Donna Gordon

Donna Gordon

I am a PhiBetaKappa graduate of the University of California at Berkeley. I have taught high school in the San Diego area and I was a teaching assistant in the Humanities Dept. of Cal San Diego. I have produced five plays in the San Diego area with the help of friends. I am the winner of the Point Loma Theater 24 Hour Experiment with two other writers: the play was "Guess Who Isn't Coming to Dinner...
I am a PhiBetaKappa graduate of the University of California at Berkeley. I have taught high school in the San Diego area and I was a teaching assistant in the Humanities Dept. of Cal San Diego. I have produced five plays in the San Diego area with the help of friends. I am the winner of the Point Loma Theater 24 Hour Experiment with two other writers: the play was "Guess Who Isn't Coming to Dinner".I produced two plays in the downtown Tenth Avenue Theater, San Diego: "The Break Room" and "Longing". The play "Out of the Bookstore" was my first murder mystery, produced at The Performance Annex, City Heights, San Diego. The other two were modern interpretations of Old Testament stories and were produced at the Plymouth Congregational Church: "Kindness Will Do" based on the Book of Ruth, and "Get It Right" based on the Noah's Ark Chapter. I played one of the leads in the two Bible plays.
I have also done other writing: I was a writing evaluator for San Diego City Schools for four years, and the Editor of a San Diego Housing Commission newsletter for four years. Two articles I wrote were published in an international self-help magazine. I have also been a costumer for theater and ComicCon.
My play "The Ribbon" was featured on a Zoom reading at Scripteasers. My play "Alice in the Rabbit Hole" was one of the winners of the 3 minute play contest at the International Center for Women Playwrights. My play "Too Many Wars" was read at Merely Writers in Georgia. And "Men Who Couldn't Save Her" was read as part of Fall Follies at The International Center for Women Playwrights. Ten and fifteen minute selections have been read at the Playground Experiment in NYC. My play about "Addiction" was read as part of the End of Play program sponsored by Dramatist Guild

Plays

  • Longing by Donna Gordon
    Recommendations: 4
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    Cast: 
    9–12
    ·
    Genre: biography, drama + 3 more
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    Keyword: hippies, politico + 6 more
    Genre: biography, drama, faith-based, period, young audiences
    Keyword: hippies, politico, activism, verbal abuse, communication, sexual favors, roommates, college
    A young girl leaves behind her high school love and her small town and moves to a big city university. There she finds the hippy movement, political activism and an abusive relationship. But the play reveals that the seeds of her involvement in all of these were based in her childhood. She came from parents with few parenting skills and she doesn't want or know how to communicate with others. Finally...
    A young girl leaves behind her high school love and her small town and moves to a big city university. There she finds the hippy movement, political activism and an abusive relationship. But the play reveals that the seeds of her involvement in all of these were based in her childhood. She came from parents with few parenting skills and she doesn't want or know how to communicate with others. Finally she is talked into parties with sexual favors. The one bright spot that stays shining is her ever-faithful room mate.
  • TOO MANY WARS by Donna Gordon
    Cast: 
    5
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    Genre: docudrama/historic, drama + 3 more
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    Keyword: vietnam, family + 6 more
    Genre: docudrama/historic, drama, radio drama, young audiences, zoom
    Keyword: vietnam, family, loyalty, wounded, protest, Pearl Harbor, enlistment, pacifist
    Deidre is the girl back home waiting for her soldier during the contentious Vietnam War. Her brother Jarod returns to find Deidre's loyalty seemingly lacking. Jarod has his own issues as his conflicts about being in the navy surface through behavior that provokes their career military father, Ed. Marion, Ed's wife has been the faithful military wife, even during wartime. Deidre wonders what Jarod...
    Deidre is the girl back home waiting for her soldier during the contentious Vietnam War. Her brother Jarod returns to find Deidre's loyalty seemingly lacking. Jarod has his own issues as his conflicts about being in the navy surface through behavior that provokes their career military father, Ed. Marion, Ed's wife has been the faithful military wife, even during wartime. Deidre wonders what Jarod will tell her boyfriend Kyle when he returns home from the front, wounded. The families of soldiers, especially during wartime, have unusual stresses that can stretch their connections close to the breaking point.
  • At the Bedside by Donna Gordon
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: drama, immersive + 3 more
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    Keyword: Hospital, pneumonia + 5 more
    Genre: drama, immersive, radio drama, young audiences, zoom
    Keyword: Hospital, pneumonia, family, jail, grandson, doctor, virus
    Alysia has been through serious pneumonia. And then catches a virus - not COVID. Justin, her son, visits and alleviates her subsequent depression, but not after Dr. Reyes steps in to lend a less than positive light. This is a bird's eye view of hospitalization and its effects on the family. Justin's wise-cracking son, Mark, lends comic relief.
