CHARLENE
A. DONAGHY

WRITER · EDUCATOR · PRODUCER

I write to explore.
I teach to empower.
I believe in the power of story.

‘Donaghy has a gift for finding the truth that lurks below our eccentricities.’

— DOUG WRIGHT, PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING PLAYWRIGHT

ABOUT

About Me

My work lives at the intersection of story, stage, classroom, and creative collaboration.

Endlessly curious about the stories people carry, I write, teach, and create in pursuit of connection and discovery. Inspired by artists and energized by students, I believe the best stories leave us changed, open to new ideas, new possibilities, and one another.

EXPLORE

Writing. Teaching. Publishing. Creating.

Writing

Including 4 a.m. Friends, The Quadroon and the Dove, one-act plays, ten-minute plays, and monologues.

TEACHING

University courses, workshops, and lectures.

PUBLICATIONS

Plays, essays, anthologies, and published work.

What's New

Creative collaboration, producing, and speaking.

Featured Work

On Stage & In Print

Play

4 a.m. Friends

Funny. Touching. Heartbreakingly real.

4 a.m. Friends will break your heart with the truth, break open the champagne for celebration, and break you out of jail.

“Through laughter and tears, companionship and strife, these friends navigate life. 4 a.m. Friends is a poignant portrait of resilience, friendship, and the enduring bonds that stand the test of time.” — Catherine O'Neill, Playwright & Theatre Maker

Learn More →

Featured Play

4 a.m. Friends

A story of friendship, memory, and the stories that keep us connected across time.

Connecting audiences in communities across the country. Nominated for the 20th Annual Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards.

Learn More →

Published Craft Book

One Bold Voice

Writing Compelling Monologues

A practical and inspiring guide to writing monologues that land—for writers, educators, students, and actors.

Drawing on years of award-winning teaching and writing, Charlene shares twelve essential elements for crafting unforgettable voices.

Learn More →

Published Craft Book

One Bold Voice

A practical guide for writers, actors, students, and teachers who want to create compelling monologues.

Writing Compelling Monologues by Charlene A. Donaghy.

Learn More →

FEATURED WORK

On Stage & In Print

4 a.m. Friends

4 a.m. Friends will break your heart with the truth, break open the champagne for celebration, and break you out of jail. “Through laughter and tears, companionship and strife, these friends navigate life. 4 a.m. Friends is a poignant portrait of resilience, friendship, and the enduring bonds that stand the test of time.” - Catherine O’Neill, Playwright & Theatre Maker

4 a.m. Friends

A story of friendship, memory, and the stories that keep us connected across time. Connecting audiences in communities across the country. Nominated for the 20th Annual Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards.

Learn More

One Bold Voice

A practical and inspiring guide to writing monologues that land—for writers, educators, students, and actors. Drawing on years of award-winning teaching and writing, Charlene shares twelve essential elements for crafting unforgettable voices.

One Bold Voice

A practical guide for writers, actors, students, and teachers who want to create compelling monologues. Writing Compelling Monologues by Charlene A. Donaghy.

Learn More

READ

What Others Are Saying

Charlene's command of craft is matched only by her ability to make it accessible, turning intimidating concepts into hands-on activities and tools you can actually use.

A.D. Uhlar

Author, The Elixir of Green Willow Guard

Charlene writes stories that give voice beyond the boundaries of race, sex, or privilege, painting pictures of human conditions.

Jackie Davis

Director, Actor, and Artistic Director, New Urban Theatre Laboratory

What you learn from Charlene Donaghy is that the best monologues leave an audience and the character speaking somewhere different from where they started.

Randall David Cook

Playwright, Educator, and Theatre Maker

GET IN TOUCH

Let's Connect

Whether you’re interested in my writing, teaching, speaking, or creative collaboration — I’d love to hear from you.

CHARLENE A. DONAGHY

WRITER · EDUCATOR · PRODUCER

ABOUT

About Me

EXPLORE

Writing. Teaching. Publishing. Creating.

Writing

Including 4 a.m. Friends, The Quadroon and the Dove, one-act plays, ten-minute plays, and monologues.

TEACHING

University courses, workshops, and lectures.

PUBLICATIONS

Plays, essays, anthologies, and published work.

What's New

Creative collaboration, producing, and speaking.

On Stage & In Print

4 a.m. Friends

4 a.m. Friends

One Bold Voice

One Bold Voice

FEATURED WORK

On Stage & In Print

4 a.m. Friends

4 a.m. Friends

One Bold Voice

One Bold Voice

READ

What Others Are Saying

Charlene's command of craft is matched only by her ability to make it accessible, turning intimidating concepts into hands-on activities and tools you can actually use.

A.D. Uhlar

Author, The Elixir of Green Willow Guard

Charlene writes stories that give voice beyond the boundaries of race, sex, or privilege, painting pictures of human conditions.

Jackie Davis

Director, Actor, and Artistic Director, New Urban Theatre Laboratory

What you learn from Charlene Donaghy is that the best monologues leave an audience and the character speaking somewhere different from where they started.

Randall David Cook

Playwright, Educator, and Theatre Maker

GET IN TOUCH

Let's Connect

CHARLENE
A. DONAGHY