Jeanette Hill

Jeanette Hill

Jeanette W. Hill
Multiple award-winning playwright, Jeanette W. Hill, is a creative activist whose unique voice and delivery make it difficult, if not impossible to categorize her or her work. Her courage in approaching the taboo subjects of African American community head on causes her to stand out.
As the artistic director and founder of JWHill Productions LLC, her mission is to tell stories...
Jeanette W. Hill
Multiple award-winning playwright, Jeanette W. Hill, is a creative activist whose unique voice and delivery make it difficult, if not impossible to categorize her or her work. Her courage in approaching the taboo subjects of African American community head on causes her to stand out.
As the artistic director and founder of JWHill Productions LLC, her mission is to tell stories about the African American experience with ‘their’ voice.
An advisory board member for the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival and Urban Playwrights United; an Artist INC facilitator, she is also a member of The Dramatists Guild, New Play Exchange and the International Centre for Women Playwrights.
Her work has been included in three anthologies, When Women Become Business Owners, When Women Connect, and her fictional work When Love Comes Calling. She is also featured in the documentary, Black and Write. Jeanette continues to share and encourage others to pursue their talent and calling through her talks, presentations and workshops.
The recipient of numerous national awards and recognitions from coveted organizations including the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival, DC Black Theatre Festival, the Kingdomwood Christian Film Festival, Ntozake Shange Reading Series/Woodie King Jr., and New Federal Theatre, Black Pearls Magazine, and Urban Playwrights United. For the last thirteen years she has been awarded funding and support from the City of Austin Economic Development Division, and other Arts organizations such as the Mid-America Arts Alliance and other fiscal sponsorships.
Jeanette is a sought-after panelist, peer reviewer and consultant for several groups and organizations including the City of Austin Cultural Arts Program, Mid-America Arts Association, Atlanta Black Theatre Festival, and the American Association of Community Theatre.
Jeanette can be contacted via social media, email or her website.
jeanette@jwhillprod.com
www.jwhillproductions.com
Facebook -JWHill Productions LLC
Instagram: @jeanettewhill
New Play Exchange Jeanette Hill
Twitter: @jeanettewhill


Plays

  • The Saturdays by Jeanette Hill
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: Women friendships, one set + 2 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, melodrama
    Keyword: Women friendships, one set, small cast, difficult choices
    Four successful women have developed a close, caring relationship after working together in their community over the years. Their hectic schedules only allow them to dedicated one Saturday a month to their friendship. For the last several years, Synthia, Rhys, Valerie and Nora have been meeting for brunch once a month at Ms. Mabel’s Soulful Restaurant, a popular location in the community. If you asked them,...
    Four successful women have developed a close, caring relationship after working together in their community over the years. Their hectic schedules only allow them to dedicated one Saturday a month to their friendship. For the last several years, Synthia, Rhys, Valerie and Nora have been meeting for brunch once a month at Ms. Mabel’s Soulful Restaurant, a popular location in the community. If you asked them, they would affirm they have a special bond, that they can depend on each other in trying times. It sounds good when things are going well. Can those close and caring friendships support each other when challenges arise? Can they trust each with their issues or will the Imposter Syndrome rear its ugly head? What if she’s wrestling with a challenge of her own?
  • Beginning Again...Again by Jeanette Hill
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: mature women, starting over + 3 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: mature women, starting over, life choices, women's support systems, metoo
    Over fifty and now divorced, Joyce Campbell spent most of her life as a suburban housewife and mother. With her children grown, going back to college, and following her less than amicable divorce, her life takes a drastic change. Her financial situation has forced her to downsize from her 3,500 square foot suburban home, down to sharing a condo to finding herself in a 900 square foot, one-bedroom apartment in...
    Over fifty and now divorced, Joyce Campbell spent most of her life as a suburban housewife and mother. With her children grown, going back to college, and following her less than amicable divorce, her life takes a drastic change. Her financial situation has forced her to downsize from her 3,500 square foot suburban home, down to sharing a condo to finding herself in a 900 square foot, one-bedroom apartment in an urban area. Her challenges are just beginning!
  • I Am Not A Martyr by Jeanette Hill
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: adaptation, drama + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: Monlogue, black lives matter + 7 more
    Genre: adaptation, drama, melodrama, zoom
    Keyword: Monlogue, black lives matter, black woman, Race, heartbreak, social justice, family issues, Race and Gender issues, storng woman
    Monologue. Carolyn Merritt answers her brother's claim that she is becoming a martyr to the Black Lives Matter movement at the expense of her womanhood.
    (Excerpt from the play, 'Don't Call Me Brother! ')



