Monologues

Information about the Playwright

Professional actor and writer Jean Donatto was identified as the artist for collaboration due to her dedication to educational theater, specifically in health education. She works closely with the Texas Children’s Cancer Center and Young Audiences of Houston. Familiar with the adverse effects of breast cancer in the African-American community on a personal level, Jean brings together all the necessary elements to develop the piece.

“Beauty from the Inside Out”

Maya Joseph is a forward-thinking 30-year-old mother of 4-year-old twins. She is industrious and determined to create a good life for her children and herself. She has the firm support of her mother, a retired teacher. She is an upbeat and optimistic entrepreneur and is always working at something in addition to her regular job as an LVN for, “a little extra.” She is in the second semester of a course that will lead to her becoming a Registered Nurse. One of her, “sides” is a beauty vlog called “Healthy Beauty With Maya.” Today she demonstrates one method of doing a smoky eye. She also informs her viewers about information she has discovered at her mom’s house and identifies some of the risk factors for breast cancer among younger African American women.

“Beauty from the Inside Out” is a 10-minute monologue performed in English available on YouTube.

Information about the Playwright

Professional writer, director, and producer Sandra V. Pari is internationally known for her talent. She is the executive producer of Bara Comunicaciones, where she has developed numerous video projects. Ms. Pari has worked with the Community Emergency Response Team and has been recognized for her hard work in Christian media communication by the Final Harvest. Sandra has a passion for empowering the Latino community through mass communication.

“No Será Mi Pesadilla"

Lupita is a 45-year-old hardworking woman. She loves her family dearly but does little to take care of herself. She falls asleep after talking to her neighbor about the death of someone who passed away from breast cancer. In her sleep, her conscience challenges her habits and insists that it is time for her to get a mammogram. Lupita wakes up convinced that it is best to act before it is too late.

"It Won't Be My Nightmare" is a 20-minute performance performed in Spanish available on YouTube.

No Será Mi Pesadilla - Lupita y Su Consciencia: Obra teatral sobre Cáncer de Seno

Lupita pasa su vida sin preocuparse de su salud y comiendo sin control. No recuerda cuando fue la última vez que visitó al doctor. Cuando iba a cumplir 45 años tiene una pesadilla donde su conciencia le habla de la importancia del mamograma para la detección temprana del cáncer de seno, le recuerda que el cáncer de seno es la causa principal de muerte de las mujeres hispanas en los Estados Unidos, que ella ya pasó los 40 años, que a esa edad se comienza con los exámenes de detección y está poniendo en riesgo su salud con su estilo de vida. Su conciencia le persuade para que llame al doctor y haga una cita para su examen de detección. La oficina de proyección comunitaria en el centro de cáncer integral Dan L. Duncan en el Colegio de Medicina de Baylor presenta "No Será Mi Pesadilla- Lupita y Su Consciencia” una obra teatral (monólogo) sobre la concientización del cáncer de seno. Como parte de nuestro programa de teatro educativo, este monólogo tiene el objetivo de proporcionar información a la población hispana sobre la importancia de la detección temprana del cáncer de seno.

Information about Playwright and Unique Collaboration

Professional actor and writer Jean Donatto was identified as the artist for collaboration due to her dedication to educational theater, specifically in health education. The Office of Outreach and Health Disparities provided Jean with key health messages essential to promote in the monologue.

Also, Ms. Donatto worked closely with the CNCP’s clinical advisory board and the Vietnamese advisers to develop a breast cancer educational monologue that was medically and culturally sound to the Vietnamese community. Once the script was developed, it was translated into Vietnamese. Jean worked closely with actress, Chi Nguyen, to make her character come to life.

"Pink Meets the Wise Wise East"

Trinh, a 49-year-old successful middle-aged businesswoman, has finally been able to fully impart health information she feels is sorely needed by the two younger sisters of her elderly aunt. She has finally given openly all the information she has been giving in bits and pieces, plus pamphlets and clinic locations to the younger aunts and several neighbors.

Pink Meets the Wise Wise East is a 20-minute performance performed in Vietnamese available on YouTube.

Là một phần trong chương trình tiếp cận qua hình thức sân khấu kịch của chúng tôi, vở kịch độc thoại này nhắm đến mục đích cung cấp thông tin đến cộng đồng nói tiếng Việt Nam về việc xét nghiệm cho bệnh ung thư vú.

Trinh Là một người phụ nữ trạc 45 tuổi làm nghề buôn bán rất thành công. Cô đã tụ họp được nhiều tài liệu trong sự tiến bộ vượt bực của ngành y tế bây giờ. Cô cảm thấy cần thiết để chia sẻ nhất là cho hai người dì trẻ của cô. Cuối cùng cô cũng đã được lần lượt trình bày tĩ mỉ từng chút một, kể cả các nơi và địa chỉ hoặc địa điểm phòng khám cho các dì với một số người hàng xóm.

