Sonya Hayden

Sonya Hayden is an NYC-based playwright, composer, lyricist, and bookwriter. Recipient of the MAC John Wallowitch Songwriting Award, NAMT Writers Residency Grant, ScreenCraft Stage Play Competition Mentorship Prize, Kurt Weill Foundation Songbook Award, Across a Crowded Room Fellowship, ASCAP Plus Award, Legacy Theatre Artist Residency, Marble House Project Residency, and Vermont Studio Center Fellowship. Finalist: Kleban Prize for Musical Theatre, Dramatists Guild Foundation (DGF) Fellows, Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Festival Play Contest. Semi-Finalist: O’Neill National Music Theater Conference. Her work has been featured at the Lincoln Center Festival, Lincoln Center Library, New Perspectives Theatre, Piccolo Spoleto Festival, Little Fish Theatre, Michigan State University’s New...

Sonya Hayden is an NYC-based playwright, composer, lyricist, and bookwriter. Recipient of the MAC John Wallowitch Songwriting Award, NAMT Writers Residency Grant, ScreenCraft Stage Play Competition Mentorship Prize, Kurt Weill Foundation Songbook Award, Across a Crowded Room Fellowship, ASCAP Plus Award, Legacy Theatre Artist Residency, Marble House Project Residency, and Vermont Studio Center Fellowship. Finalist: Kleban Prize for Musical Theatre, Dramatists Guild Foundation (DGF) Fellows, Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Festival Play Contest. Semi-Finalist: O’Neill National Music Theater Conference. Her work has been featured at the Lincoln Center Festival, Lincoln Center Library, New Perspectives Theatre, Piccolo Spoleto Festival, Little Fish Theatre, Michigan State University’s New Musical Lab, Florida Festival of New Musicals, Pittsburgh New Works Festival, and more. Member of the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop, Dramatists Guild, and ASCAP. Master’s in Playwriting, University of Edinburgh; B.A. Music, Princeton University. sonyahayden.com @sonyahayden11

Scripts

FOOLPROOF

Co-Book & Music by Sonya Hayden

Synopsis

FOOLPROOF is a brassy, toe-tapping musical comedy that follows close-knit sisters Jo, Mary, and Curly, who work in movie theater in 1930s Brooklyn. Upon learning the beloved theater is about to close, they hatch a screwball scheme to buy it themselves. In a Three Stooges meets I Love Lucy-esque escapade, their sisterhood is tested as they weigh the difference between foolhardy decisions and risks worth taking to...

FOOLPROOF is a brassy, toe-tapping musical comedy that follows close-knit sisters Jo, Mary, and Curly, who work in movie theater in 1930s Brooklyn. Upon learning the beloved theater is about to close, they hatch a screwball scheme to buy it themselves. In a Three Stooges meets I Love Lucy-esque escapade, their sisterhood is tested as they weigh the difference between foolhardy decisions and risks worth taking to achieve their dreams. For more information: https://www.sonyahayden.com/foolproof

The Dictator's Dentist

by Sonya Hayden

Synopsis

In this darkly absurdist dramedy, charismatic dentist Hugo Schmidt struggles to make ends meet in 1930s Germany and dreams of becoming an acclaimed practitioner. When given the opportunity to be personal dentist to rising politician Adolf Hitler, he thinks it's his ticket to success, but as Schmidt’s career takes off, his morals increasingly take a back seat to his ambitions. The play explores themes of...

In this darkly absurdist dramedy, charismatic dentist Hugo Schmidt struggles to make ends meet in 1930s Germany and dreams of becoming an acclaimed practitioner. When given the opportunity to be personal dentist to rising politician Adolf Hitler, he thinks it's his ticket to success, but as Schmidt’s career takes off, his morals increasingly take a back seat to his ambitions. The play explores themes of complicity and personal responsibility in the face of injustice. For licensing inquiries or to request a full perusal script: https://www.sonyahayden.com/licensing

Taking Off!

