Dana Hall

Dana Hall

Dana Hall is a Chicago-based author, playwright, speaker, and mental health therapist. Her award-winning children's book, Beyond Words was released in 2020. She was a Finalist Winner in the 2021 Hear Me Out Monologue Competition & Labor Day Festival and her play Stay Awhile took place in the Two-Hander Slam competition in October 2021.
Her plays have been featured in dozens of theatres and...
Dana Hall is a Chicago-based author, playwright, speaker, and mental health therapist. Her award-winning children's book, Beyond Words was released in 2020. She was a Finalist Winner in the 2021 Hear Me Out Monologue Competition & Labor Day Festival and her play Stay Awhile took place in the Two-Hander Slam competition in October 2021.
Her plays have been featured in dozens of theatres and highlights include a best of fringe award at the Women’s Theatre Festival (NC) summer/2021 for her examination of social disparities with the piece, No Justice. Her show Unprovoked was featured as one of two PRIDE shows published by Barely Seen Editor 2021. Her original full-length virtual comedy The Tenant was featured in the Rogue Theater Festival (NYC) 2021 & Thornhill Fringe Festival. She was also nominated Best Director and Best Play at Triangle Rainbow Theatre’s LGBTQ play festival (NYC 2021) for her work on a show she also wrote called Sunny Side Up. Her comedic monologue Plaque Kills is in Equity Theatre Library. She has been published with Smith Scripts UK & Stage Plays.
She is the co-founder and artistic director of This Moment Productions, a virtual theatre company with the mission to increase access and equity in the theatrical arts.
She is a member of the Dramatist Guild of America, International Centre for Women Playwrights, and HonorRoll! DanaLHall.com

Plays

  • Stay Awhile by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 10
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, zoom
    ·
    Keyword: complex grief, family + 6 more
    Genre: drama, zoom
    Keyword: complex grief, family, mother, daughters, death, loss, widower, drama
    Samantha has been concerned about her mother, Janice, since her father’s passing. She has convinced Janice to use video chat to catch up with her and see how she is doing. This play deals with complex grief. It’s a window into the world most families do not talk about.
  • Chasing Cinderella by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2–5
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: A fairy tale, gender roles + 5 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, melodrama, radio drama, young audiences, zoom
    Keyword: A fairy tale, gender roles, diversity, family, LGBTQ, women, peer pressure
    40 Minute Play
    As children, we are captivated by fairy tales full of whimsy. But not all of us see ourselves represented in those pages- Chasing Cinderella is a coming-of-age story that proves real life can be better than any fairy tale when you’re true to yourself.
  • Ahavah by Dana Hall
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: Jewish, Sitting shiva + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, melodrama, radio drama, zoom
    Keyword: Jewish, Sitting shiva, 10 minute comedy, 2 hander, A Family Comedy, death and grief, self esteem
    10 Minute Comedy/ Co-Written with David Lipschutz
    After his Bubbie’s death, Saul returns home to his family after a long absence to sit Shiva. Alice,
    Saul’s girlfriend joins him. Saul tries to portray the perfect version of what he thinks his family
    wants. However, a message from the beyond leads both Saul and Alice to some meaningful
    realizations.
  • Copycat by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: sisterhood, adult friendship + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, drama, radio drama, zoom
    Keyword: sisterhood, adult friendship, women, female writers
    10min
    Copycat highlights the complexity of female relationships and challenges the concept of artistic freedom.
  • Always by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, radio drama + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: features roles for older actors, actors falling in love + 2 more
    Genre: drama, radio drama, romantic comedy, zoom
    Keyword: features roles for older actors, actors falling in love, A Family Comedy/drama, valentine
    10 min
    After a medical emergency, Harold and Francis share how their love has grown through the years.
  • Me, Myself, & Moscato by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: romance, online dating + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, farce, parody/spoof, zoom
    Keyword: romance, online dating, comedy, one act, dating
    10 min
    Welcome to virtual dating- with a twist. Steph logs on to meet Mark but along on their date is the option to meet each others' exes. Has Steph found her true love or just the bottom of her glass? This comedic look at the direction of matchmaking is laugh-out-loud funny. Guaranteed to make you laugh, cringe, and keep you intrigued until the end.