  • Moses and The Committee Meeting by Jeanette Hill
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: comedy, faith-based + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: church, a short Zoom play + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, faith-based, zoom
    Keyword: church, a short Zoom play, commandments, faith
    Synopsis
    It is present day and in the midst of the pandemic Moses of Genesis has just returned from an extended one-on-one meeting with God. With rumors flying, he has been summoned to a meeting with the church leaders. Word on the street is that there are some major lifestyle changes coming to this close-knit church and these leaders want answers. However, according to Moses, the Ten Commandments, as...
    Synopsis
    It is present day and in the midst of the pandemic Moses of Genesis has just returned from an extended one-on-one meeting with God. With rumors flying, he has been summoned to a meeting with the church leaders. Word on the street is that there are some major lifestyle changes coming to this close-knit church and these leaders want answers. However, according to Moses, the Ten Commandments, as people are calling them, were given to him directly by God, so there won’t be a lot of discussion . See how these self-important leaders are going to react to the Commandments in today’s climate and especially during this pandemic!
  • This Woman's Worth by Jeanette Hill
    Cast: 
    7
    ·
    Genre: drama, melodrama
    ·
    Keyword: Strong women roles, African American + 3 more
    Genre: drama, melodrama
    Keyword: Strong women roles, African American, 30-somethings, abusive relationship, corporate culture
    Viola Madison as the highest-ranking woman and person of color at Norris International, is walking a tightrope to avoid a corporate time bomb. In her position, there are no secrets. Previously, the indiscretions of Trent Norris, the company CEO who is also her boss were handled discretely and it was back to business as usual. However, Caitlin Ackers, his latest conquest is not going quietly into the night like...
    Viola Madison as the highest-ranking woman and person of color at Norris International, is walking a tightrope to avoid a corporate time bomb. In her position, there are no secrets. Previously, the indiscretions of Trent Norris, the company CEO who is also her boss were handled discretely and it was back to business as usual. However, Caitlin Ackers, his latest conquest is not going quietly into the night like those before her. She files a sexual harassment lawsuit intent on bringing all of his secrets out. The two sides consider her expendable, but neither side knows her true worth .
  • Clean Sheets by Jeanette Hill
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: drama, melodrama
    ·
    Keyword: multi-generational issues. women's issues, family dysfunction + 2 more
    Genre: drama, melodrama
    Keyword: multi-generational issues. women's issues, family dysfunction, strong roles for mature women, women over forty
    Victoria Reeves was determined to be a success, believing it would erase her unpleasant childhood. Twenty-five years later, she has that success and more…professionally respected around the globe.

    Her personal life…not so much. Keeping her distance from her family has helped. But now, her beloved Aunt Rose needs her support. Her husband, Henry has died and Rose has asked for Vickie’s...
    Victoria Reeves was determined to be a success, believing it would erase her unpleasant childhood. Twenty-five years later, she has that success and more…professionally respected around the globe.

    Her personal life…not so much. Keeping her distance from her family has helped. But now, her beloved Aunt Rose needs her support. Her husband, Henry has died and Rose has asked for Vickie’s support to help her through this difficult adjustment. The bittersweet reunion takes a turn for the worse when Vickie is not only unable to control the memories of her youth but she discovers there are more secrets lurking about. Revealing the truth may save her but it will destroy those she loves. Is that too high a price to pay?

  • Don't Call Me Brother! by Jeanette Hill
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    7
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: family, black lives matter + 1 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: family, black lives matter, social justice

    Another white cop fires his gun. Another black teen is dead. Shouts of ‘Black Lives Matter’ echo throughout a city on the verge of erupting.
    Andrew, the newly appointed assistant police chief, believes the issue can be resolved by him working inside the system and Hassan, his brother, an activist, sees that system as the problem. This recent killing strains their already fragile relationship....

