Clara Harris

Clara Harris

Clara Harris is an actor, writer, and artist educator with over two decades’ experience. She premiered her solo live-recorded audio drama, This Moment in America, at the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. A sonic collage of the American psyche, This Moment in America asks, "Can we find more to unite us than what divides us?" It is one part of a two-part project that includes the live-recorded show and...
Clara Harris is an actor, writer, and artist educator with over two decades’ experience. She premiered her solo live-recorded audio drama, This Moment in America, at the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. A sonic collage of the American psyche, This Moment in America asks, "Can we find more to unite us than what divides us?" It is one part of a two-part project that includes the live-recorded show and writing to heal workshops, incorporating dramatic writing and performance to create a story sharing space for personal and community healing.

With deep roots in live theatre, Clara loves a good story in any medium - film, audio, or live. As a playwright and essayist, her writing has appeared in print and onstage. Currently you can see two of her plays commissioned for elementary students at StageOne.org in their Theatre for Everywhere digital play library. One of those, Monster in Me, is available for production through Pioneer Publishing.

She is the creative force behind Swamp Witch Studio and its audio drama podcast, Night Owl Theatre.

This Moment in American workshops and live performance are available for touring.

Plays

  • Monster in Me by Clara Harris
    Cast: 
    3–7
    ·
    Genre: movement/physical, young audiences
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    Keyword: Social Emotional Learning, Elementary Schools + 7 more
    Genre: movement/physical, young audiences
    Keyword: Social Emotional Learning, Elementary Schools, small cast, anger management, food allergies, dealing with fear, childhood fear, bad behavior, mindfulness
    Two everyday students are guided by an omniscient host as their emotions become actual monster puppets that illustrate how feelings can sometimes be bigger than we are. As they journey through a typical school day, The Host teaches them and the audience three specific strategies for taming these monsters and learning what to do when we feel overcome by anger, fear, jealousy, or any other powerful emotion.
  • Bake-Off of Doom by Clara Harris
    Cast: 
    5–8
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, political + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: feminism, motherhood + 2 more
    Genre: dark comedy, political, radio drama
    Keyword: feminism, motherhood, dystopian society, baking
    When the sirens sound over Suburban Shoals, the mothers of The Realm report for the Annual Bake-Off, where more is at stake than bragging rights for the flakiest crust or the highest meringue. As the annual review of The Realm's Breeders, each woman's fitness as a mother is assessed – via her baking prowess. Secrets are revealed, dreams shared, and divisions fluctuate throughout the competition as The...
    When the sirens sound over Suburban Shoals, the mothers of The Realm report for the Annual Bake-Off, where more is at stake than bragging rights for the flakiest crust or the highest meringue. As the annual review of The Realm's Breeders, each woman's fitness as a mother is assessed – via her baking prowess. Secrets are revealed, dreams shared, and divisions fluctuate throughout the competition as The Realm's carefully constructed social strata begins to crack under the pressure of three mothers who must decide where their loyalties lie amidst the butter, flour, frosting, and fear.

    Available as a full-length one act play or a 50-minute audio drama.
  • Whazzits: Adventure on Earth by Clara Harris
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: movement/physical, science fiction + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: Social Emotional Learning, communication + 5 more
    Genre: movement/physical, science fiction, young audiences
    Keyword: Social Emotional Learning, communication, cooperation, mindfulness, Problem Solving, Alien visitors, stargazing
    Stargazer Gracie is surprised one stargazing night when an alien ship lands in her neighbor's field. Upon investigation, she discovers two frightened - and slightly frustrated - aliens. As she learns to communicate with them, the three develop a friendship and work through their differences to overcome the biggest challenge: getting home.
  • This Moment in America by Clara Harris
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: docudrama/historic, drama + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: American politics
    Genre: docudrama/historic, drama, political, radio drama, zoom
    Keyword: American politics
    A sonic collage of the American psyche that asks, "Can we find more to unite us than what divides us?"
  • Robin of Sherwood by Clara Harris
    Cast: 
    9–15
    ·
    Genre: adaptation, adventure + 2 more
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    Keyword: Robin Hood, Sherwood + 2 more
    Genre: adaptation, adventure, fable/folktale, young audiences
    Keyword: Robin Hood, Sherwood, legend, swashbuckling
    ROBIN OF SHERWOOD is an adventurous tale following the folk hero Robin Hood and his merry men as they swashbuckle their way through Sherwood Forest, helping a lovelorn minstrel, and fooling the Sherriff of Nottingham. Delving into the original ballads, ROBIN OF SHERWOOD features favorite characters with all the action expected from a Robin Hood story.
  • The Morgan Sisters of Vine Street by Clara Harris
    Cast: 
    15–30
    ·
    Genre: period, young audiences
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    Keyword: historical, appalachia + 3 more
    Genre: period, young audiences
    Keyword: historical, appalachia, The Great Depression, feminism, high school actors
    Lila, Mary, and Rosie Morgan navigate their own challenges, hopes, and dreams while juggling adult responsibilities to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. Set against the backdrop of The Great Depression in Chattanooga, Tennessee, this piece written for high school performance groups provides historical lessons and ample casting opportunities.
  • There Is No Sound in the Vacuum of Space by Clara Harris
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 3 more
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    Keyword: space exploration, communication + 1 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, radio drama, science fiction, zoom
    Keyword: space exploration, communication, Relationships
    Philae can't reach Sam. Sam can't reach Philae. Cal can't reach Sam. They're all about to crash.
    Inspired by the European Space Agency's Rosetta mission to Comet 67P (2004-2016).