  • Boogie Man by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: horror, radio drama + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: psychological thriller, horror. short 5-minute play + 4 more
    Genre: horror, radio drama, zoom
    Keyword: psychological thriller, horror. short 5-minute play, halloween, crazy murders, dating horror stories, fright
    Very Short Thriller (2min)
    A first date to remember.
  • Sorry I'm Late by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: audition monologue, woman + 2 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: audition monologue, woman, comedy, comedy monologue
    Comedic Monologue.
    An actress is late for her audition.
  • My Vagina Has A First Name by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: comedy, farce + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: vaginal comedy, funny women + 1 more
    Genre: comedy, farce, zoom
    Keyword: vaginal comedy, funny women, Virtual Comedy
    When these 5 friends get together for “book club” life gives them a plot twist they won’t soon forget.
  • Under the Floorboards by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: adaptation, horror + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: spooky, halloween + 7 more
    Genre: adaptation, horror, mystery/thriller, radio drama, zoom
    Keyword: spooky, halloween, Scary, scary stories, haunted, dark thriller, crazy murders, fright, horror
    Short 15min.
    Under the Floorboards is an adaptation of Egar Allen Poe’s Tell-Tale Heart that depicts the internal struggle to escape patriarchal constraints. The narrator seeks deliverance from the paternal surveillance (The EYE), that has dominated and abused its privilege for far too long.
    This updated version captures the essence of the original with a modern twist.
    This is the stage...
    Short 15min.
    Under the Floorboards is an adaptation of Egar Allen Poe’s Tell-Tale Heart that depicts the internal struggle to escape patriarchal constraints. The narrator seeks deliverance from the paternal surveillance (The EYE), that has dominated and abused its privilege for far too long.
    This updated version captures the essence of the original with a modern twist.
    This is the stage version.

    If needing a virtual version please inquire.

  • All Grown Up by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: absent father, father-daughter relationship + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, melodrama, zoom
    Keyword: absent father, father-daughter relationship, A Family Comedy/drama, Daughter, adults growing up
    10 min
    Steve invites his daughter Diana out for a dinner in the hopes of reconnecting. Has too much time passed for these two to connect?
  • Just Breathe by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: drama, radio drama + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: emotional trauma, crisis recovery + 4 more
    Genre: drama, radio drama, zoom
    Keyword: emotional trauma, crisis recovery, both physical and mental illness, emotional healing, C-PTSD, sexual assualt
    Monologue
    Emily is sharing about her trauma at her first NAMI support group.
  • Because I Said So by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: drama, political + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: gun control, contemporary parenting + 6 more
    Genre: drama, political, radio drama, tragedy, zoom
    Keyword: gun control, contemporary parenting, mother, 1min Monologues for stage or screen, audition monologue, female monologue, competition monologue, A Family Comedy/drama
    A two-minute monologue for auditions.
    Raising socially conscious kids is not easy especially in the climate we face today.
  • Invisible by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: 1min Monologues for stage or screen, comedy monologue + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, melodrama, radio drama, zoom
    Keyword: 1min Monologues for stage or screen, comedy monologue, competition monologue, male monologue
    Monologue 1-2min
    No one likes rejection but there's something worse... being forgotten.
    A lifetime of feeling invisible leaves John contemplating if he matters.
  • Ghost In The Net by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: Tennis, tennis pro + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, melodrama, radio drama, zoom
    Keyword: Tennis, tennis pro, adult friendship, bonds of friendship, sports, 2 men
    10min
    Two friends sit on a bench next to a tennis court.
  • What Happened To Tinker Bell? by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: zoom
    ·
    Keyword: audition monologue, comic monologue + 1 more
    Genre: zoom
    Keyword: audition monologue, comic monologue, female monologue
    Monologue
    BETH is a mother of a precocious four-year-old that always keeps her on her toes. Beth tells the story of her daughter’s bedtime question to a friend. We come to see she has definitive feelings about how things are supposed to be in relationships as she reveals more than just the truth about what happened to Tinker Bell.
  • Don't Lose Your Head by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: halloween comedy, halloween party + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, holiday, horror, parody/spoof, science fiction
    Keyword: halloween comedy, halloween party, halloween, October, Day of the Dead, eggs
    A couple comes back from the dead for one night. Can they manage to not lose their heads?
  • Foreign Bodies by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    5–7
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: pregnancy, loss + 3 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: pregnancy, loss, medical, miscarriage, women rights
    10min
    Holly shares her experience with reproductive care and the standard of care that often leaves women feeling like their bodies are not their own.
    TW: Miscarriage/Medical
  • Underneath by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: hoarding, elderly + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, drama, melodrama
    Keyword: hoarding, elderly, coping with death and grief, A Family issue
    Short 15min
    Synopsis: Steve is concerned about the amount of stuff his elderly parents have packed into their home. He comes to learn a lesson about holding on and letting go.
  • Unprovoked by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: melodrama, radio drama + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: Family. Gay. Straight. LGBTQ, LGBTQ + 3 more
    Genre: melodrama, radio drama, zoom
    Keyword: Family. Gay. Straight. LGBTQ, LGBTQ, pride, ALLY, drama
    Synopsis: A high school student gets into a physical altercation with another student. It is revealed there is much more under the surface when Isaiah finds himself trapped between impossible choices. This play represents the statistics indicating LGBTQ youth are not receiving the support, acceptance, and advocacy needed to ensure their health and wellness. It is in response to the death record reports of LGBTQ...
    Synopsis: A high school student gets into a physical altercation with another student. It is revealed there is much more under the surface when Isaiah finds himself trapped between impossible choices. This play represents the statistics indicating LGBTQ youth are not receiving the support, acceptance, and advocacy needed to ensure their health and wellness. It is in response to the death record reports of LGBTQ youth who died by suicide that indicate a history of bullying more than five times more often when compared to records of non-LGBTQ youth.
  • When Your Step-Father Wants To Rule The Earth by Dana Hall
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: comedy, experimental + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: sci-fi comedy, sci-fi parody + 6 more
    Genre: comedy, experimental, fantasy, parody/spoof, zoom
    Keyword: sci-fi comedy, sci-fi parody, sci-fi theatre, cthulhu, Steampunk, Therapy, cosplay, halloween
    10 min play
    A group comes together for family therapy.