Book and Lyrics by Sonya Hayden

Synopsis

In this musical comedy set on a plane in 1964, enthusiastic first-time stewardess Amelia Darehart must navigate a wacky group of passengers' demands to succeed on an overseas flight from NYC to Paris — highflying fun for all! While a comedy, Taking Off! explores the push and pull between freedom and societal limitations, especially for women, in the era of second-wave feminism. In real life, on Pan Am airline...

In this musical comedy set on a plane in 1964, enthusiastic first-time stewardess Amelia Darehart must navigate a wacky group of passengers' demands to succeed on an overseas flight from NYC to Paris — highflying fun for all! While a comedy, Taking Off! explores the push and pull between freedom and societal limitations, especially for women, in the era of second-wave feminism. In real life, on Pan Am airline, stewardesses had to be 5’3” to 5’9”, weigh a maximum of 140 pounds (checked at “weigh-ins”), be unmarried and childless, and wear limited hairstyles and colors of makeup (checked by “grooming monitors”). Yet these women were highly skilled, had college degrees, spoke at least one other language, and could name all the parts of a plane (vortex generators, anyone?). Some of these incredible women spearheaded lawsuits throughout the late 1960s and ‘70s to end these sexist rules and fight for their right to be treated equally to men.

This musical comedy highlights the absurdity of the restrictions these women faced, captures their adventurous spirit, and encourages the audience to consider ways women still face similar barriers. And all this plus fabulous costumes, an epic love story, and lots and lots of turbulence! For licensing inquiries or to request a perusal script: https://www.sonyahayden.com/licensing

Cassie Goes to Congress

by Sonya Hayden

Synopsis

A one-act play about climate change and a penguin determined to do something about it. When her baby brother dies due to the sea ice breaking up too early, emperor penguin Cassie travels to Congress to convince them to combat climate change before it's too late. https://www.sonyahayden.com/cassie

A one-act play about climate change and a penguin determined to do something about it. When her baby brother dies due to the sea ice breaking up too early, emperor penguin Cassie travels to Congress to convince them to combat climate change before it's too late. https://www.sonyahayden.com/cassie

Wanda Does the Water Cycle

Book, Music, and Lyrics by Sonya Hayden

Synopsis

Wanda, a curious young water molecule, goes to explore the surface of her lake—only to evaporate and find herself embarking on an adventure through the water cycle! With the help of new friends, Wanda must learn about the water cycle in order to return home. For licensing inquiries or to request a perusal script: https://www.tnny.org/licensing/wanda-does-the-water-cycle

Wanda, a curious young water molecule, goes to explore the surface of her lake—only to evaporate and find herself embarking on an adventure through the water cycle! With the help of new friends, Wanda must learn about the water cycle in order to return home. For licensing inquiries or to request a perusal script: https://www.tnny.org/licensing/wanda-does-the-water-cycle

Crazy But True

Book and Lyrics by Sonya Hayden

Synopsis

In this 10-minute romantic comedy musical, two awkward, lonely individuals meet in a deserted subway station and must decide whether to pursue their surprising connection before the next train arrives. For licensing inquiries or to request a full perusal script: https://www.sonyahayden.com/licensing

In this 10-minute romantic comedy musical, two awkward, lonely individuals meet in a deserted subway station and must decide whether to pursue their surprising connection before the next train arrives. For licensing inquiries or to request a full perusal script: https://www.sonyahayden.com/licensing

There's Always Tomorrow

by Sonya Hayden

Synopsis

Determined Harper longs to explore the world beyond her conservative Southwest Virginia town but obstacles of marriage and motherhood constrain her as the years of her life slip away. There’s Always Tomorrow is a poignant exploration of how our identities, relationships, and worldviews are shaped by our upbringing and the places we call home. For licensing inquiries or to request a full perusal script: https:/...

Determined Harper longs to explore the world beyond her conservative Southwest Virginia town but obstacles of marriage and motherhood constrain her as the years of her life slip away. There’s Always Tomorrow is a poignant exploration of how our identities, relationships, and worldviews are shaped by our upbringing and the places we call home. For licensing inquiries or to request a full perusal script: https://www.sonyahayden.com/licensing

Baubles, Bangles, and Bankruptcy

by Sonya Hayden

Synopsis

In this 10-minute comedic play, bauble makers Betsy and Billy clash over their commitment to their relationship and bedazzled handicrafts when their beloved baubles and bangles boutique goes bankrupt. Simultaneously, their younger selves open the boutique for the first time, brimming with hope for their future. Will their glittering dreams of youth stand the test of time or are they as breakable as a bauble...

