Comedy-Drama/ 2 Characters, 1 Man, 1 Woman/ Full Length, Two Acts

Synopsis: When Cane dumps fiancée Yasmine after eight years, he thinks he’s done with the relationship. But a trip back to their apartment to collect his things becomes a lesson in truth… and consequences. A taut two-hander in real time.

“A brilliant piece of theatre! Edge of the seat stuff, compelling, intense, daring, full-on and real.”

“Powerful, personal, provocative and profound.” – Audience reviews on Timeout London

“A very powerful piece that challenges traditional ideas of dominance, sexual tactics, and violence” – George Sapio, New Play Exchange

Finalist, IATI Theatre Contest, IATI Theatre, 2015

Most of The Way It Is may be read by clicking on the “Read It Now” button above. To obtain a complete reading copy, contact the playwright at donna@donnahoke.com

Contact Information:
Amateur and professional rights:
Donna Hoke
71 Towhee Court
East Amherst, NY
USA 14051
Ph.: 973-919-2038
Playwright’s website: donnahoke.com
E-mail: donna@donnahoke.com
Representation: Samara Harris, Robert A. Freedman Dramatic Agency, samara@robertfreedmanagency.com
International: Tonda Marton, The Marton Agency, tonda@martonagency.com, 212-255-1908

About the Playwright: Donna’s work has been seen in 47 states and on five continents, including at Barrington Stage, Barrow Group, Celebration Theatre, Gulfshore Theatre, Queens Theatre, The Road, Writers Theatre New Jersey, Phoenix Theatre, Atlantic Stage, Purple Rose, Skylight, Pride Films and Plays, New Jersey Rep, Hens and Chickens (London), The Galway Fringe Festival, and Actors Repertory Theatre of Luxembourg. Plays include BRILLIANT WORKS OF ART (Kilroys List), ELEVATOR GIRL (O’Neill and Princess Grace finalist), SAFE (winner of the Todd McNerney, Naatak, and Great Gay Play and Musical Contests), and TEACH (Gulfshore New Works winner). She has been nominated for the Primus, Blackburn, and Laura Pels prizes, and is a three-time winner of the Emanuel Fried Award for Outstanding New Play (SEEDS, SONS & LOVERS, ONCE IN MY LIFETIME). She has also received an Individual Artist Award from the New York State Council on the Arts to develop HEARTS OF STONE, and, in its final three years, Artvoice named her Buffalo’s Best Writer—the only woman to ever receive the designation. 

Donna also serves on the Dramatists Guild Council, is an ensemble playwright at Road Less Traveled Productions, blogger, moderator of the 12,000+-member Official Playwrights of Facebook, New York Times-published crossword puzzle constructor; children’s and trivia book author; and founder/co-curator of BUA Takes 10: GLBT Short Stories. Speaking engagements include Citywrights, Kenyon Playwrights Conference, the Dramatists Guild National Conference, Chicago Dramatists, the Austin Film Festival, and a live Dramatists Guild webinar. Her commentary has been seen on #2amt, howlround, The Dramatist, the Official Playwrights of Facebook, Workshopping the New Play (Applause, 2017), and at donnahoke.com.

The Way It Is was first produced by 5th Wall Productions in Charleston, SC in 2016.