Genre: Dramedy, Stage Play

Length: 10 minutes

Casting
Any race or ethnicity. The two characters should be close in age. They were written as a heterosexual couple, but the author would entertain the possibility of making them gay or lesbian, with names and pronouns changed accordingly.
1 woman, past retirement age.
1 man, past retirement age.

Synopsis
Two people, both past retirement age, have been having a relationship for 10 months. She wants to break it off, requiring them to remove their personal items from each other’s house. Will they?

Excerpt
Ona: Have you got everything? Your shaving stuff? Your Scotch?
Novak: It’s touching how solicitous you’ve become now that you’re getting rid of me.
Ona: I’d like to think of it as kindness.
Novak: They’re synonyms, actually.
Ona: You have just illustrated why–never mind. Would you just go?
Novak: After more than ten months I think I’m entitled to a few minutes to gather my things.
Ona: Fine.

Production needs summary
Set
Two entrances. A counter or a table to serve as one.

Costumes
Modern casual, with a jacket, for Novak. Bathrobe and slippers for Cana.

Props
Coffee maker. Coffee grinder. Coffee mug. Two or three tote bags filled with items that the audience cannot see. A scarf or other man’s personal item. A light vacuum cleaner.

Sound
Doorbell. Knocking on a wooden surface can substitute.

Production History
Small Personal Items was produced at The Theatre Center, New York, in 2026. It was also selected by the Midwestern Dramatists Center for their annual festival, 2026.