    *Fans of the Cthulhu Mythos will get a kick out of this one.
  • Magic Memories by Dana Hall
    Cast: 
    7
    ·
    Genre: comedy, young audiences
    ·
    Keyword: plays for young audiences, comedy + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, young audiences
    Keyword: plays for young audiences, comedy, a short Zoom play, Virtual Comedy
    As graduation from junior high approaches Amy is desperate to make some memories before high school. Unfortunately nothing exciting has happened until the principal goes missing! Can Amy organize a group of students in secret to find out what happened to him before the bullies find out he’s gone!? Find out what happens...
  • Sunny Side Up by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, farce + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: comedy, zoom + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, farce, zoom
    Keyword: comedy, zoom, monologue, LGBTQ characters
    10Min
    Asher just wants a nice breakfast. Is that too much to ask? Apparently, yes. We have all had to deal with an order that was wrong, this takes it to a whole new level. In this comedy with heart, we are reminded of how the little things sometimes are the big thing in life.
  • I Hate My Afterlife by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: ghosts, afterlife + 5 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: ghosts, afterlife, comedy, stage, short, halloween, spooky
    A comedy with heart about a new ghost assigned to a mortal family. Her guide to the afterlife helps her see that sometimes we forget what matters most.
  • Imaginary Friends by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    6–15
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: imagination, 60second play + 1 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: imagination, 60second play, comedy
    In the waiting room of imagination, we find a room full of imaginary friends waiting to be assigned.
    *Accepted into the 17th annual Gi60 US festival in October 2021.
  • 6 Feet Apart by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    2–3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy
    ·
    Keyword: COVID, comedy + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy
    Keyword: COVID, comedy, reality, 1min play
    A shopping experience during the pandemic.
  • Dandelion by Dana Hall
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, young audiences
    ·
    Keyword: one minute play, COVID + 2 more
    Genre: drama, young audiences
    Keyword: one minute play, COVID, plants, drama
    Two people go for a walk and find a dandelion.
    A commentary on how life survives all odds.
    1minute play
  • Sidewalk Psychic by Dana Hall
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: stage play, comedy + 3 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: stage play, comedy, psychic, OCD, Mental Health
    10 min play
    Ben and Kevin work together at an accounting firm in the city. They are heading out for their lunch hour and have decided to walk to a restaurant. Ben thinks Kevin is a psychic and pumps him for information about his future. It turns out that Kevin is not a psychic but nothing deters Ben from trying to get the answers he wants.
  • No Justice by Dana Hall
    Cast: 
    2–3
    ·
    Genre: docudrama/historic, drama + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: racism, social justice + 1 more
    Genre: docudrama/historic, drama, zoom
    Keyword: racism, social justice, virtual theatre
    10min version
    Theatre and storytelling are art forms meant to allow us into spaces that need to be explored. No Justice is a virtual theatre piece that brings Justice, a young-black woman from Southern Illinois, and Dr. Myers, a middle aged-white therapist, together to have a candid conversation about the racial disparities that compound the everyday life of black youth. The two women come to see each...
    10min version
    Theatre and storytelling are art forms meant to allow us into spaces that need to be explored. No Justice is a virtual theatre piece that brings Justice, a young-black woman from Southern Illinois, and Dr. Myers, a middle aged-white therapist, together to have a candid conversation about the racial disparities that compound the everyday life of black youth. The two women come to see each other and build a conscience middle-ground teaching us that we do not need to fear difficult conversations- we need to embrace them. TW: No Justice
    We present our work to open discussion on topics such as white privilege, segregation, institutionalized and systemic racism.

