Doriane Swain

Serial healer and chronic emoter, Doriane Swain is a performer, playwright, poet, and producer who relies upon the pen, the mic, the stage, and the screen to render healing from crisis. The former pre-med Pitt Panther turned RU theater alum has performed in classical, contemporary and musical theater throughout the tristate area. In 2024, Doriane appeared in the world premiere of her second full-length play at Vanguard Theater Company and returned to their stage in March of ‘25 with a comedic performance drenched in social commentary as part of Black Ink: A Night of Poetry, Prose and Power. On May the Fourth (be with you), her writing was featured on two stages: Healing Voices: Caregiver’s Stories on Stage (McCarter Theater) and MotherLoad, a short play festival (Swan Dive Theater Collective). 

When it comes to playwriting, Doriane has found it necessary to apply the wisdom of Chaplain – panning out far enough to find the funny when the close-ups are not just tragic, but horrifying. Produced works include DayMares and NightDreams (Manhattan Repertoire Theater and Lab@Luna), Eulogized, a short play acknowledging the societal mortality that follows so-called urban renewal (The 280 Project, Luna Stage); Secret Cities, a 48-hour theatrical event (Luna Stage); Etched Sketches (from my ticking clock of doom), sketch comedy exorcizing her existential dread (Swan Dive); and Cordially, Indisposed, a hilarious sci-fi horror about her love life (Vanguard). 

Doriane has had the honor of serving as emcee and headliner for several community events with Crossroads Theater Company, as well as cellist for their NAACP New Brunswick Chapter centennial event. As Teaching Artist with NJPAC, she’s had the privilege of developing curriculum to accompany numerous school-time productions covering social and political themes including Good Trouble, Finding North, The Mayhem Poets, and the Audible series, The Book of Baraka. 

Currently, Doriane is taking pause to establish her footing between two life paths, transitioning from a near-decade of caregiving to creating the life her parents raised her to live.  

What’s next? Brand launch: Vegan SoulFlour -- love always shares.