Sharece M. Sellem

Sharece M. Sellem

A native of Hartford, CT, Sharece M. Sellem is a playwright, choreographer, director and performing arts instructor based out of New Haven, CT. She was trained by Headlong Performance Institute of Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania and Yale University’s Practical Approach to Directing Summer Program 2014. Her resume includes performances at Bregamos Community Theater, Long Wharf Theatre, Pride Arts Center of...
A native of Hartford, CT, Sharece M. Sellem is a playwright, choreographer, director and performing arts instructor based out of New Haven, CT. She was trained by Headlong Performance Institute of Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania and Yale University’s Practical Approach to Directing Summer Program 2014. Her resume includes performances at Bregamos Community Theater, Long Wharf Theatre, Pride Arts Center of Chicago, Charter Oak Cultural Center, Carriage House Theater, Illinois Voices Theatre, Norwich Arts Center, University of California San Diego and more. She is the founder of Vintage Soul Productions LLC.

Plays

  • Nothing At All Suspicious At The Beach (Short Play, Comedy)
    A positive Penny and a negative Nancy scan the beach for the perfect spot to relax. Once they reach a potential spot, they run into a guy Nancy believes she saw on Crime Hour. Both sisters have very different opinions about this guy and will need to figure out their next move.

    *Note to the director: NANCY makes a reference to Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut and PENNY makes references to towns...
    A positive Penny and a negative Nancy scan the beach for the perfect spot to relax. Once they reach a potential spot, they run into a guy Nancy believes she saw on Crime Hour. Both sisters have very different opinions about this guy and will need to figure out their next move.

    *Note to the director: NANCY makes a reference to Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut and PENNY makes references to towns in Connecticut (New Haven and New London). These locations can be amended in the script to fit your hometown.
  • My Finace's Ex Wife is the Devil, Short Play (Zoom)
    Alisa is keeping an old secret a little too long and the antagonizing ex-wife of her soon-to-be-husband appears with an interesting proposition. Easily adaptable for Zoom.

  • New Years 2021 (Short Zoom Play)
    It’s New Year’s Eve 2021 and Aunt Barbie is holding her annual New Year’s Eve get-together with her nieces via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With wine glasses full of non-alcoholic beverages, lipstick and the traditional countdown, Aunt Barbie learns about the war brewing inside of her nieces as we discover that there is more to learn happening on the outside. (Trigger warning: the subject matter in this...
    It’s New Year’s Eve 2021 and Aunt Barbie is holding her annual New Year’s Eve get-together with her nieces via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With wine glasses full of non-alcoholic beverages, lipstick and the traditional countdown, Aunt Barbie learns about the war brewing inside of her nieces as we discover that there is more to learn happening on the outside. (Trigger warning: the subject matter in this play touches on sensitive subjects around immigration, Trump cult followers, the Jan 6th event at the White House, and white supremacy)
  • The Ghost of America's Past (Choreopoem)
    The Ghost of America's Past prompts us to look beyond the surface of our nations' continuous civil unrest. Clearly, there is a problem, however, somewhere in between the years and changes (some for progress and some regress) we, as a nation, speak and behave as if racism and the horrors of the African slave trade comes as new information - just dusted off. There is what feels to be a ghost like...
    The Ghost of America's Past prompts us to look beyond the surface of our nations' continuous civil unrest. Clearly, there is a problem, however, somewhere in between the years and changes (some for progress and some regress) we, as a nation, speak and behave as if racism and the horrors of the African slave trade comes as new information - just dusted off. There is what feels to be a ghost like presence looming over the country every time the media sends shock waves of graphic images and stories about modern day lynchings or episode of police brutality and the like. This piece was written as a choreopoem with the intention to have the human body explore this visceral, macbre, and unapologetic storytelling.
  • This is Not Business as Per Usual (Short Zoom Play)
    Chloe participates in a meeting "at work" on Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic which turns into her last one. This takes place one week after George Floyd's murder by Minneapolis police. This play was written as a response to systemic racism. This is also the extended short play version of the "Dear Management" monologue.
  • Just Breathe (Short Zoom Play)
    Dr. Marian and nursing assistant, Janine, have their new patient telehealth Zoom appointment with, Patience, a stressed wife and mother of two during the COVID-19 pandemic. How does restriction play a role for all?
  • Dear Management (Monologue)
    Chloe records a video of her resignation one week after George Floyd's murder by Minneapolis police. This monologue was written as a response to systemic racism.
  • It's Over, Queen Mya (Monologue)
    Max is seeing someone else and records a breakup video for his now ex-girlfriend, Mya. This piece explores toxicity and growth as a people.
  • Daisies on Harlem's Doorstep (Full Length Play)
    "Love is a dangerous desperation. Everybody gotta pay...sometime." It's Spring of 1929 in Harlem, a season before the stock market crashed and the world suffered what would be known as the Great Depression. The streets are filled with lights and glitter and for an innocent Daisy, who only wants to find her sister, four very different women show her how to grow in concrete. *Highly recommended for...
    "Love is a dangerous desperation. Everybody gotta pay...sometime." It's Spring of 1929 in Harlem, a season before the stock market crashed and the world suffered what would be known as the Great Depression. The streets are filled with lights and glitter and for an innocent Daisy, who only wants to find her sister, four very different women show her how to grow in concrete. *Highly recommended for colleges and universities.
  • Becoming La Baker (Full Length Play, One Woman Show)
    The spirit of Josephine Baker beckons you to watch as she takes over the body of a young African-American woman to give a voice to her restlessness. She recounts her own history in 1920’s-1975 as she courageously pushed through obstacles to become France’s sweetheart, La Baker. An eclectic and vivacious triple threat-dancer, singer, and actress, La Baker fought till the end of her life to unite all races. A...
    The spirit of Josephine Baker beckons you to watch as she takes over the body of a young African-American woman to give a voice to her restlessness. She recounts her own history in 1920’s-1975 as she courageously pushed through obstacles to become France’s sweetheart, La Baker. An eclectic and vivacious triple threat-dancer, singer, and actress, La Baker fought till the end of her life to unite all races. A fixture of the Harlem Renaissance and a symbol of beauty and freedom, Becoming La Baker educates, inspires, and entertains. This work is a tribute to the legacy of Josephine Baker.
  • The Nice Girl & The Scrub (Monologue)
    Roni, a nice girl who just wants to replenish her apricot scrub, records herself after a run in with a guy on a bike. On a mid-April afternoon in 2020, on her balcony, Roni presses record (with any device).
  • Lemon Cookies to Lemonade (Monologue)
    Lisa is in her kitchen prepared to record a video for absentee ex-fiancé, Jimmy.
  • Tomcat Has Deja Vu (Monologue)
    Thomas records a video of himself exposing his now, ex-girlfriend, in retaliation for the way she broke up with him right at the start of the stay home, stay safe mandate.
  • Love & Armageddon (Monologue)
    On April 3, 2020, the coronavirus pandemic has 22 year old Janice and her elderly roommate quarantined. She sits at her laptop wearing an apron while preparing to send a video message to Joshua who lives in Bethel, the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She presses record.
  • The Giraffe in the Room (Monologue)
    Jupiter, a young aspiring actress, has prepared her room for lockdown. She is starting a video diary to document the experience. She’s excited to get started with her COVID plans until the reality of her uncertain future kicks in.
  • Taste My Music (Monologue)
    COVID-19 took over the world before Jared could truly make the love connection with his reality tv show co-star bride, Jaylonna, on Bride to Be.
  • Home is Where You Are (Monologue)
    Andre records a video message for his younger brother, Ben, who lives in South Africa. He is staying at a friend’s house in New York before heading back to Canada. He fears he has contracted coronavirus and makes an effort to express his feelings.
  • A Light in the Dark (Monologue)
    Caroline was an aspiring actor ready to move to New York. She gives her testimonial video about letting go of her Broadway dreams and creating a candle business during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Box In A Hole (Monologue)
    Tabitha discovers a secret in her Jehovah's Witness grandparent's backyard.
  • The Brilliant Unbaptized Publisher (Short Play)
    Authencia has been learning how to become a Jehovah’s Witness with a pioneer sister, Sister Bamboozled. She has now come to the point of discussing baptism, however, a twenty-thousanddollar scholarship to go to college is on the table and the Jehovah’s Witness organization vehemently discourages higher education. She is faced with a tough decision – faith or future?
  • The Alien at the Denver Airport (Short Play)
    Susan has the responsibility of chaperoning her sister, Erin, on a flight to their father’s funeral. These two have not seen each other in person over a long period of time, mostly because Erin has chosen not to join the Jehovah’s Witnesses along with Susan. Some bags get unpacked and some interesting truths are revealed at the Denver Airport.