Use these three 10-minute plays by Bryan Harnetiaux to engage your community in discussions around advance directives

“What I really want is for you to listen to me, and then make sure…make sure I’m heard. Be my voice. If it comes to that.” (from Lily by Bryan Harnetiaux, copyright 2022)

Each of these two-character 10-minute plays feature different relationships and settings. The plays are designed to be easy to produce and can be performed anywhere. HFA encourages a moderated post-play discussion after performances to address issues, encourage conversation, and answer any questions.

Lily: Joe visits his ex-wife, Lily, who is seriously ill. While Joe is surprised that she asked to see him, he is even more surprised by her request for his involvement in her end-of-life care planning. (Lily is written to be performed for both community and professional audiences).

Gil: Elizabeth, a medical social worker at a long-term care facility, meets Gil for the first time after he is admitted with congestive heart failure. Her attempts to address Gil’s resistance to completing his advance directive causes her to confront her views about her own end-of-life wishes. (Gil is written to be performed for both community and professional audiences).

Room 402: Ruth, a seasoned nurse practitioner, is approached in the break room by Marie, a colleague with less experience, about a patient in their care. This “behind-the-scenes” conversation captures the reality of how practitioners may have different approaches to helping patients and families engage in the tough conversations about end-of-life choices. (Room 402 is written to be performed for healthcare and social service professionals only.)

Licensing Information:

One-year licensing agreements are available through HFA. Each agreement allows for 20 performances of that play. Prices are discounted if more than one play is licensed in the same agreement.

One play: $99
Two plays: $185
Three plays: $249

The licensing fee includes:

• electronic copy of the play
• suggested post-play discussion questions
• templates for social media posts and advertising
• templates for programs and flyers
• suggestions and ideas from other organizations that have used the plays for education and community outreach

For more information contact Lisa Veglahn at lveglahn@hospicefoundation.org 

HFA is grateful to Linda Wilkerson at BayCare Health System and Lois Green for their role in the development of these plays.