Scene Library

The scene library is a compilation of scenes from historic plays by women to be used exclusively by acting instructors and students.

Special thanks to Maria-Christina Oliveras and Jacqueline Knapp for their time and commitment. 

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(1W, 1M) Mavis, Iris’s older sister, shares some of her secrets with Sidney - impressed by his success with his newspaper, and wanting to soften their differences.
 

About the Playwright

Lorraine Hansberry
Lorraine Hansberry
Lorraine Hansberry was born in Chicago’s Southside on May 19, 1930 to Nannie and Carl Hansberry.  Her father, who worked in real estate and banking, was at the forefront of the fight for civil rights in the city of Chicago and rebelled against the “restrictive covenants” that prevented African Americans from living in certain all-white neighborhoods of the city.  His fight led to his family taking a house in one of these neighborhoods and facing extreme violence in response.  Later, he and the N…
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(1W, 1M)  The “new” independent Iris, confronts Sidney about his false victory.
 

About the Playwright

Lorraine Hansberry
Lorraine Hansberry
Lorraine Hansberry was born in Chicago’s Southside on May 19, 1930 to Nannie and Carl Hansberry.  Her father, who worked in real estate and banking, was at the forefront of the fight for civil rights in the city of Chicago and rebelled against the “restrictive covenants” that prevented African Americans from living in certain all-white neighborhoods of the city.  His fight led to his family taking a house in one of these neighborhoods and facing extreme violence in response.  Later, he and the N…
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(1W, 1M) Sidney and Gloria, Iris’s younger sister, come to terms with each of their collapsed fantasies.
 

About the Playwright

Lorraine Hansberry
Lorraine Hansberry
Lorraine Hansberry was born in Chicago’s Southside on May 19, 1930 to Nannie and Carl Hansberry.  Her father, who worked in real estate and banking, was at the forefront of the fight for civil rights in the city of Chicago and rebelled against the “restrictive covenants” that prevented African Americans from living in certain all-white neighborhoods of the city.  His fight led to his family taking a house in one of these neighborhoods and facing extreme violence in response.  Later, he and the N…
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(1W, 1M) Gloria and David, share their pasts and try to connect. It becomes too much for Gloria, who takes her life. With cuts. 
 

About the Playwright

Lorraine Hansberry
Lorraine Hansberry
Lorraine Hansberry was born in Chicago’s Southside on May 19, 1930 to Nannie and Carl Hansberry.  Her father, who worked in real estate and banking, was at the forefront of the fight for civil rights in the city of Chicago and rebelled against the “restrictive covenants” that prevented African Americans from living in certain all-white neighborhoods of the city.  His fight led to his family taking a house in one of these neighborhoods and facing extreme violence in response.  Later, he and the N…
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(2M) Sidney comes to terms with the fact that he helped Wally win his election, only to find that Wally was in cahoots with the mob all along. With cuts. 
 

About the Playwright

Lorraine Hansberry
Lorraine Hansberry
Lorraine Hansberry was born in Chicago’s Southside on May 19, 1930 to Nannie and Carl Hansberry.  Her father, who worked in real estate and banking, was at the forefront of the fight for civil rights in the city of Chicago and rebelled against the “restrictive covenants” that prevented African Americans from living in certain all-white neighborhoods of the city.  His fight led to his family taking a house in one of these neighborhoods and facing extreme violence in response.  Later, he and the N…
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(2 W) The two servants in the Haines household discuss the argument overheard between Mr. and Mrs. Haines and their personal feelings about marriage. 
 

About the Playwright

Clare Boothe
Clare Boothe
Ann Clare Boothe was born on March 10, 1903 in New York City to a former dancer and a violinist.  Years later--following in her parents’ artistic footsteps--she would become a world renowned playwright and author as well as a famed journalist, politician, diplomat, and women’s rights activist, one of the most iconic women and figures of the 20th century. As a child, she attended numerous schools and then briefly a theatre school for children.  She married millionaire George Tuttle Brokaw in 192…
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(2 W) Mary confronts Crystal, the woman with whom her husband is having an affair. The two argue. 
 

About the Playwright

Clare Boothe
Clare Boothe
Ann Clare Boothe was born on March 10, 1903 in New York City to a former dancer and a violinist.  Years later--following in her parents’ artistic footsteps--she would become a world renowned playwright and author as well as a famed journalist, politician, diplomat, and women’s rights activist, one of the most iconic women and figures of the 20th century. As a child, she attended numerous schools and then briefly a theatre school for children.  She married millionaire George Tuttle Brokaw in 192…
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(2 W) Mrs. Morehead advises her daughter, Mary, about what to do after the discovery that her husband is having an affair. 
 

About the Playwright

Clare Boothe
Clare Boothe
Ann Clare Boothe was born on March 10, 1903 in New York City to a former dancer and a violinist.  Years later--following in her parents’ artistic footsteps--she would become a world renowned playwright and author as well as a famed journalist, politician, diplomat, and women’s rights activist, one of the most iconic women and figures of the 20th century. As a child, she attended numerous schools and then briefly a theatre school for children.  She married millionaire George Tuttle Brokaw in 192…
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