“A Well-Tuned Engine”

Twenty-eight-year-old Becka Jackson has earned the distinction of being the first African-American assistant crew chief on the NHRA Drag-Racing circuit. The demands of her “baby” (race car) keep her busy day and night. Becka can be in a different city each weekend for a whole year with hardly any time for herself. She has skipped her Well Woman exam, including her Pap smear for the last couple of years, trusting luck. Anticipating a well-deserved trip home, her younger sister, Paige asked her to speak to a group of underserved women who were very intimidated by the thought of a gynecological examination. Realizing that if she were to be honest in giving this talk, she’d better walk the walk. Becka books a Well Woman exam with a doctor in Martinville, Tennessee at the Thunder Valley Meet. Having her exam and answering the doctor’s questions, Becka gets thinking about what a wonderful machine the human body is and how all parts must be tuned in harmony for good health maintenance.

“A Well-Tuned Engine” is a 20-minute monologue performed in English available on YouTube.

“Mi Decisión"

Susana is a single mom just trying to make ends meet. When she discovers her friend Lulu is going to get a pap test, she wonders if she should get one too. Her mom and dad weigh in on the subject, but she makes up her own decision in the end. Mi Decisión delivers recommendations regarding the prevention of cervical cancer in an entertaining and easy-to-understand way.

"Mi Decisión" is a 20-minute monologue performed in Spanish available on YouTube.

"My Friend's Health is My Business"

SỨC KHỎE CỦA BẠN BÈ LÀ CHUYỆN VIỆC CỦA TÔI

Jenny Mai is a modern and accomplished 28-year-old flight attendant. She now has some seniority and flies mostly internationally. Jenny returns home for blocks of time, during which she volunteers at an animal shelter. She has several friends both at home and abroad. Despite her many travels, Jenny knows she should take better care of her health. For example, she constantly nibbles at the complementary peanuts and eats airline food. However, one thing she doesn't compromise is her screening. When the health representative came to a seminar six years ago, there was a separate “women's only” breakout session emphasizing cervical cancer. This representative brought very graphic pictures and every attendant of various cultures there made a pact that whether they were together or not, they would always get their pelvic exams and pap smears when they should.

Jenny describes to the audience what she has been through by alternating between reminiscing stories and direct factual conversation. She will share all recommended facts pertinent to HPV, cervical cancer, pap smear, social reluctance toward the examination, and their respective resources.

“My Friends’ Health is My Business” is a 20-minute monologue performed in Vietnamese available on YouTube.

“The Bottom Line”

Eddie T. is a successful middle-aged grocery store manager and has a very good life. However, Eddie’s world changes forever as he must bury his longtime friend Archie whom he lost to colorectal cancer. Eddie recounts his life growing up with his best friend, his unhealthy eating habits, lack of physical activity, use of alcohol and cigarettes, and Archie’s reluctance to get screening for colorectal cancer. Wishing he could have done something to get Archie screened earlier, Eddie encourages African-American men and women to begin screening for colorectal cancer starting at 45 using screening tests that their healthcare provider can offer them.

The Bottom Line” is a 16-minute monologue performed in English available on YouTube.

“La Vida es un Sueño”

Rene is a man between 50 and 55. He appears lying stiff on a bed completely covered with a blanket. He stands up and realizes that he is dead. Panicked and confused, he begins to talk to himself, recognizing the importance of a colonoscopy. Suddenly, a voice wakes him up. He realizes that he was only dreaming and is elated that it was only a dream. Now he will surely go to get his exam done.

“La Vida es un Sueño” is a 20-minute monologue performed in Spanish available on YouTube.

“Uncle Vu Has the Answer”

Lonnie is a well-respected pharmacist at a major public health hospital. For a few years now, he has noticed that many of the prescriptions filled for the Vietnamese clients have been for cancer; colorectal cancer specifically. Uncle Vu, who is 74 and actively health-conscious, has discussed this with Lonnie many times. He has asked Lonnie to present much-needed information to a group at this social club.

Uncle Vu Has the Answer” is a 12-minute video performed in Vietnamese available on YouTube.

“Vacation is Over”

Clara is a nurse and mother. She is always very busy and never too shy about speaking her mind, making sure everyone knows how amazing she is. Clara is running late after returning from her Miami vacation to meet with some friends in preparation for the “Back to School” event at their children’s school. But, as always, Clara is ready to tell everyone all about the trip. Especially this time, because during her trip, Clara attended a conference about adolescent health and learned all about the vaccine for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Clara learned that the HPV Vaccine can protect against HPV and the diseases it causes, including some types of cancer. Since the vaccine is most effective when given to adolescent children ages 11-12, she wants to make sure her friends understand the importance of getting them vaccinated before seventh grade-- at the same time they get other vaccines required for school. Of course, she won’t leave out details about her exciting excursions and adventures in Miami.

Vacation is Over is a 15-minute monologue performed in Spanish available on YouTube.