Pageant Play

Each year, Derby, Nevada (population 3,529) hosts the Derby Dolls Pageant to commemorate the sacrifices the town's foremothers made when they resorted to cannibalism in order to survive a snowstorm. In this laugh out loud, break your heart comedy about teetering on the brink of womanhood, four pageant girls compete to win the Derby Dolls crown, only to discover that there are more ways to be a woman than they...

Each year, Derby, Nevada (population 3,529) hosts the Derby Dolls Pageant to commemorate the sacrifices the town's foremothers made when they resorted to cannibalism in order to survive a snowstorm. In this laugh out loud, break your heart comedy about teetering on the brink of womanhood, four pageant girls compete to win the Derby Dolls crown, only to discover that there are more ways to be a woman than they ever realized.

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Pageant Play

Recommended by

  • Playwrights Foundation: Pageant Play

    The community of National Committee readers for the 47th Bay Area Playwrights Festival advanced Pageant Play as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation. We felt drawn to the ambitious reach of this script and the play’s charming and vivid characters. We hope this play is considered for further development and investigation, and finds dedicated collaborators in this play’s journey towards production.

    The community of National Committee readers for the 47th Bay Area Playwrights Festival advanced Pageant Play as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation. We felt drawn to the ambitious reach of this script and the play’s charming and vivid characters. We hope this play is considered for further development and investigation, and finds dedicated collaborators in this play’s journey towards production.

  • Shaun Leisher: Pageant Play

    A stunning coming of age story about a group of girls trying to figure out their places in life. Very funny at times and so authentic. A play about what it means to be a girl in a society that is so critical of them.

    A stunning coming of age story about a group of girls trying to figure out their places in life. Very funny at times and so authentic. A play about what it means to be a girl in a society that is so critical of them.

  • Sam Walsh: Pageant Play

    A funny play with a whole lot of heart. Great roles for younger actors and could see this doing really well at a college or high school. Rich roles for young folks to dig their teeth into and some beautiful monologues.

    A funny play with a whole lot of heart. Great roles for younger actors and could see this doing really well at a college or high school. Rich roles for young folks to dig their teeth into and some beautiful monologues.

View all 5 recommendations
5 W, 1 M

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Bechdel Group, Year 2023
  • Type Reading, Organization Director Adrienne Campbell-Holt, Hunter College MFA Roundtable Reading Series, Year 2023
  • Type Residency, Organization stroller scene – Dragon's Egg Development Retreat, Year 2023

Awards

  • Emerging Writers Residency
    Circle in the Square
    Finalist
    2025
  • Bay Area Playwrights Festival
    Semi-Finalist
    2025
  • Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival
    Southeast Missouri State University
    Finalist
    2025