Doriane Swain

Serial healer and chronic emoter, Doriane Swain is an actor, writer, poet, and producer who relies upon the pen, mic, stage, and screen to render healing (and humor) from crisis. The former pre-med Pitt Panther turned RU theater alum has performed in theater and film throughout the NY Metropolitan area. Her most recent roles include a smack-talking, jazz-singing, love-to-hate protagonist (comedy series), a salty but endearing barista (horror feature), and a vibrant, sultry, spunky emcee for a currently recurring speakeasy theatrical production. 

As writer and performer, Doriane appeared in the world premiere of her second full-length play at Vanguard Theater Company (fall, 2024) and returned to their stage the following spring with a comedic performance drenched in social commentary. 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). 

In addition to her two full-length plays, performance credits also include: Ghost in the House: A Meditation on the Life and Times of Jack Johnson (SAG feature, Frank Megna); The Life, Love, and Tales of Terror of Edgar Allen Poe (Pax Amicus Castle Theater); The Cost of Care ((Speyer Hall Theater, Jody Wood); and Murphy’s Law: Group Therapy Gone Wild (Hamiliton Stage, Andrea Clinton). Doriane has also had the pleasure of working closely with Crossroads Theater Company (emcee and headliner) and NJPAC as teaching artist and curriculum writer for teacher resources guides including The Book of Baraka (Audible).

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. Credits 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 about a very real existential crisis (Swan Dive); and Cordially, Indisposed, a hilarious sci-fi horror about her love life (Vanguard Theater Company). 

Through the years of occasionally performing and regularly teaching, Doriane’s primary role was that of Caregiver. Often referred to as an “angel” by nurses and techs for her continuous presence and support, she was also perhaps known for being the visitor who made sure everyone leveled TF up. Advocating for her parents was indeed a masterclass in taking command – and taking care of her parents was THE masterclass in allowing Love to call the shots.

In December of 2024, Doriane’s years as a caregiver came to an end. After taking pause to grieve and be, she is back to kicking butt on camera, stage, and mic – bringing the kind of hell that only an angel could raise. 

What’s now? Brand launch – Vegan SoulFlour: culinary roadmaps for navigating expensive tastes with delicate budgets in this economy. Check out Doriane’s new zine series, EAT THE (plants) RICH (in fiber), exclusively featuring foodbank accessible pantry stapes.