiator," becomes injured, the crowd grows bored and Caesar grows impatient. A spectator is suddenly plucked from the stands for accidentally hitting Caesar with a loaf of bread. He is forced to replace Octavius in the ring. Though he protests (and has no formal training), he impresses Cicero with his "golden arm," and replaces Octavius as the "star gladiator."

TEN-MINUTE. 5 African-American girls and their Caucasian friend are stopped by the "N word" during a seemingly innocent game of pattycake. This prompts them to explore their racial identities, and to learn more about themselves and each other.

Themes of: “black pride,” “white blindness,” peer pressure, prejudice, social change

Note: The play includes an authentic pattycake rhyme, currently in use on the streets today.

Note: The play allows youth to engage with the "N word" in a way that is interactive, creative, and thought-provoking. It also provides a theatrical springboard for educators to discuss issues of prejudice, racism, and identity.

TEN-MINUTE. Two men clash in a bar, and realize that appearance is not reality.

TEN-MINUTE. A 15-year old girl rejects "peer pressure," and asserts her individuality. Teen drama.

PERFORMANCE MONOLOGUE. A sassy Texas beauty queen performs her dramatic monologue for the judges at the state beauty pageant.

STAND-ALONE MONOLOGUE. A man, 30s/40s, tells his friend or therapist about his wife's miscarriage. He is very emotional, and has trouble talking about it, so he uses the analogy to help explore his grief. He is very sad and somber, almost in tears.

MONOLOGUE FROM A PLAY. Frankie, 17, a high school student, has a crush on his classmate, Rachel. Rachel is a girl who is sad and depressed. She stays away from people, because she feels bad, and is ashamed of her past. She was sexually abused, and she killed her step-brother.

Here, Frankie shares an intimate, vulnerable story with Rachel in an attempt to get her to open up.

*This monologue is from the one-act play, COMMUNICATING THROUGH THE SUNSET.

MONOLOGUE FROM A PLAY. Rachel is a girl who is pretty, and almost always distracted. There is something sad and dark lurking beneath her surface. She stays away from people, because she feels bad, and is ashamed of her past.

Her friend, Frankie, has a crush on her. He is trying to get her to open up, and he has just told her a very personal story about tadpoles.

Here, Rachel grows uncomfortable and contrary. Though she values Frankie’s story, it does not even compare to the hell she’s been through and has to live with on a daily basis.

*This monologue is from the one-act play, COMMUNICATING THROUGH THE SUNSET.