“The play has an engaging story line. It is hilarious and heartwarming. The students and the audience enjoyed it. I think the humor really comes off the page once it is staged.” -Abbie Parsons after directing Second Glance in Auckland, New Zealand.
South Bend Tribune full article about Second Glance found HERE.
Dedicated to “Aunt Mary”
“There is no greater disability in society, than the inability to see a person as more.”
-Robert M Hensel
It’s December 1952 in a small town located in Indiana. Henry and Amelia were high school sweethearts that married and started a family. They had their first child, Mary, when they were still young themselves. After years of missed benchmarks and numerous doctor visits, it was determined that Mary was severely mentally handicapped. Their love for Mary never wavered nor were they ashamed. Henry and Mia always put Mary first. One day they are told by their priest that a place called the Trail Creek State School for the Feeble-Minded might be a place Mary could find beneficial.
Mary is sent to the school where she finds friends with similar challenges. When alone in the common room, Mary and her friends talk and communicate without any disability. Mary doesn’t understand it but finds this magical time life changing. However, it doesn’t take long for Mary to find out that the school has secrets and she may be in danger.
Will her family come back for her? Will she ever see them again?
The Trail’s Creek challenges our compassion and understanding about worlds and people we often don’t seek to engage with or simply ignore.
The Trail’s Creek is now available for purchase here!
Second Glance
It was a long time ago, Sam was still a kid, when he lost his grandmother, Amelia, to a car accident. His grandpa and best friend Jimmy was too drunk and had to be picked up by Amelia at the bar. She never made it to the bar and none of Jimmy’s kids or grand kids (including Sam) have paid him any attention since. In fact Sam intends to use it for his book. Only snag is that he won’t get published without Grandpa Jimmy’s side of the story being told too. It’s time for Sam to take a trip back home and hear Grandpa Jimmy out. Sam will likely run into his ex-girlfriend and the truth of it is that he cannot fathom what other facts lie waiting for him. The good, the inevitable and the ugly truth in this hour long one act play.
Talkback with audience after a reading in Michigan City, IN.
UPDATE: Second Glance picked up for full production in MC in 2026!
Josephine, (or Jo as she is known to her family) and her husband Michael have two daughters, Bridget and Valerie. Valerie has been missing for two years since her boating accident. Josephine has never given up hope that one day Valerie will be found alive and well. The family has its set of problems and everyone is a little fragile generally speaking.
When Michael takes Bridget to a friend’s house, leaving Jo at home alone during a storm, she receives an unexpected visitor – her missing daughter Valerie. Has Valerie really returned after being missing all this time? Or is the truth that she never will… A one act family drama about a missing daughter.
Purchase The Comfort of Concrete HERE
10 Minute Plays
Use the contact link above for inquiries on publishing, producing, and interview requests. Thank you!
COMING SOON: BABY BY NUMBER
