OUR STORY
Soapbox Stage Works was founded by playwright, performer, and director Karen Devaney - first in Philadelphia, now rooted in the beautiful Central Coast of California. From the beginning, Karen's vision was a sandbox: a space where playwrights could workshop new material, local artists could collaborate with voices from around the world, and theater could reflect the full diversity of its community. We are a non-profit company. We give 10% of every show's proceeds to a local partner organization. We welcome every corner of our community - and we believe there is room in the sandbox for everyone.
KAREN DEVANEY
Founder
Award-winning writer, director, performer, and educator Karen has built a career spanning theatre, film, television, and literature on both the East and West Coasts. She received the prestigious Irene Ryan Award for her performances as Sister Marguerite in Red Noses and Zerbinetta in Scapino, launching a lifelong commitment to storytelling and the performing arts.
Raised in a lively Irish-Italian family where stories were shared as readily as meals, Karen developed a passion for creating characters and narratives that celebrate resilience, diversity, and the human experience. She has studied extensively with leading theatre practitioners and has worked professionally as an actor, director, playwright, and teacher throughout her career.
Karen founded Soapbox Stageworks while teaching theatre and writing at the university level in Philadelphia, where she also taught acting and performed professionally in Philadelphia and New York.
Her work spans stage, screen, and publishing. The Great Forgotten, a television series co-created with her daughter, began as a sold-out production at New York City's International Fringe Festival and attracted industry attention. Her novel Between the Vines is being adapted for film, and she is currently developing The Cannery Women, a feature inspired by Monterey's sardine industry era.
In addition to writing plays, screenplays, novels, and children's books, Karen remains an active performer. Her one-woman show Nurse Noelle draws on her unique life experiences, while works such as The Porch - a sold-out comedy exploring community, ageism, and gentrification - demonstrate her commitment to meaningful storytelling.
A former Registered Nurse, college professor, yoga instructor, and dance teacher, Karen raised two daughters while balancing a demanding professional and creative life. Her experiences caring for people during their most vulnerable moments have shaped the empathy, humor, and authenticity that define her work. Today, she continues to create stories that connect audiences through compassion, courage, and a deep appreciation for the richness of human experience
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Soapbox Stageworks is a registered non-profit organization. And at every Soapbox production, 10% of proceeds go to another local non-profit partner. We choose organizations that reflect our values: community, equity, and care for the most vulnerable. Past and current partners include:
