Stephanie K. Brownell

Winter. Mitchell International Airport. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Just past the security check point. There is a small patch of carpet with a row of chairs and perhaps a table. A sign hangs above the space: “Recombobulation Area.” When frazzled passenger Jackie leaves her engagement ring at security, she gets an unexpected talking-to from no-nonsense TSA agent Linda.

2015 National Partners of the American Theatre Playwriting Excellence Award Winner
2015 WomenWorks Runner Up

She Eats Apples is a nonlinear exploration of rape culture as seen through the eyes for four teenagers embroiled in the complexities of growing up. When sixteen-year-old Ashley realizes her first time was significantly less than perfect, her slut-fabulous best friend Lily encourages her to reconcile with her boyfriend. Feeling betrayed, Ashley seeks out the advice of a survivor of sexual assault who’s been alienated from the rest of the group. Meanwhile, Lily teams up with Ashley’s nice-guy boyfriend, Ben, on a quest to get Ashley back on their side before their relationships crumble. Reality and fantasy intertwine as Ashley finds the breadcrumbs of her experience in biology lessons, hopscotch rhymes, fairytales and art history.

Photos and More: www.skbrownell.com/she-eats-apples

Tonya has finally hustled her way to the top, finding social media fame as a vegan health guru into a network TV gig hosting her own cooking show. Now, for her very special 100th episode, Tonya has gathered a live audience and invited a Very Special Guest, her bff Sasha. But when Sasha bails at the last minute, Tonya has to deal with the bomb her friend has dropped and ask herself and her audience whether their relationship to food is as healthy as it seems.

Chop uses the strengths of live theatre to put an intimate and sensory spin on the format of a TV cooking show, while inviting theatre audiences to think of pop cultural figures and social media starlets in a new way: as imperfect, unphotoshopped humans. Tonya, our protagonist, is not your standard TV star. After a chubby childhood, she’s transformed her life to become, in her own words, “not a toothpick… not… extra firm tofu, or-- or like minced onion… more like a nice, hearty chop.” We’ve all heard that the average American woman is a size 14, but we still rarely see these “average” women on our screens, or, let’s be honest, in our theatres. Tonya’s story not only gives voice to a woman who does not fit into the traditional model of beauty, but delves into the complex story of the relationships to food with which we, as a country, are just beginning to grapple. So many Americans live in a place and time of plenty with better access to food than ever before, but through overconsumption, underconsumption, and the moral labeling of ingredients, so many of us still fail to achieve a balanced diet. Tonya’s story speaks to a concern that, while not unique to women, affects women’s bodies in specific and harmful ways, and which intersects with a spectrum of identities, including race, heritage, class, and geography. As new plus size models and body-positive ad campaigns gain mainstream traction in the wake of a country-wide crusade against the obesity epidemic, Chop invites theatregoers to engage with a questions that affect all of us, but on which we often choose to remain silent.

an origin myth.
a campfire tale.
a trinity.

When Daniele's lifelong friend Ofelia moves to town, Daniele can't wait to introduce her to new bestie Bridget. She's always thought they would get along--and they would... if it weren't for their demons. As each leg of the triad buckles in turn, the women struggle to come to terms with the outside forces that haunt them.

2014 Gary Garrison National 10-Minute Play Award Finalist

Brian is has gone undercover to expose the criminal activities of the no-good-punk-teens at the game store. When coworker Leah blows his cover, he enlists her help in the fight against evil so he can salvage his relationship with the store owner to sell his mint condition Atari 2600 (with original joysticks) at a fair price.

A comic book come to life, 'after a MAN' follows Steve and Diana as they reconcile their binary natures. When a newcomer arrives in Diana and Steve’s two-dimensional world, Steve is dead set on protecting Diana. But when Steve’s violent options fail to negate the influence of the intruder, Steve is forced to redefine himself as Diana expands from her cartoon life into a third dimension.

After their father's death, three siblings argue over what to do with the remains of his body and of their relationships.

In a world where math, science, and reproductive medicine are forbidden to women, Esther goes into the woods seeking help from a wisewoman. What she finds is the wisewoman's granddaughter, Ruth.