    Co-writer Kenisha Morgan
  • Bluebells by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: drama, zoom
    ·
    Keyword: Effects of trauma, audition monologue + 2 more
    Genre: drama, zoom
    Keyword: Effects of trauma, audition monologue, drama, trigger warning
    In this dramatic monologue, the poetic/artistic expression of someone experiencing sexual trauma is captured. Though there are no graphic descriptions, however, it should be presented with a trigger warning prior to performing. It has made a dynamic audition piece and is a powerful expression of human resiliency.
  • All Out Of Spoons by Dana Hall
    Cast: 
    2–4
    ·
    Genre: drama, melodrama + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: Chronic Illness, Chronic Pain + 3 more
    Genre: drama, melodrama, verse, zoom
    Keyword: Chronic Illness, Chronic Pain, true stories, drama, artistic
    Lynn is attending her first virtual chronic illness support group. Her narrative is told in part with the help of three other women sharing their experience with chronic illness. None of the women are aware of each other as Lynn is the only current speaker. This illustrates the power of sharing our experience and exemplifies we are not alone in our battles. Artistically done and powerfully represents the...
    Lynn is attending her first virtual chronic illness support group. Her narrative is told in part with the help of three other women sharing their experience with chronic illness. None of the women are aware of each other as Lynn is the only current speaker. This illustrates the power of sharing our experience and exemplifies we are not alone in our battles. Artistically done and powerfully represents the diverse experience of those with chronic illness/chronic pain.
  • The Tenant by Dana Hall
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 6 more
    ·
    Keyword: comedy, full-length Zoom play + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, farce, movement/physical, mystery/thriller, parody/spoof, satire, zoom
    Keyword: comedy, full-length Zoom play, couples, Finding Home
    The Tenant is specifically written for a virtual platform (zoom) and utilizes the camera to enhance the physical comedy within the show. In this comedy, a young couple purchases a home that comes with a renter. The tenant lives in the basement and when odd things keep happening around the house the Harlings’ suspicion grows. What is The Tenant hiding? Driven by fun banter and clever antics we learn the Harlings...
    The Tenant is specifically written for a virtual platform (zoom) and utilizes the camera to enhance the physical comedy within the show. In this comedy, a young couple purchases a home that comes with a renter. The tenant lives in the basement and when odd things keep happening around the house the Harlings’ suspicion grows. What is The Tenant hiding? Driven by fun banter and clever antics we learn the Harlings may have gotten in over their heads – even if the place has double vanities.
    Runtime: 45-60mins

  • Plaque Kills by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: comedy, farce + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: dentist, monologue + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, farce, movement/physical, satire, zoom
    Keyword: dentist, monologue, comedy, 1min Monologues for stage or screen, zoom, competition monologue, physical comedy
    Do you dread going to the dentist? Who doesn't! This 1min comedic monologue explores the dangers of not flossing. It works for zoom or in-person auditions. It has a lot of options for dramatic, physical comedy, and can showcase your comedic range.
    (Gender-Neutral)
  • Sound Mind by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 6
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: comedy, melodrama + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: monologue, Comedic + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, melodrama, zoom
    Keyword: monologue, Comedic, afterlife, cancer
    Sam has end stage cancer and leaving a portion of their last will and testament via video recording. We are pulled into the world of someone standing on the border of life and death- with a balance of raw emotion and levity we can't help but connect to Sam.
  • Head Over Heels by Dana Hall
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: dating, sexuality + 6 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, farce, satire
    Keyword: dating, sexuality, consent is sexy, adult relationships, awkward romance, intelligence, women empowerment, feminist
    Monica and Kevin are walking to the door after their date. They are joined by Monica’s Brain, though they can’t see her, she is the manifestation of Monica's inner world.
  • Coal For Christmas by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    9
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: alternative Christmas, christmas + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, holiday, mystery/thriller, parody/spoof, science fiction
    Keyword: alternative Christmas, christmas, reindeer, Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, Christmas holiday, dark holiday
    10 min
    When Santa goes missing the Reindeer go through extreme paranormal measures to try and find him.
  • Joyride by Dana Hall
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    9
    ·
    Genre: adaptation, comedy + 6 more
    ·
    Keyword: celebrating christmas, Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer + 3 more
    Genre: adaptation, comedy, dark comedy, farce, holiday, parody/spoof, radio drama, zoom
    Keyword: celebrating christmas, Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, reindeer, holiday adventure, dysfunctional holidays
    1min Christmas-Themed Play
    What happens when the reindeer take the sleigh out without Santa? They have to go on the run!