Official Website of Playwright
Listing playwrights works of Drama, Comedy, Musical and Farce on Gretchenoplaywright
A Passion for Theatre
A love of writing
Drama, Comedy, Musical, Farce
Ten minute to Three Act
My Story
Gretchen O’Halloran’s plays and musicals have had readings and productions throughout the United States, Mexico and Australia. Gretchen holds an MFA in Acting from University of California, Davis, 1994. She is a published poet, a member of the Dramatists Guild, The New Play Exchange, Portland’s Nameless Playwrights, and Northwest Theatre Workshop, Bump in the Road Theatre. Readings and performances have been staged at The Mark Taper Forum, Universal Studios, Oregon Contemporary Theatre, American Globe and Turnip Festival, and New City Theatre, Seattle, WA. Her musicals include, Keep The Magic, which has been performed at middle schools in WA and OR and is on My Score, JW Pepper. (Dianne Everson, Composer, Gretchen O’Halloran, Playwright, Lyricist.) Uranium was performed at New City Theatre in Seattle, WA, and ED, the musical, was performed at the First Fertile Ground Festival, Portland, OR, and was an ‘Alternate’ in the Cringe Festival for The Player’s Theatre, NYC. Honors include a workshop/reading/performance with Roger Hendricks Simon Studios, NYC, in the Where Eagles Dare Theatre.
During the Pandemic, March 2020-June 2021, these plays were presented as Zoom readings: Snapdragon, by Panglossian Theatre, Older Than Dirt, (Five-minute version), Shawnee Playhouse on Delaware, PA, and Spitfire Angel, produced by West Coast Footlights, Dramatist Guild of America. Zipper, a monologue, was presented in the Just an Illusion series, Ella Muscroft, LoudVoicesSilentStreets and is also on YouTube. Finally, Older Than Dirt was performed in the One Act Jamboree, Rhino Theatre, Pompton Lakes, NJ, June 18th and 19th, 2021.
She currently resides in Washington state.
DRAMA
MIGHTY RIVERS
Synopsis
NORMA and LORELEI are antithetical characters whose lives intertwine like the Mighty Saint Lawrence and the Great Rhine River. Perhaps, the flow of these two personalities have a common passion.
MIGHTY RIVERS is about Gretchen’s mother, Norma, and the Transgender woman, Lorelei, who is a new Caregiver at the facility. These conversations are real. The characters are real. I have added some fiction for the development of the story.
History/Awards
EDEN PRAIRIE PLAYERS, EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA
COLLECTION OF ONE ACTS, SEPTEMBER 13,14,15 19-22, 2024
Directed by Dan Reiva Norma - Gina Light, Lorelei - Dorian Amell
Director’s Notes: MIGHTY RIVERS deals with very relevant social issues. In the play, an elderly woman admits her fear of her personal care giver, who happens to be a transgender woman. This touches upon several LGBTQ issues currently in the news. And if that wasn’t enough to deal with, the playwright reveals a plot twist concerning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Short+Sweet Sydney, Australia. October 2024 Selected for shortlist from 1400 entries. www.shortandsweet.org/sydney
Details
Genre: Drama/Comedy
Format: 15 Minute
Cast: One female (age 100 One males, (20’s)
Key words: Compassion, Cherish, Commitment, Dedication, Trans
Spitfire Angel
Synopsis
The year is 1944 and Diana Barnato Walker, a member of the English ATA, (Air Transport Auxiliary) and her husband Derek Walker, DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross), each fly their own Spitfire next to one another across the English Channel to a liberated Brussels delivering a photographic reconnaissance aircraft and for a “jolly” good time. The return trip six days later in thick fog, however, is a different story. This is an unforgettable tale of one of Britain’s forgotten pilots.
History/Awards
Video Posted, Museum of Flight website, Seattle, WA 2021
Reading, Lottery Pick, West Coast Footlights Dramatist Guild of America, 2021
Judges Pick, Urban Stages Website, NYC 2020
Details
Genre: Drama
Format: Ten Minute
Cast: One female (age 20’s) Two males, (20’s and 50’s)
Key words: Cherish, commitment, dedication, Angel
One-Eyed Jake
Synopsis
Mike's cat, Jake, has been critically injured in the opening of the play. It is through a skilled Veterinarian, a mother's intuition, and a boy's love that Jake 'will forever fly like a cream colored owl through the twilight woods.’* Henry David Thoreau
History/Awards
Performance, The End of the Road New Play Festival, Gulf Shores, Alabama 2018
Performance, Third annual Shovel Town 10 Minute Play Festival N. Easton, MA 2017
Winner – The Rogue Valley Ten Minute Plays Festival, Ashland, OR 2008
Details
Genre: Drama
Format: Ten Minute
Cast: (Two females ages 20’s, and 40’s) . One Male (teenager.)