In this 10-minute comedic play, bauble makers Betsy and Billy clash over their commitment to their relationship and bedazzled handicrafts when their beloved baubles and bangles boutique goes bankrupt. Simultaneously, their younger selves open the boutique for the first time, brimming with hope for their future. Will their glittering dreams of youth stand the test of time or are they as breakable as a bauble? For licensing inquiries or to request a full perusal script: https://www.sonyahayden.com/licensing

The Clumps

by Sonya Hayden

Synopsis

In this one-act mystery/thriller play, a plucky American student meets a spry elderly Englishman on a hike in the British countryside, but neither is who they claim to be, and the surrounding hills hold a dark secret which threatens one or both of their lives. For licensing inquiries or to request a full perusal script: https://www.sonyahayden.com/licensing

In this one-act mystery/thriller play, a plucky American student meets a spry elderly Englishman on a hike in the British countryside, but neither is who they claim to be, and the surrounding hills hold a dark secret which threatens one or both of their lives. For licensing inquiries or to request a full perusal script: https://www.sonyahayden.com/licensing

A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

by Sonya Hayden

Synopsis

A one-act comedic play. In an animal-populated film noir-esque world, foxy fox heiress Isabella hires hardboiled Private Eye Zorro Valiente, who must confront a suspicious racoon, armadillo, and his archnemesis El Aterrador to find the thief threatening to steal Isabella’s priceless diamond anklet. For licensing inquiries or to request a full perusal script: https://www.sonyahayden.com/licensing

A one-act comedic play. In an animal-populated film noir-esque world, foxy fox heiress Isabella hires hardboiled Private Eye Zorro Valiente, who must confront a suspicious racoon, armadillo, and his archnemesis El Aterrador to find the thief threatening to steal Isabella’s priceless diamond anklet. For licensing inquiries or to request a full perusal script: https://www.sonyahayden.com/licensing

Just Like Magic

by Sonya Hayden

Synopsis

Locked together in a closet by their children, unhappily married couple Marisa and Chris will do anything to escape—both from the closet and each other. Trapped together, their resentments and frustrations boil over, forcing a decision about their commitment to their relationship. For licensing inquiries or to request a full perusal script: https://www.sonyahayden.com/licensing

Locked together in a closet by their children, unhappily married couple Marisa and Chris will do anything to escape—both from the closet and each other. Trapped together, their resentments and frustrations boil over, forcing a decision about their commitment to their relationship. For licensing inquiries or to request a full perusal script: https://www.sonyahayden.com/licensing

What in Creation Was That All About?

by Sonya Hayden

Synopsis

This one-act zany retelling of the biblical Creation story re-imagines God and his angels as a bunch of bros who decide to create Earth in seven days on a whim – much to the dismay of overworked angel Gabriel, who struggles to implement all of the wacky ideas in the limited time frame. For licensing inquiries or to request a full perusal script: https://www.sonyahayden.com/licensing

This one-act zany retelling of the biblical Creation story re-imagines God and his angels as a bunch of bros who decide to create Earth in seven days on a whim – much to the dismay of overworked angel Gabriel, who struggles to implement all of the wacky ideas in the limited time frame. For licensing inquiries or to request a full perusal script: https://www.sonyahayden.com/licensing

Circus Act

by Sonya Hayden

Synopsis

In this short drama, two people conjoined at the hip struggle to forge their own identities in their relationship; one wants to stick it out and the other feels stuck, leading to a painful choice. For licensing inquiries or to request a full perusal script: https://www.sonyahayden.com/licensing

In this short drama, two people conjoined at the hip struggle to forge their own identities in their relationship; one wants to stick it out and the other feels stuck, leading to a painful choice. For licensing inquiries or to request a full perusal script: https://www.sonyahayden.com/licensing