Plays
Della Doucet
On the run from a military marriage, Southern-born Della struggles to find her way in the gritty New York art world of 1981. At age 39, Della is determined to find herself. But her intimidating husband casts a long shadow and her young sons back in North Carolina are hurting. Then Della meets just the right man—except that he wants kids.
MAKING W.A.V.E.S
When Verna Swenson enlists in the WAVES in 1943, the Navy assigns her to teach instrument flying to pilots. It’s a difficult job for the young, Swedish-American farm girl. Especially when she realizes that she’s the one who wants to fly.
Wanderwild
1972. Sex, drugs…and ballet? Set at a freewheeling hippie college in the psychedelic 70s, Wanderwild is a funny and poignant re-telling of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
MAKING WAVES
New Play Profiles World War II Navy Women
Who were the WAVES—and what did they do in the war? Meet these intrepid women, who took over men’s Navy jobs in WWII, in the new play Making WAVES.
Inspired by the experiences of actual Navy WAVES, including the playwright’s mother, Making WAVES explores the 1943 world of Minnesota farm girl Verna Swenson as she takes on the challenge of teaching instrument flying to male pilots. In the WAVES, Verna travels from boot camp in the Bronx to the volcanic beauty of Hawaii, finding deep friendship, learning about racism, trying to jitterbug--and to outrun the fear that has dogged her since childhood.
Some of Denver’s top actors brought the script to life in the play’s first public reading at Lighthouse Writers in 2019.
Verna Johnson departs for practice flight over Hawaii in 1945
The WAVES marched to many songs. This is one of the best known:
WAVES of the Navy (harmonizes with Anchors Aweigh) Lyrics by Betty St. Clair, 1943
WAVES of the Navy, There's a ship sailing down the bay. And she won't slip into port again Until that Victory Day.
Carry on for that gallant ship And for every hero brave Who will find ashore, his man-sized chore Was done by a Navy WAVE.
For more vintage photos, click HERE