  • The Queen Searches by Donna Gordon
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    5–6
    ·
    Genre: comedy, farce + 2 more
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    Keyword: royal family, Queen + 6 more
    Genre: comedy, farce, parody/spoof, young audiences
    Keyword: royal family, Queen, castles, manor, pooches, Prince, Gatekeeping, scandal
    Think BBC's "Keeping up Appearances" with some Shakespearian language. You don't have to be an Anglophile to enjoy this spoof with strong satirical elements that easily travel the pond and beyond. The Queen has lost her precious pooches and she sees a farce unfolding as her eccentric relatives try not so desperately to find them. All the while she is threatened by scandal if the...
    Think BBC's "Keeping up Appearances" with some Shakespearian language. You don't have to be an Anglophile to enjoy this spoof with strong satirical elements that easily travel the pond and beyond. The Queen has lost her precious pooches and she sees a farce unfolding as her eccentric relatives try not so desperately to find them. All the while she is threatened by scandal if the paparazzi get hold of the story. Enjoy a romp inspired by various royal families.
  • Kindness Will Do by Donna Gordon
    Cast: 
    8–11
    ·
    Genre: docudrama/historic, drama + 2 more
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    Keyword: faith, Ruth + 6 more
    Genre: docudrama/historic, drama, faith-based, period
    Keyword: faith, Ruth, Naomi, kinsman redeemer, Boaz, Obed, city gate, gleaners
    A modern take on the Bible story "Book of Ruth". Naomi, an Israelite or Jewish woman, finds herself in the foreign land of Moab. She, as well as her two daughter-in-laws have been widowed. Naomi sees a return to Israel as the best path forward. Her daughter-in-law Ruth is determined to accompany her on this long journey to a country which is unknown to her. When they reach Israel, prayers through...
    A modern take on the Bible story "Book of Ruth". Naomi, an Israelite or Jewish woman, finds herself in the foreign land of Moab. She, as well as her two daughter-in-laws have been widowed. Naomi sees a return to Israel as the best path forward. Her daughter-in-law Ruth is determined to accompany her on this long journey to a country which is unknown to her. When they reach Israel, prayers through hard times bring them to a new life.
  • He Seemed So Good at First by Donna Gordon
    Cast: 
    5–10
    ·
    Genre: drama, immersive
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    Keyword: sex work, prostitution + 4 more
    Genre: drama, immersive
    Keyword: sex work, prostitution, guns, violence, dysfunctional family, Drugs
    This is #3 in a Warning Series of plays designed to help young girls avoid some of the pitfalls of the Sex Trade. Ronni wonders why she ended up at the Mission. At an Intake Center of a Shelter, Ronni sees other women who have been victims of violence. Irene, her Intake Counselor, hears the whole story of Ronni's gradual introduction into the sex trade at the hands of the clever procurer, Nathan. Irene...
    This is #3 in a Warning Series of plays designed to help young girls avoid some of the pitfalls of the Sex Trade. Ronni wonders why she ended up at the Mission. At an Intake Center of a Shelter, Ronni sees other women who have been victims of violence. Irene, her Intake Counselor, hears the whole story of Ronni's gradual introduction into the sex trade at the hands of the clever procurer, Nathan. Irene shows Ronni why she was a willing victim and hopefully that truth will keep Ronni free.
  • Would This Girl Tell by Donna Gordon
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    4–8
    ·
    Genre: drama, immersive + 1 more
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    Keyword: sex work, procurer + 3 more
    Genre: drama, immersive, young audiences
    Keyword: sex work, procurer, massage, counseling, under age
    This is play #2 in a warning series to alert young people to the dangers of the sex trade. Susie is vulnerable to the offers and suggestion of an older woman, Nadine. When Nadine suggests Susie fill in for her by giving a wealthy man a massage, Susie can't resist the money. Susie becomes one of the girls around a wealthy man's pool and her parents become involved. This play is based on the Epstein scandal.
  • Are They Right About Me? by Donna Gordon
    Cast: 
    7
    ·
    Genre: drama, immersive + 1 more
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    Keyword: motorcycle club, writers + 3 more
    Genre: drama, immersive, young audiences
    Keyword: motorcycle club, writers, escape, sexual slavery, loyalty
    This is play #1 in my series to warn young people about the sex trade. Claudette is irritated by her parents' lack of understanding. She wants to be an author but the only one who encourages her is Matt, whom she meets at the local hang-out. Her friend Janie is also there, and her cousin Justin tempts Claudette to escape from it all on his motorcycle. Matt has warned Claudette about Justin's motorcycle club.
