A play that authentically deals with the host of issues surrounding end-of-life, coupled with a moderated post-play discussion, presents a rich opportunity for educating audience members on these issues. It also provides audience members a safe harbor to share and process their own thoughts and feelings on those issues. Vesta is such a play.

What, or who, is Vesta?

Vesta is a stage play by Bryan Harnetiaux, of Spokane, Wash. It is an intimate, 90-minute drama that examines with humor and warmth an ordinary family’s struggle with end-of-life issues. Vesta is also the name of the title character of the play. Between the ages of 75 and 80, Vesta confronts a loss of independence after a stroke, a series of complex medical, economic, and personal issues following a bout with cancer, and, inevitably, her death.

The conflicts in Vesta focus on family dynamics, particularly the relationships between Vesta, her daughter Carol, and granddaughter, Kelly. Vesta is a seven-character drama that requires only a minimal set, and is one of the few plays available that works not only as a theater piece, but is also designed to serve as a catalyst for family and community discourse on aging and end-of-life issues. This play has proven to be relatively easy to mount as a community production, whether performed as a regular play or as a staged reading. See Playwright’s Notes about Vesta, below.

Life's End Institute is the exclusive licensor for productions developed by providers for the specific purpose of education and community discourse on end-of-life issues. Life's End Institute will license production of the play by amateurs or professionals. Providers using a professional theater company may not produce more than three shows at the company’s theater under any licensing agreement available through Life's End Institute. See How to Obtain the Right to Produce Vesta in Your Community, below.

What others have said about Vesta

When Vesta was first produced as a full-length stage play in October, 1996, theater critic Jim Kershner wrote:

"Vesta rings absolutely true...

In fact, for some viewers, this intimate play about an elderly woman’s slow journey toward the inevitable may come too close to home. Just as Vesta’s middle-aged daughter, Carol, finds her mother’s decline too painful to live through, many theater-goers may find it too painful to sit through. I’m here to tell you – it’s worth it."

Jim Kershner, The Spokesman-Review, October 21, 1996 (Spokane, WA)

"Vesta. What an experience!!

This play is a dynamic journey for anyone who has the opportunity to experience it. It provides humor and sensitivity for a very difficult time in all of our lives.

The staff at Gaston Hospice in Gastonia, NC presented this play as a dramatic reading and has found that it was the most effective teaching tool we have ever used. Vesta covers all the dynamics that families face when dealing with the experiences of aging, relationships, chronic illness and dying. We cannot begin to describe the impact this play has had on everyone who has the pleasure to listen to the words of Vesta.

We love it and wish we could see this play on Broadway."

Lee Bucci, RN, MS, CAN, Executive Director
Gaston Hospice, Gastonia, NC

"Ahead of his time, Harnetiaux brilliantly positioned his quill on the faint pulse of an aging population verging on explosion as he commenced penning an intergenerational scaffolding entitled Vesta. It is a delight to see this piece come into its own as millions of Americans struggle to deal intimately and caringly with the inevitability of their loved ones' death and dying pathways. While Vesta's humor rescues the audience in the present, it offers a tender hug, leaving viewers moist-eyed, thoughtful and more prepared for dialogue on the way to an ambiguous future."

Gail Goeller, author of the forthcoming book on eldercare: "Rub-a-Dub Dub, Grandma's Stuck in the Tub: Coming of Age with Aging Parents,"and founder and editor of "The Complete Directory for Seniors and Their Families," (Spokane, Wash.)

"Join Vesta on her journey from wellness through aging, disability, dependence and loss; bear witness to the impact of this journey on those who care for her and about her, especially her daughter and graddaughter. A witty and fiercely independent woman, Vesta confronts the challenges of living with illness her way! Vesta became part of the Cape Cod community during LifeCare Conversations 2001, our first annual advance care planning public awareness campaign held each November. A troupe of local actors gave generously of their time and talents to bring Vesta to multiple locations from Falmouth to Provincetown. We plan to bring Vesta back each year!"

Sally Okun, Executive Director
Center for Life Care Planning & Support, Hyannis, MA

To see an excerpt from Vesta in PDF format, click here.

To read about the History of Vesta, click here.

Playwright’s Notes about Vesta

Vesta often evokes a strong emotional response from audiences. Optional post-play discussions moderated by professionals are helpful for those that need to respond to the play in an immediate and public way.

Ideally Vesta, like any play, works best when it is fully performed after a substantial rehearsal process. As a fully polished piece of theater, the audience is most likely to give itself over to the world of the play. That said, Vesta also works well as a staged reading, with the actors - for the most part – performing script in hand, with little stage movement, or blocking. Staged readings require much less in the way of rehearsal time and production requirements. The script, available through Life's End Institute, includes specific directions on how to best produce a staged reading for those not undertaking a full performance of the play. Also, the production package that accompanies the Vesta script includes "Production Notes by the Playwright" for providers, discussing various ways of going about producing Vesta in your community and making recommendations regarding presentation of the play itself. These notes include suggestions regarding performance venue, set requirements, and casting considerations.

How to Obtain a Perusal copy of Vesta

If your organization wants to consider producing Vesta for your community, and you want to review a perusal copy of the script, Life's End Institute will send one by mail, upon receipt of the Vesta Perusal copy Request Form along with a $25 handling fee. The manuscript will be mailed to you by priority mail and must be returned in the same manner within 30 days of receipt. The manuscript may not be copied for any reason without the express written consent of Life's End Institute.

How to Obtain the Right to do Vesta in Your Community

Life's End Institute will license Vesta for production by you in one of three ways:

1.) Your acquisition of a production license from Life's End Institute entitles you to produce Vesta in your community, in a clinical setting, that is, a setting which has the specific purpose of education and community discourse on end-of-life issues. Under this package Vesta is licensed for performance or staged reading, up to three times within one calendar year. (A clinical setting production for your community under this package generally does not include professional conferences, seminars and the like. See number 3.) below.)

2.) You may acquire a production package for Vesta, with the "Arts as Avenue: Generating Community Awareness about Life’s End" Rallying Points Certificate. With this certificate, as a Rallying Points Community Coalition, you are entitled to produce Vesta in your community, in a clinical setting, that is, a setting which has the specific purpose of education and community discourse on end-of-life issues, either for performance or staged reading, up to three times within one calendar year. (A clinical setting production for your community under this package generally does not include professional conferences, seminars and the like. See number 3.) below.)

3.) All other clinical setting productions of Vesta not covered under numbers 1.) and 2.) above are subject to negotiation with Life's End Institute on a case-by-case basis. For example, if a provider wishes to produce Vesta more than three times during a calendar year the licensing fee would be negotiable. Also, generally licensing fees for productions at professional conferences, seminars or similar events are negotiated. The licensing fee charged may take into account the time and place of production, audience size, attendee tuition schedule, speakers’ fee schedule, whether the production is available to the public free of charge, and related factors.

Questions regarding the licensing of Vesta, and whether your contemplated production would fall under categories 1.), 2.) or 3.) should be directed to:

Once the production details are tentatively agreed upon with a provider, Life's End Institute will prepare for signature a written contract reflecting the agreement.