Dara O'Brien

I am a playwright and actress based in New York City.

My plays have been presented or developed at The Cherry Lane Theatre, Urban Stages, the Abingdon Theatre Company, Resonance Ensemble, and HB Studio. I received the 2015 Thomas Barbour Playwrights Award for my play “Early Sunday Morning,” which had a staged reading featuring Melissa Errico by The Schoolhouse Theatre, and was a finalist for Capital Stage’s Playwrights Revolution and featured in the Naked Angels Tuesdays@9 Reading Series. As a founding member of WAC (Writer/Actor Collective), I am a co-creator of the upcoming podcast series, “Bricks and Murder.”

I am also an actress whose work includes the New York premiere of “Gidion’s Knot” by Johnna Adams, directed by Austin Pendleton at 59E59 Theatres, and Lady Capulet in “R&J” for...

I am a playwright and actress based in New York City.

My plays have been presented or developed at The Cherry Lane Theatre, Urban Stages, the Abingdon Theatre Company, Resonance Ensemble, and HB Studio. I received the 2015 Thomas Barbour Playwrights Award for my play “Early Sunday Morning,” which had a staged reading featuring Melissa Errico by The Schoolhouse Theatre, and was a finalist for Capital Stage’s Playwrights Revolution and featured in the Naked Angels Tuesdays@9 Reading Series. As a founding member of WAC (Writer/Actor Collective), I am a co-creator of the upcoming podcast series, “Bricks and Murder.”

I am also an actress whose work includes the New York premiere of “Gidion’s Knot” by Johnna Adams, directed by Austin Pendleton at 59E59 Theatres, and Lady Capulet in “R&J” for Web Series Shakespeare. Affiliations include Playwrights Gallery and the Ninth Floor Playwrights. Member, AEA, SAG-AFTRA, Dramatists Guild of America. www.daraobrien.com

Scripts

Early Sunday Morning

by Dara O'Brien

Synopsis

After twenty years of creative and professional struggle, the American painter Edward Hopper reconnects with his old schoolmate, the artist Josephine Nivison. Merging their lives brings seismic change to both. In the summer of 1923, Edward and Jo, both unrecognized painters in their early forties, become reacquainted at Gloucester's Rocky Neck Art Colony. Jo, the more established of the two, inspires Edward to...

After twenty years of creative and professional struggle, the American painter Edward Hopper reconnects with his old schoolmate, the artist Josephine Nivison. Merging their lives brings seismic change to both. In the summer of 1923, Edward and Jo, both unrecognized painters in their early forties, become reacquainted at Gloucester's Rocky Neck Art Colony. Jo, the more established of the two, inspires Edward to try watercolor, a medium he does not use. At summer's end, they return to New York's Greenwich Village, now courting as a couple. Jo arranges for Edward to participate in a watercolor show at the Brooklyn Museum, where he wins the show's purchase prize and sells his first painting in ten years. As their relationship continues, Edward seeks more from Jo, who resists, focusing on her career. He convinces her to marry him, and newfound intimacy escalates their conflict. Jo is caught between her interdependence with Edward and her need to maintain her identity as an artist. She becomes both his fiercest advocate and a deeply resentful competitor. Within a few months of their marriage, Edward attains long-awaited creative and commercial success. As his reputation skyrockets, Jo's declines. What is the price of genius, and who pays?

Daddy's Little Girl

by Dara O'Brien

Synopsis

A comic take on Euripides’s ELECTRA, with Ivanka Trump as the avenging title character. She has been debased by actions of her stepmother Melania (Clytemnestra), who “killed” King Trump (Agamemnon) by releasing his tax returns, thus destroying him and his family business. As in the Greek tradition, the play uses a mix of meters and rhyme schemes; the Chorus is a member of the press.

A comic take on Euripides’s ELECTRA, with Ivanka Trump as the avenging title character. She has been debased by actions of her stepmother Melania (Clytemnestra), who “killed” King Trump (Agamemnon) by releasing his tax returns, thus destroying him and his family business. As in the Greek tradition, the play uses a mix of meters and rhyme schemes; the Chorus is a member of the press.

ReactaCap

by Dara O'Brien

Synopsis

Two young female inventors who are eager to find investors for their new product try their luck at "Investorfest"; think Shark Tank goes speed dating. Have they come to the right place?

Two young female inventors who are eager to find investors for their new product try their luck at "Investorfest"; think Shark Tank goes speed dating. Have they come to the right place?

Serena de Bergerac

by Dara O'Brien

Synopsis

SERENA is a courageous Editor of a weekly local newspaper. At rise, BRET, Serena's Managing Editor, finds her hastily clearing the clutter in her office before a meeting with her new reporter, ROSIE. As Bret knows, Serena is smitten with Rosie, but unwilling to tell her so. Rosie races in with news, but is cryptic in the telling. Serena thinks Rosie might be declaring her affection, but is soon disappointed to...

SERENA is a courageous Editor of a weekly local newspaper. At rise, BRET, Serena's Managing Editor, finds her hastily clearing the clutter in her office before a meeting with her new reporter, ROSIE. As Bret knows, Serena is smitten with Rosie, but unwilling to tell her so. Rosie races in with news, but is cryptic in the telling. Serena thinks Rosie might be declaring her affection, but is soon disappointed to learn that that Rosie's news involves TOM DEGUICHE, who works for their State's Governor and is on his way. DeGuiche enters and offers Serena an interim appointment to the US Senate. When Serena insults him and disdainfully declines, DeGuiche exits. Rosie and Bret urge Serena to reconsider. Serena ardently expresses her desire for more out of life than a political career. Rosie is dazzled, and kisses Serena. Serena is stunned. Rosie exits, embarrassed. With a little fancy footwork from Bret, perhaps disaster can be averted.

Security

by Dara O'Brien

Synopsis

Annie is a young actress running the gauntlet that is New York City. Her sister, Siobhan, is a successful lawyer and mother of two who lives in an exclusive Connecticut suburb. Lifestyles collide when Annie and Siobhan come together at Annie’s newly leased, exceeding small studio apartment.

Annie is a young actress running the gauntlet that is New York City. Her sister, Siobhan, is a successful lawyer and mother of two who lives in an exclusive Connecticut suburb. Lifestyles collide when Annie and Siobhan come together at Annie’s newly leased, exceeding small studio apartment.

NeueVista Pointe

by Dara O'Brien

Synopsis

Tom is NeueVista Pointe's newest resident, and he's single. Let the dance begin. Marie is ready and willing to step in, but Tom has another partner in mind. Can he convince Ellie to follow his lead?

Tom is NeueVista Pointe's newest resident, and he's single. Let the dance begin. Marie is ready and willing to step in, but Tom has another partner in mind. Can he convince Ellie to follow his lead?

December

by Dara O'Brien

Synopsis

An elderly man and woman near the close of their lives find themselves together in the moment.

An elderly man and woman near the close of their lives find themselves together in the moment.

I.B. Rich

by Dara O'Brien

Synopsis

Has Frank added creative accounting to his short list of accomplishments? It's Debbie's job to find out.

Has Frank added creative accounting to his short list of accomplishments? It's Debbie's job to find out.