At its heart, Polly’s Army of One is about how we become ourselves—and what it costs, what it takes, and what we carry along the way.
Polly’s Army of One is a one-woman theatrical work blending storytelling, humor, and direct audience address to explore identity, resilience, and chosen family across a lifetime. Performed by a single actor embodying multiple ages and perspectives, the piece traces one queer woman’s journey from childhood through later life as she navigates belonging, love, loss, and self-acceptance.
The structure is episodic and character-driven, moving fluidly between past and present. Humor is used alongside moments of vulnerability to invite reflection on how personal history, societal norms, and internalized expectations shape identity. The work is intimate in scale, designed for flexible staging and minimal technical requirements, making it well suited for fringe and small-venue presentation.
This is an intimate performance, shaped by the room and the moment.
Polly’s Army of One is performed in direct relationship with the audience. The piece shifts fluidly between characters, ages, and emotional registers, with the performer speaking to the room as much as performing for it.
Humor opens the door. Vulnerability deepens the connection. Moments of recognition—sometimes quiet, sometimes surprising—invite the audience to see parts of their own lives reflected back at them.
Because the work is designed for close proximity and minimal staging, each performance is slightly different. The story adapts to the space, the audience, and the energy in the room, creating a shared experience that feels personal, present, and alive.
Designed to travel light and meet audiences where they are.
Polly’s Army of One is written and performed by Patti Dobrowolski, co-written by Molly Thompson and Nancy Cranbourne, and directed by Michael “Mik” Coyle.
The piece is a solo performance created for flexible presentation. It runs approximately 45 minutes and is performed by a single actor, allowing it to adapt easily to a range of venues and settings.
The production is intentionally minimal, with limited technical requirements and simple staging. This makes it well suited for fringe festivals, small theaters, galleries, community spaces, and special events, as well as venues seeking work that is intimate, portable, and audience-focused.
The performance is fully artist-produced and appropriate for adult audiences. Specific technical needs and space considerations can be discussed directly with the presenter to ensure the work is well supported in each setting.
This work has already met its first audiences.
Polly’s Army of One premiered as a live theatrical event in Tucson, Arizona, presented at Urbanity Gallery + Events. The performance was offered as a ticketed fundraiser and brought together an intimate audience for an afternoon of storytelling, humor, and reflection.
The inaugural presentation established the piece as a flexible, audience-centered work designed for close connection and meaningful engagement. Audience response confirmed the strength of the format and its ability to resonate across personal, cultural, and generational lines.
As a fully artist-produced work, Polly’s Army of ONE is positioned to continue reaching new audiences through future performances in additional cities and venues.
This work is meant to travel and meet new audiences.
Polly’s Army of One is available for future performances and is well suited for touring, special presentations, and curated events. Because of its flexible format and minimal technical needs, the piece can be presented in a wide range of settings, including theaters, galleries, festivals, universities, and community spaces.
Patti is currently exploring opportunities to bring the work to new cities and states. Each performance is shaped in conversation with the hosting venue, allowing the piece to remain intimate while responding to the character of the space and the audience.
Hosts interested in presenting Polly’s Army of ONE are encouraged to reach out to discuss availability, scheduling, and fit.
The story and the storyteller are inseparable.
Polly’s Army of One is written and performed by Patti Dobrowolski, whose creative work spans visual storytelling, performance, and live facilitation. Across mediums, her practice centers on making complex inner and outer worlds visible—often through humor, vulnerability, and direct connection with an audience.
This theatrical work reflects a different but deeply connected facet of Patti’s creative life. While her visual thinking work often helps groups see patterns and possibilities, Polly’s Army of ONE turns that same clarity inward, tracing how a life is shaped over time through memory, identity, and choice.
As both writer and performer, Patti brings the piece to life with immediacy and presence, grounding the work in lived experience while inviting audiences into moments that feel both personal and widely recognizable.
This work is meant to be shared—live, in the room.
Polly’s Army of One is available for future performances and touring. The piece is well suited for theaters, galleries, festivals, universities, and community spaces seeking intimate, story-driven work that connects deeply with audiences.
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