Key words: intuition, compassion, love
Snapdragon
Synopsis
SNAPDRAGON is not a politically correct play. It is the story of a resolved mother, Lorraine, who fights to protect her daughter, Betsy, from an abusive partner. Both fractured characters catapult to an explosive conclusion.
History/Awards
Podcast Reading, Pangiossian, 2020
Performace Ten Minute, Performance Works NW, Portland, OR 2006
Reading full length, Arts Equity Main Street Theatre , Vancouver, WA 2006
Performance Ten Minute, Theatre Studios, Inc. Playtime Series, NYC 2005
Details
Genre: Drama
Format: Ten Minute, Three Act
Cast: (Ten minute) Two Women (ages 20’s and 40’s)
(Three Act) Four Women (ages 20’s to 40) Two Males (ages 20’s to 40’s)
Key words: resolution, fractured, love
AMINAZINE
(A drug for schizophrenia, but used on prisoners in Soviet prisons during WW II. )
Synopsis
Raoul Wallenberg, a businessman, and member of Sweden's most aristocratic families, volunteered to go to Budapest as a diplomat for the purpose of saving Hungarian Jews from Hitler's final solution. The dinner negotiations between Wallenberg and Adolf Eichmann are based on fact. His crusade was suddenly halted after six months, when after a mysterious meeting with Soviet officers, he vanished. Will Baroness Elisabeth Kemeny's love for him help him to remember?
History/Awards
Roger Simon Studio recommends to Samuel French Festival, 2008
Reading, in Los Angeles, CA, 2006
Details
Genre: Docudrama/Historic
Format: Ten minute
Cast: One woman (age 60’s) Two men (ages 50’s and 70’s)
Key words: Uncontrollable trembling followed by numbness/ then indifference. A love story
INK
Synopsis
This is a story of forgiveness and redemption on a family beach in the Northwest. Three generations of women, Norma, Gloria, and Kayla, explore old wounds through the prolific INK drawings which Kayla did as a toddler and in her primary years. An Art Therapist is consulted and when the possibility of abuse emerges from the INK drawings, Gloria's ex-husband, who she hasn't seen in thirty years, arrives on the beach at Kayla's request. The result is an ejection of sepia ink which percolates through the final scene.
History/Awards
Reading, Identity Theatre NYC May 2016
Details
Genre: Drama
Format: Two Act
Cast: Four woman (ages 30’s to 95) One male (age 70’s)
Key words: forgiveness, redemption
FROZEN SWAN
Synopsis
The action takes place in Elsinore (Helsingor)- a seaport town in Frederickborg County, Denmark. The castle of Kronborg was built by King Frederick II during the 15th century and is now used as maritime museum. This is the story of Freya, who was abandoned by both parents at birth. A large European Saxony Spinning Wheel is the main prop. It is constantly spinning with a rhythmic tone. Threads (ropes) fill the stage in various piles. (There are several acting levels on the Spinning Wheel.) The mood of the play is felt in language and rhythm.
History/Awards
Details
Genre: A Verse Drama in seventeen sonnets and verse.
Format: One Act
Cast: Six women (ages youth to 70’s) Three men (ages 20’s to 70’s)
Key words: Destiny, death, rebirth, and redemption
URANIUM
A Short piece with Lyrics and Chirping.
Synopsis
A political parody of our fearless officials.
History/Awards
Details
Genre: Political Parody
Format: One Act
Cast: Two women (ages 20’s and 40’s). Two men (ages 40’s and 50’s)
Key words: Uranium producer, Diplomat, aristocrat, Flames, pig meat
COMEDY
ZIPPER
Synopsis
Denise is in the Dermatology examining room waiting for Dr Victoria to give her a body scan. This is during Covid and the rules have changed.
History/Awards
Just an illusion series Ella Muscroft Loud VoicesSilentStreets Monologue ZOOM, Stephanie Taylor, actress, 2020
Details
Genre: comedy, monologue
Format: Ten Minute
Cast: One woman (age 50’s-60’s)
Key words: exasperation, exhilaration, and breathe.