    Another white cop fires his gun. Another black teen is dead. Shouts of ‘Black Lives Matter’ echo throughout a city on the verge of erupting.
    Andrew, the newly appointed assistant police chief, believes the issue can be resolved by him working inside the system and Hassan, his brother, an activist, sees that system as the problem. This recent killing strains their already fragile relationship.
    The community is screaming for an arrest. The police are stalling for time. The city may burn before the brothers come together.




  • Picking Up the Pieces by Jeanette Hill
    Cast: 
    7
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: extended family, black female roles + 1 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, romantic comedy
    Keyword: extended family, black female roles, social justice
    Three neighborhood women from different generations form an unlikely bond as they struggle to find a new normal for their shattered lives. They must deal with love, loss and learning to love again that goes beyond traditional ideas of family, relationships, and generational lines.
  • What Happens in This House... by Jeanette Hill
    Cast: 
    2–3
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama
    ·
    Keyword: metoo, family + 3 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama
    Keyword: metoo, family, African American culture and identity, abuse of women, teen abuse
    **This is a poorly constructed 10 minute urban fairy tale about #METOO and revenge**
    “What happens in this house, stays in the house!” How many times have we heard those words? In our family about a million! They’ve heard it in the Spencer family too but it was to protect the privacy and safety of the family. For most families, it works well. But there were times that its purpose didn’t provide the...
    **This is a poorly constructed 10 minute urban fairy tale about #METOO and revenge**
    “What happens in this house, stays in the house!” How many times have we heard those words? In our family about a million! They’ve heard it in the Spencer family too but it was to protect the privacy and safety of the family. For most families, it works well. But there were times that its purpose didn’t provide the safety it should have and in the end corrective action … ah, just read! (Can be performed without Urban Grandmother character)
  • The Prayer Request by Jeanette Hill
    Cast: 
    5–6
    ·
    Genre: comedy, faith-based
    ·
    Keyword: church, gossip + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, faith-based
    Keyword: church, gossip, Farce, faith
    This is take on Christians who don’t quite have a handle on what it means to be a help and not a hindrance. Gossip under the guise of prayer is nothing new to the church body but this provides a different take on it. This short but humorous play shows what can happen when the gossiper is on the receiving end of the gossip! While written from an African American point of view dialogue is such that characters are not race specific.
  • The Elevator by Jeanette Hill
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: faith-based, holiday + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: christmas, youth + 1 more
    Genre: faith-based, holiday, young audiences
    Keyword: christmas, youth, faith
    The calendar says it’s Christmas but the Christmas spirit hasn’t touched everyone. It is Christmas Eve and last minute shopping has a lot of people in frenzy. Several of these frenzied individuals are stuck in the elevator of an upscale department store at closing time. The Christmas spirit of an urban teen aggravates them more than soothers them…at first. (Short/ 10-minute play about the Christmas season)
  • A Hard Choice by Jeanette Hill
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    5–8
    ·
    Genre: drama, young audiences
    ·
    Keyword: bullying, middle school + 2 more
    Genre: drama, young audiences
    Keyword: bullying, middle school, life choices, urban
    Bryan and Steve are seventh graders in an urban neighborhood, who have been physically and emotionally bullied all year by classmate Frank and his buddies. Afraid the other kids will make fun of them, they have remained silent. Today Frank and his buddies have not only forced them off of the basketball court, they punched and made fun of them in front of the other students. For Bryan, this is the last straw....
    Bryan and Steve are seventh graders in an urban neighborhood, who have been physically and emotionally bullied all year by classmate Frank and his buddies. Afraid the other kids will make fun of them, they have remained silent. Today Frank and his buddies have not only forced them off of the basketball court, they punched and made fun of them in front of the other students. For Bryan, this is the last straw. He has an ‘eye-for-an-eye’ plan but will this plan help his situation or make it worse? (Extra youth can walk around watching)
  • What Is a Friend? by Jeanette Hill
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: drama, young audiences
    ·
    Keyword: bullying, urban + 4 more
    Genre: drama, young audiences
    Keyword: bullying, urban, self-esteem, high school, coming of age, friendship
    High school student, Kisha has been best friends with Ashley and Ebonee, since grade school. When Ashley and Ebonee start bullying Meredith, another student, Kisha is put in an uncomfortable position. Seeing them in a new light, she has to make a decision. When Kisha defends Meredith, Ashley and Ebonee, tell her that she must make a choice. She can be their friend or she can be Meredith’s friend-but not both!