Stephanie Swirsky

Stephanie Swirsky

Stephanie Swirsky writes about illness, death, grieving, and cultural identity with humor, levity, and a sense of romantic adventure. Her plays have been developed or produced at The Brick Theater, The Flea Theater, INTAR, Luna Stage, Theatricum Botanicum, and WordBRIDGE, among others. She is a recipient of the Israel Baran Award and a CubaOne Literary Fellow. Stephanie received her BA from New York University...
Stephanie Swirsky writes about illness, death, grieving, and cultural identity with humor, levity, and a sense of romantic adventure. Her plays have been developed or produced at The Brick Theater, The Flea Theater, INTAR, Luna Stage, Theatricum Botanicum, and WordBRIDGE, among others. She is a recipient of the Israel Baran Award and a CubaOne Literary Fellow. Stephanie received her BA from New York University and her MFA in Dramatic Writing from the University of Southern California.

Plays

  • but you're okay
    A hyper-naturalistic exploration of how we respond to trauma in an age of dick pics and emojis. Olivia's been raped by her friend, Eric. But she seems totally fine. And if you think about it, Olivia and Eric would make a really cute couple.
  • Jew Kamp
    On a summer teen-tour trip, a group of teenagers visit concentration camps in Poland during the day, and then try to hook up with each other at night.
  • DON'T DO THIS TO US!
    In 2017, Rachel is worried that Jared Kushner is making the world more dangerous for Jews because his public image embodies the worst of Jewish stereotypes: he's wealthy, avaricious, and ominously wields world power behind the scenes. She devises a plan to go back in time to 1999, hook up with teenager-Jared, and break his penis, preventing him from marrying Ivanka – saving the reputation of Jews around the world.
  • I Changed My Mind, I'm Fine
    Hannah, 25, is diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer and quits her job as a pharmaceutical copywriter. She skips chemo to run off to Cuba, where her mother was born, with the hot insurance auditor who is following her. But no matter how far she runs, her body keeps catching up with her, and so does her dysfunctional family, keeping her adventure a little too real.
  • Work/Life
    Hayley works as a copywriter at an advertising agency marketing an erectile dysfunction drug in this dark comedy about the dehumanization and microaggressions of the corporate work environment.
  • Havana, Wisconsin
    Two recent Cuban immigrants, Yanela and Leo mostly to keep to themselves, though there is their neighbor Mary who’s in love with Leo. Yanela used to be a ballerina, and she and Leo came to the U.S. with high hopes of success. But they’re now stuck in their small studio apartment in Madison, Wisconsin — and Yanela has been taking a bath for two years.
  • Jessie & Sam (or Sam & Jessie): A Totally Absurd Love Story
    Jessica’s boyfriend, Sam, suddenly dies. She enlists the help of her mentor, The Artist, and brings Sam back to life by writing a play. Unfortunately, being the author of your own story doesn’t mean things will go as planned.