Just an Illusion: Zipper - monologue by Gretchen C. O’Halloran & performed by Stephanie Taylor. Produced by Loud Voices Silent Streets.
Website - www.loudvoicessilentstreets.co.uk
Older Than Dirt
Synopsis
A Father always protects his daughter, no matter what the circumstances, and has to delicately share some bad news.
History/Awards
Festival, Rhino Theatre Pompton, Lakes NJ three performances 2021
Zoom, Shawnee Playhouse on Delaware PA. Short play 2020
Details
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Format: Ten minute
Cast: Female (age 70’s) Male (age 80’s)
Key Words: family, love, commitment, death, renewal
Snafu
Synopsis
Wayne and Edith are leaving their partners and have rehearsed a most precise mission. Is it an impossible one?
History/Awards
Finalist,Oregon Contemporary Theatre NorthWest 10 Festival, Eugene OR April 2016
Performance, San Miguel, Mexico, short play festival 2012
Second Place, Fertile Ground Festival, Portland, OR 2010
Performance, Short Play Lab John Chatterton NYC, 2010
Details
Genre: Comedy
Format: Ten minute
Cast: One Woman (age 50’s) One male (age 50’s)
Keywords: deception, passion, failure
Squirrel Busters
Synopsis
Norma, who is a ninety-four year old independent Scottish woman, feels a lack of control after having to come live with her daughter, Alice. Alice has numerous bird feeders outside Norma's window to entertain her. However, the squirrels eat the bird's food and Norma takes it upon herself to stop them. Norma confronts her fears by interacting with the scavengers taking away the bird's food- just as her independence has been taken away from her. When Alice finds a way to get rid of the squirrels, with a 'Squirrel Buster', a 'Super Soaker', and finally a priest, Norma fights back.
History/Awards
Performance, Pend Oreille Players 9th one act play Festival Newport, WA. 2018
Runner Up, The Arts Club of Washington DC, 2010
Semi-Finalist, Strawberry Festival, St Clements Theatre, NY, NY, 2009
Details
Genre: Comedy /Farce
Format: One Act
Cast: Two Women (60’s and 90’s) One Male (age 70’s)
Key words: independence, control, love
The Great Tit
Synopsis
Bird Zoologist, Vern, and Psychiatric nurse, Flo, have just arrived for their honeymoon. They have promised each other they will not talk about feathered creatures or psychotic patients.
History/Awards
Third Place, Short and Sweet Sydney, Australia, 2019.
Reading and workshop, Midwest Dramatists Center, Kansas City, MO 2017
Honorable Mention, Lourdes University Drama Society, 2016
Semi finalist, Little Black dress INK’S, Los Angeles, CA 2016
Finalist, Northwest 10 Festival, Oregon ContemporaryTheatre, Eugene, OR 2014
Production, Nantucket Short Play Festival, Nantucket, Mass, 2013
Finalists, Dezart Play Festival, Palm Springs, CA 2013
Performance, San Miguel short play festival, San Miguel, Mexico 2012
Performance, 3rd FERTILE GROUND FESTIVAL, Portland, OR 2011
Details
Genre: Comedy
Format: Ten Minutes
Cast: One woman (age 40’s) One male (age 40’s)
Key words: passion for work, neurotic, realization, love
Web
Synopsis
When her home security alarm warns of an intruder, Charlotte calls 911 and before she knows it, she has revealed too much to 911 operator, Gwen.
History/Awards
Performance, Manhattan Rep SUMMERFEST, NYC 2007
Performance, Beckman Theatre, NYC 2007
Performance, American Globe and TurnipFestival NYC 2007
Performance, Theatre Studios, Inc, NYC 2007
Performance, Arts Equity Main Street Theatre, Vancouver, WA 2006
Details
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Format: One Act
Cast: Two women (ages 30’s and 50’s) One male (age 40’s)
Key words: lonely, life line, realization
AIN'T MISBEHAVIN'
Synopsis
It is February in Traer, Iowa on a one hundred year old family farm. The Japanese beetles are back and have infested the ceiling of every room. Amy Jo, who has lived on the farm her entire life, is a single, alcoholic who is celebrating the recent passing of her Ma. Her Ma's Will stipulates that the Farm House will be divided between Amy Jo and her cousin, Roy Tommy and his wife Esther, who both live in a large city elsewhere. Add to this mixture Father O'Flannagan, a deaf Irishman, who has been Traer's Parish priest for the past forty five years. Now you have a comedy which gives new meaning to the phrase "You can never go home again because life on the farm just got racier”.