  • GET IT RIGHT by Donna Gordon
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    6–7
    ·
    Genre: faith-based, young audiences
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    Keyword: Noah, Ark + 3 more
    Genre: faith-based, young audiences
    Keyword: Noah, Ark, Bible, flood, god
    Noah, from the Noah's Ark story in Genesis of the Bible, receives a modern touch in this play. He is a kind old man asked to do far more than he thinks he's capable of. His wife Sarah, at first terrified at the prospect of building an ark, tries to comfort her daughter-in-law and her daughter. Shem, Noah's oldest son, questions everything but finally agrees to come aboard. To their peril, the...
    Noah, from the Noah's Ark story in Genesis of the Bible, receives a modern touch in this play. He is a kind old man asked to do far more than he thinks he's capable of. His wife Sarah, at first terrified at the prospect of building an ark, tries to comfort her daughter-in-law and her daughter. Shem, Noah's oldest son, questions everything but finally agrees to come aboard. To their peril, the neighbors ridicule the whole idea.
  • Alice in the Rabbit Hole by Donna Gordon
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: drama, farce + 1 more
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    Keyword: molestation, costumes + 4 more
    Genre: drama, farce, young audiences
    Keyword: molestation, costumes, theater, metoo, Exploitation, sexual boundary
    The #MeToo movement didn't exist when "Alice in Wonderland" was being staged in this small theatre. But this Alice definitely qualified as she jumps through the hoops a theatre costumer and manager throw at her. This Alice, who is really Denise Bradshaw, causes the staff, Bill and Doug, to fall into their own trap.
  • Natasha by Donna Gordon
    Cast: 
    9–11
    ·
    Genre: adventure, drama + 4 more
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    Keyword: Aristocracy, Russia + 5 more
    Genre: adventure, drama, faith-based, period, political, young audiences
    Keyword: Aristocracy, Russia, Immigrants, Paris, fashion, governess, St. Petersburg
    This is based on the Anastasia legend but is not based on any film or movie. Anastasia was the popular daughter of Nicholas, Czar of Russia deposed by the Communists. She was brutally killed with her entire family but legend had it that Anastasia survived, many claiming to be her. Natasha is also the daughter of nobility but she escapes to a new life. Unfortunately, part of her past follows her as she...
    This is based on the Anastasia legend but is not based on any film or movie. Anastasia was the popular daughter of Nicholas, Czar of Russia deposed by the Communists. She was brutally killed with her entire family but legend had it that Anastasia survived, many claiming to be her. Natasha is also the daughter of nobility but she escapes to a new life. Unfortunately, part of her past follows her as she becomes an immigrant. Forces threaten her safety but love finds her.
  • Will Somebody Give Me a Sandwich by Donna Gordon
    Recommendations: 6
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: immersive
    ·
    Keyword: homelessness, mental illness + 3 more
    Genre: immersive
    Keyword: homelessness, mental illness, theft, pastor, church
    Paul, a homeless man, is an unwelcomed visitor at a local church. His sister is being held partially accountable for Paul's theft, but, as she explains, she's known him since he was a baby.
  • David the Soldier by Donna Gordon
    Cast: 
    8–20
    ·
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic + 2 more
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    Keyword: biography, History + 4 more
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic, faith-based, young audiences
    Keyword: biography, History, King David, Old Testament, Judah, Israel
    David unexpectedly is chosen by a Prophet to be King of Judah. He comes to the court of King Saul. who is beset by headaches and uses David's harp music to calm him. King Saul, however, turns out to be proud and haughty and chases David out of Israel because he was able to kill Goliath. The chase is long and David becomes a seasoned soldier, but has to change to rule the court after Saul and his son...
    David unexpectedly is chosen by a Prophet to be King of Judah. He comes to the court of King Saul. who is beset by headaches and uses David's harp music to calm him. King Saul, however, turns out to be proud and haughty and chases David out of Israel because he was able to kill Goliath. The chase is long and David becomes a seasoned soldier, but has to change to rule the court after Saul and his son Jonathan are killed in battle. His wives have more to say here than in the Bible and are intimately involved in the action. The story reaches its fulfillment with the death of David and the ascendancy of his son Solomon. David has more than one career but always seeks God's direction. It would be hard to find a more interesting or adventurous life than King David's, and is a life brought into modern times with this play. The story of David is originally found in the Old Testament of the Bible.
  • Coming to the Surface by Donna Gordon
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    7–8
    ·
    Genre: drama, faith-based + 2 more
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    Keyword: opioid crisis, addiction + 4 more
    Genre: drama, faith-based, immersive, young audiences
    Keyword: opioid crisis, addiction, denial, obsession, poverty, unmarried mother
    I hope this helps with the opioid crisis. Mark is an addict, and this makes his teacher girlfriend, Dolores, unpredictable and obsessed. She has had a troubled childhood and escapes through drinking. Mark's parents, a couple of old-fashioned Italians, don't understand but seem to blame Dolores. When the relationship is broken, can the elephant in the room (addiction) be seen by all? Dana, Dolores...
