You can check out all of Janine’s plays on the New Play Exchange.
For inquiries about production rights, please send Janine an email.
Don’t see the perfect show for your theatre or school? Contact me for a potential commission. I’d love to work with you to create something tailor-made just for you!
FULL LENGTH
The Beatrix Potter Defense Society
Cast: 2 · Genre: drama, family-friendly
16-year-old Beatrix Potter is hatching a plot to stay in her beloved Lake District forever. When her late-night escape causes her to cross paths with the vicar’s wife, her desperation forces her to seek help from an unlikely ally. As the two lock in a battle of wills, each must learn to open their minds and hearts to the unseen potential of their individual lives – as well as the healing and possibility that lies within their art.
The Lost Girls
Cast: 15+ · Genre: family-friendly
What is Neverland like without Peter Pan? When the fairies take over the island, a small band of Lost Girls must figure out how to get home – and who they are meant to be. (Finalist, 2024 Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival)
Scaredy Kat Presents
Cast: 3–4 · Genre: TYA·
Eleven-year-old Kathryn is paralyzed by social anxiety. Estranged from her classmates, she spends all her time in her basement with her two passions: Alfred Hitchcock and stop motion animation.
When her enthusiastic attempts to win a trip to Hitchcock’s old film sets fall apart faster than her clay figures, Kathryn is sent a possible gift with the arrival of the new neighbor girl, Nadia. Forced to spend her afternoons at Kathryn’s house while her mom is working, Nadia’s keen interest in art could be the secret to Kathryn’s success. With her anxiety trying to block her at every turn, Kathryn must learn how to share her dream – and potentially make a friend along the way. (Winner 2020 Purple Crayon Players PLAYground Festival)
King Stag
translated and adapted from the play by Carlo Gozzi.
Cast: 10–14 · Genre: adaptation, commedia dell’arte
King Deramo is on the search for a bride. To ensure he finds a wife who truly loves him, he enlists the help of a magical statue, given to him by the great wizard Durandarte. His happily ever after, however, is threatened by his traitorous minister Tartaglia, who seeks both Deramo’s kingdom and his bride, Angela. When Tartaglia uses a magic spell to usurp the throne, Deramo and Angela must find a way to save the kingdom and their future happiness.
ONE ACTS
Hidden Seashells: A Yoga Adventure
Cast: 2 · Genre: comedy, TYA ·
Adri is on a mission: to get rid of her emotions for good. However, the appearance of a mysterious stranger in yoga pants just might help her understand all the amazing things her emotions have to offer. (Winner 2023 Old Miner’s Children Playwriting Contest)
Speechless
Cast: 4 · Genre: comedy, TYA ·
When Lane has to teach a group of three 9-year old her favorite thing about dance, she asks her old elementary school principal to send her students who were “just like her.” However, when each one struggles to be there, they must all learn the true value of movement in communicating their thoughts and emotions.
Sing in Me, Muse
Cast: 2 · Genre: drama, TYA ·
Calliope has quit her job as the head Greek Muse – or so she thought. When she is sent on another assignment against her will, she must figure out if helping her new artist, a young Florentine by the name of Leonardo da Vinci, will also help her find her own artistic voice.
The Release of the Shrew
Cast: 2 · Genre: drama ·
Six months after her husband’s death, Kate has one last task to complete to close that chapter of her life forever. However, when her sister Bianca shows up unannounced, her presence threatens to destroy Kate’s plan. Will Bianca discover the truth? Or will Kate figure out how to keep all her secrets behind closed doors? (Inspired by Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew)
Ally
Cast: 4 · Genre: drama, TYA ·
Inspired by true events, Ally tells the story of a middle school student body presidency who must come to terms with the reality of their seemingly utopian school after their baseball field is vandalized with racial slurs.
SHORT PLAYS
The Edge of Play
Cast: 2 · Genre: TYA, comedy
Ada is an imaginative 8-year old who loves slides but gets really nervous around other kids. With help from her unique friend, Mo, she learns that it’s OK to need a little extra support to do the things that scare you the most.
Drawing Under the Microscope
Cast: 2 · Genre: drama
After ten years of dedicated study and drawing, Beatrix Potter is ready to claim her destiny – as a mycologist (scientist of fungi). When the chance arrives to present her potentially revolutionary paper to the Linnean Society of London, her dreams of making her mark on this world collide with her anxiety. Will her former governess and lifelong friend help her find the courage to stand by her findings and submit what she has discovered?
Queen of the Night
Cast: 2 · Genre: comedy
After returning to her apartment to find her husband home early, Astrid must scramble to keep her unexpected nighttime outing a secret.
Yule Queen
Cast: 3 · Genre: comedy
Ivy drags her two sisters out into the middle of the woods on the morning of the winter solstice to start a new holiday tradition
Bond
Cast: 2 · Genre: drama
Immediately after giving birth, Meredith’s baby is taken to the NICU. While waiting for her daughter to return, she must wrestle with the feelings that came – and didn’t come – after seeing her child for the first time.
Bleeding Love
Cast: 3 · Genre: TYA, comedy
When an exciting game of superhero hide-and-seek results in a little blood, Freddie discovers that his sister Izzy has just developed a new superpower: her period.
Mamma Tallulah
Cast: 3 · Genre: commedia dell’arte
Clarice is in love with Leo. Her mother, Tallulah, won’t hear of it. Will Clarice be able to win the fight for her love?
Ding
Cast: 2 · Genre: drama, movement/physical
Omar is obsessed with his phone. When his partner, Celia, confronts him on what is most important, he must struggle between the call of the notifications and the woman he loves.
Sardines
Cast: 2–3 · Genre: comedy, TYA, one-minute
Angela is determined to be the Queen of Sardines. Will her claim to the throne be threatened by the claustrophobic tendencies of her classmate Barbara?
Can be for either live performance or radio/podcast.
Coach
Cast: 2–3 · Genre: drama
After a life-altering experience, Margaret must apply for food stamps for the very first time. Fighting between her old life and her new, Margaret meets a woman who helps her realize what is most important.
The Big Moment
Cast: 2-12 · Genre: comedy
With COVID-19 raging on outside, Bryscon must find a way to propose to his germaphobic girlfriend Aleksa. Will Zoom provide the environment he needs to win the girl he loves?
MONOLOGUES
Dance Class
Cast: 1 · Genre: High school, drama
15-year-old Jade has never been able to communicate her inner thoughts – until she found her dance class. But when that class is threatened, can she figure out how to explain exactly what it means?