History/Awards
Performance, TWO presents Summer Shorts, Owensboro, Kentucky 2018
Details
Genre: comedy
Format: One Act
Cast: Two women (ages 60’s) Two men (ages 60’s to 80’s)
Key words: Tipsy, malapropism, Sentamentalist,
The key humor here is a take off on the Carol Burnett Show. Vicki Lawrence is Amy Jo, Carol Burnett is Esther, Harry Corman is Roy Tommy, and Tim Conway is Father Flannagan
MUSICAL
A mix from over 22 songs from Keep the Magic musical. Book & Lyrics by Gretchen O'Halloran, Music by Dianne Everson. Demo is from middle school performances.
Details
Genre: Musical
Format: Two Acts
Cast: 20-80 There are nineteen colorful characters, however dancers and chorus could add many more performers.
Key words: heartfelt, esprit de corp, diversity, love, caregiving, Hope
Available: Book & Lyrics, Score, Music by instrument, Audio of each song with and without voice, Costume, Performance video
History/Awards
NOTRE DAME COLLEGE South Euclid, OH, Brian Marshall Mercury Theatre Finalist, 2020
Newport High Performing Arts Center, Bellevue, WA. May 16, 17 18. 2019, Full Performance , Kelly O Mechling Director
Goodman Middle School, Gig Harbor, WA. May 1993
Charles Wright Academy, Tacoma, WA, Feb. 1980
Oregon Episcopal School, Portland, OR, Feb. 1980
Catlin Gable Episcopal School, Portland, OR Feb. 1980
Synopsis
A coming of age story, Tina, our trapeze artist, struggles to find herself in the day to day life of the circus, and decides to try a new life in the real world away from her circus family. Her optimistic view of the world darkens, as she is faced with loneliness, fear, and contemplation about who she is and what she wants. Stubbs, the clown, always told her 'remember the magic'. The magic lies within each of us-but you must find it in your own way.
Keep the magic
ED-The Musical (erectile Dysfunction)
Synopsis
The play is about erectile dysfunction and involves a couple, Peter and Tessi Ness who are having intimacy problems. A helpful neighbor, who happens to be a doctor, is willing to give advice. Among the songs are, ‘Flaccid, ‘Lament’, and ‘Doctor Concoctor’.
History/Awards
ALERNATE in the Cringe Festival for the Player’s Theatre NYC 2010
“Foreplay” at the Someday Lounge, Fertile Ground Festival in Portland, OR. Presented by Breaking and Entering Playwrights. January, 2009. (Barry Glick, composer, Debbie Hunter and Brian Young.
Details
Genre: Musical Comedy
Format: One Act
Cast: 3 plus Dancers and singers.
Keywords: failure, perseverance, success
FARCE
Aussie Salute
Synopsis
This is Jamie Gladstone McLaurin’s journey into finding his identity after living with Wallaroo kangaroos in the outback of Australia. Jamie’s parents are Zooloigists, working on a Grant from the National science Foundation, researching the benefits of the ‘Hiding Method’ or the ‘Following Method’ in Maternal Care Strategies of the Macropod Families.
History/Awards
Reading Curtain Players Theatre, Westerville, OH 2009
Workshop, Roger Hendricks Simon Studios (Workshop/Reading/Performance), NYC 2008
Reading, Tribe Theatre and Art Gallery, Portland, OR 2005
Workshop, Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles, CA 1975
Reading, Universal Studios, Los Angeles, CA 1975
Details
Genre: Farce
Format: Three Act
Cast: Three males (ages 20’s, 40’s and 50’s) Two females (ages 30’s and 40’s). A Macaw (ageless: male or female)
Key words: Farce, maternal, regrets, love
kudos
O'Halloran's script, Keep The Magic, was funny, and as a playwright writing for a school- age cast, she succeeded in creating an ensemble of characters that each have a moment to shine, rather than having a single dominant lead. She gives equal stage time to a wide variety of characters. This is wonderful for budding drama students, since the principal actors all get a scene or a song to actually chew on rather than a mere cameo line here and there.
Katie Malik
Celebrating Fox Island, July 2019