    I hope this helps with the opioid crisis. Mark is an addict, and this makes his teacher girlfriend, Dolores, unpredictable and obsessed. She has had a troubled childhood and escapes through drinking. Mark's parents, a couple of old-fashioned Italians, don't understand but seem to blame Dolores. When the relationship is broken, can the elephant in the room (addiction) be seen by all? Dana, Dolores' sister and her husband, Will, hope so.
  • One Step Forward by Donna Gordon
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: immersive, young audiences
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    Keyword: alcoholism, best friends + 3 more
    Genre: immersive, young audiences
    Keyword: alcoholism, best friends, telephone, help, guidance counselor
    This is a telephone conversation/monologue between a woman and her best friend. The woman, Dolores, is recovering from the loss of her boyfriend but finds herself drinking more and more. How will she hope again?
  • The Men Who Couldn't Save Her by Donna Gordon
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    5–8
    ·
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic + 5 more
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    Keyword: Beheading, Anne Boleyn + 7 more
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic, drama, period, political, tragedy, young audiences
    Keyword: Beheading, Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII, betrayal, memory, adultery, treason, resilience, Pope
    Anne Boleyn is about to get the sword. She will be beheaded along with five men accused of adultery with her. And adultery is considered treason if your husband is King Henry VIII. Anne is in the cell, she has readied herself for the end, but she can't help thinking of the men who betrayed her. And also a few other people who always hated or loved her. A courtly tale of the woman who couldn't have done any more.
  • After The End by Donna Gordon
    Cast: 
    4–5
    ·
    Genre: faith-based
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    Keyword: armageddon, final war + 5 more
    Genre: faith-based
    Keyword: armageddon, final war, Peace, perfect health, Holy City, Jerusalem. Prophet, Jesus
    Margie and Sara have survived Armageddon, the final War to end all wars, that wipes out the world as we know it. They arrive in a New Earth, where the lion lays down with the lamb, there are no more wars, and no one gets sick. But this world still includes choices for human beings. This is speculation with some Biblical basis.
  • The Ribbon by Donna Gordon
    Recommendations: 8
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: docudrama/historic, drama + 1 more
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    Keyword: Guillotine, revolution + 3 more
    Genre: docudrama/historic, drama, horror
    Keyword: Guillotine, revolution, Terror, dreams, Paris
    This is eighteenth century France during the Reign of Terror, when political rivals and upper class women and men were sent to the guillotine. A man meet a woman in the most unexpected circumstances. This play is adapted from a short story by the early American writer Washington Irving entitled "The Adventure of the German Student". It evokes a time period in French history.
  • The Break Room by Donna Gordon
    Cast: 
    8
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, faith-based + 3 more
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    Keyword: PTSD, bullying + 4 more
    Genre: dark comedy, faith-based, holiday, period, young audiences
    Keyword: PTSD, bullying, World War II, employee, poet, hospitals
    This play takes place after WWII in the 1950's. It deals with the themes of bullying and PTSD. Those themes are related because cynicism and bitterness prevail in the break room of an inner city hospital. A poet is caught in the midst of this and searches to escape her environment. Morbid jokes prevail and create a dark humor. Regardless, romance is born and true personalities reveal themselves around...
    This play takes place after WWII in the 1950's. It deals with the themes of bullying and PTSD. Those themes are related because cynicism and bitterness prevail in the break room of an inner city hospital. A poet is caught in the midst of this and searches to escape her environment. Morbid jokes prevail and create a dark humor. Regardless, romance is born and true personalities reveal themselves around the coffee pot at Christmas time.
  • Out of the Bookstore by Donna Gordon
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    8–10
    ·
    Genre: faith-based, mystery/thriller
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    Keyword: crime, assault + 5 more
    Genre: faith-based, mystery/thriller
    Keyword: crime, assault, murder, detective, suspects, Victorian Hotel, graveyard
    Two unmarried sisters are odd, but are they killers? A Victorian Hotel proves to be the perfect setting for graveyards and discussions of death. All of this swirls around the hotel, its manager and visitors. A lone detective attempts to discern talk from action and, in so doing, solve the crime of assault at the beach. The sisters learn more about men, and other women in the play already know too much. But...
    Two unmarried sisters are odd, but are they killers? A Victorian Hotel proves to be the perfect setting for graveyards and discussions of death. All of this swirls around the hotel, its manager and visitors. A lone detective attempts to discern talk from action and, in so doing, solve the crime of assault at the beach. The sisters learn more about men, and other women in the play already know too much. But who has knowledge useful enough to solve this crime? The detective is the open book.