HUMAN(E)
Faced with a life or death decision, what does it mean to be human?
Faced with a life or death decision, what does it mean to be human?
Full length: 89 Minutes approximately
Characters: 4 Females
Time & Place: Present Day
Various places in California: Science Laboratory on a University campus, Fast food Restaurant, Planned Parenthood office, dance club and café.
Synopsis: During this pivotal time as we rediscover the core values of what makes us human, HUMAN(E) explores how our choices determine who lives/thrives in a survival of the fittest society through the personal story of two racially and socio-economically diverse women. Molly Royce has one goal in life: honor her father who recently died of Huntington’s disease by carrying on his pioneering work in proving the nurture theory and keeping her promise not to be tested for the genetic disease. Shayna Williams has trained all of her life to become a professional violinist, but a neurological disease threatens her dreams. When Shayna reluctantly agrees to participate in Molly’s doctoral student research in order to maintain her university scholarship, an unlikely friendship develops along with Molly’s secret: she’s pregnant. Unable to break her promise to her father, Molly decides to get an abortion without being tested for the genetic disease. But Molly’s world is turned upside down when her mother reveals her own secret about Molly’s father. As Molly and Shayna’s worlds begin to intertwine like the coils of a strand of DNA, they are both confronted to answer one defining question: what would you do to hold onto someone you love?
Characters: 4 Females
Time & Place: Present Day
Various places in California: Science Laboratory on a University campus, Fast food Restaurant, Planned Parenthood office, dance club and café.
Synopsis: During this pivotal time as we rediscover the core values of what makes us human, HUMAN(E) explores how our choices determine who lives/thrives in a survival of the fittest society through the personal story of two racially and socio-economically diverse women. Molly Royce has one goal in life: honor her father who recently died of Huntington’s disease by carrying on his pioneering work in proving the nurture theory and keeping her promise not to be tested for the genetic disease. Shayna Williams has trained all of her life to become a professional violinist, but a neurological disease threatens her dreams. When Shayna reluctantly agrees to participate in Molly’s doctoral student research in order to maintain her university scholarship, an unlikely friendship develops along with Molly’s secret: she’s pregnant. Unable to break her promise to her father, Molly decides to get an abortion without being tested for the genetic disease. But Molly’s world is turned upside down when her mother reveals her own secret about Molly’s father. As Molly and Shayna’s worlds begin to intertwine like the coils of a strand of DNA, they are both confronted to answer one defining question: what would you do to hold onto someone you love?
Character Breakdown:
MOLLY ROYCE: Late 20’s, White female. Brainy, socially awkward with her head in the stars.
SHAYNA WILLIAM: Mid to late 29's, Black female. Down to earth, blunt with a drive and determination that tends to hide a deep sense of loyalty and sensitivity.
MOTHER: Mid 50's to early 60's, White female. Mother of MOLLY ROYCE. Submissive, practical housewife, whose foundation has crumbled, sending her out of orbit.
SHAYNA’S MOTHER/JUSTINE/NURSE: Middle-aged female of any ethnicity. Hardworking, self-sacrificing nurturer with powers of empathy and insight.
Production/Development History
MOLLY ROYCE: Late 20’s, White female. Brainy, socially awkward with her head in the stars.
SHAYNA WILLIAM: Mid to late 29's, Black female. Down to earth, blunt with a drive and determination that tends to hide a deep sense of loyalty and sensitivity.
MOTHER: Mid 50's to early 60's, White female. Mother of MOLLY ROYCE. Submissive, practical housewife, whose foundation has crumbled, sending her out of orbit.
SHAYNA’S MOTHER/JUSTINE/NURSE: Middle-aged female of any ethnicity. Hardworking, self-sacrificing nurturer with powers of empathy and insight.
Production/Development History
- Selected by Angels Theatre Company for Salon Reading Series
- Winner of the 54th Annual John Gassner Memorial Playwriting Award from the New England Theatre Conference
- Reading at Mach 33: Caltech/Pasadena Playhouse New Play Festival - April 4, 2020-cancelled