O:JA&L Theater Arts
Drama: Plays for Page or Stage
Robin Landa
The Waiting Room
A One-Act Play
Click on the title to explore or download the free PDF script.
Performance/production rights are not conveyed via this link.
LOGLINE: In a hospital waiting room, an unlikely friendship blossoms between Jackie Kennedy Onassis and a working-class woman, Betty B. Erder, as they navigate love, loss, and life’s unexpected turns.
SYNOPSIS: Set in the sterile confines of Lenox Hill Hospital’s waiting room in 1984, “The Waiting Room” follows an unexpected encounter between Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Betty B. Erder, two women from vastly different worlds. As they await news of their loved ones, they form a surprising bond over life’s trials—relationships, family, and personal resilience. Their conversations, filled with wit and warmth, reveal their shared experiences of love, loss, and reinvention. Through humor, candor, and an act of spontaneous deception, their connection deepens, illustrating the universality of human emotion, no matter one’s social standing.
About the playwright:
Robin Landa is an award-winning designer, author, and professor known for her insightful storytelling and keen exploration of human connections. She has written extensively on creativity, branding, and design, with her work recognized in numerous prestigious publications. As a distinguished professor at Kean University, Landa has inspired countless students and professionals with her expertise in communication and storytelling. Her plays often blend humor and depth, capturing the nuances of relationships and personal growth. The Waiting Room exemplifies her ability to craft compelling narratives that resonate across audiences, bridging the gap between historical figures and everyday lives.
Featured Image: Confidant (AI-assisted digital image) by O:JA&L staff creative. 2025. Public domain via Midjourney AI.
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