About Us
“So, are you working hard or hardly working?” Who hasn’t been asked that question when running into an old friend or fussing with multiple projects? Most of us would tend to shy away from answering, “hardly working,” but those in the theatre are not like most, are they? Hardly Working Productions is built around the notion that when you are doing something you love, it is not work. Our production company is dedicated to putting up fun, unique, and intriguing shows. Our productions range from stage plays that have been produced before, to brand new pieces of performance art, musicals, dance, and everything in between. Whether you are interested in being of our actors, or if you have written a show you would like to see onstage, or if you know of a show you want to see us produce, or if you are a patron of the arts looking for quality entertainment, Hardly Working Productions has something for you. See you on stage!
“So, are you working hard or hardly working?” Who hasn’t been asked that question when running into an old friend or fussing with multiple projects? Most of us would tend to shy away from answering, “hardly working,” but those in the theatre are not like most, are they? Hardly Working Productions is built around the notion that when you are doing something you love, it is not work. Our production company is dedicated to putting up fun, unique, and intriguing shows. Our productions range from stage plays that have been produced before, to brand new pieces of performance art, musicals, dance, and everything in between. Whether you are interested in being of our actors, or if you have written a show you would like to see onstage, or if you know of a show you want to see us produce, or if you are a patron of the arts looking for quality entertainment, Hardly Working Productions has something for you. See you on stage!
Do you want to join the movement?
Check out the following links for ideas on how you can help.
Giving Back
Take Action
Hardly Working Promotions is a big believer in the anti-bullying movement. As our company grows and progresses, we intend to extend invitations to our shows to schools and young adult groups and also offer skits and talks about the fight against bullying and what all of us can do to help.
Giving Back Projects
HWP is privileged to work with so many diverse and talented organizations.
Please take some time to check out some of the fantastic Giving Back projects we have been involved with.
Our Creative Director/Founder
“I believe the most important aspect of theater is telling a story, serious or silly or everything in between, with reverence, sincerity, and with the goal of sharing joy.”
Deena M P Ronayne, born Deena Mary Patsourakos, [She/Her] is an American playwright and the founding member of the marketing & theatrical hybrid firm, Hardly Working Promotions LLC. Born and raised in Chelmsford, MA by a Big Fat Greek Family in the 80’s and 90’s, Deena knew from an early age the power of performance. She shared her knowledge by re-enacting Blanche DuBois’ final monologue from Tennessee Williams’ Streetcar Named Desire at family functions and creating the imaginary band Kick Me & Don’t Think Twice all before the age of four. While her early years included a love of the stage and her early adulthood included work as both a model and a dancer, Deena spent 12 years gaining experience in public relations, customer service, and project management. In 2018, she combined her two passions with the launch of Hardly Working Promotions and has since produced several award winning shows and launched the grand openings for a wide variety of businesses. Deena believes that modesty and quiet example are key components of leadership, her leadership style can best be described as “flexibility with accountability,” and both her life and professional motto is “embrace your extraordinary gifts and relinquish an ordinary life.” She is an avid proponent of the anti-bullying movement and inclusion/representation in the arts. Deena has been modeling both in the U.S. and abroad since she was 13. She competed in the Miss Teen Massachusetts pageant and throughout her career has posed in New York, The Bahamas, Israel, Berlin, and The French Riviera as her international portfolio continues to grow. Deena is also an avid ballroom and swing dancer. Deena studied at Rollins College, The Leadershape Retreat of Allerton Estates, American University, and The University of Central Florida. Deena’s Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice, and extensive studies in leadership have also shaped the person she is today. Her stage work with Orlando theatre companies such as Theatre Downtown, Playwrights Round Table, and her involvement with The Fringe Festival were the personal game-changers that lead to the launch of Hardly Working Promotions. She currently resides in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
Our Founder
“Apparently this was all my idea…”
“Apparently this was all my idea…”
Born and raised in Chelmsford, MA by a Big Fat Greek Family in the 80’s and 90’s, Deena knew from an early age the power of performance. She shared her knowledge by re-enacting Blanche DuBois’ final monologue from Tennessee Williams’ Streetcar Named Desire at family functions and creating the imaginary band Kick Me & Don’t Think Twice all before the age of four. Though her relationship with the stage was touch and go during her teens and early twenties, Deena has been modeling both in the U.S. and abroad since she was 13. She competed in the Miss Teen Massachusetts pageant and throughout her career has posed in New York, The Bahamas, and Israel. Deena also became an avid ballroom and swing dancer during that time. Deena’s Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice, and career in marketing have also shaped the person she is today. Her stage work with Orlando theatre companies such as Theatre Downtown, Playwrights Round Table, and her involvement with The Fringe Festival were the personal game-changers that lead to the launch of Hardly Working Promotions.
Giving Back
Take Action
Hardly Working Promotions is a big believer in the anti-bullying movement. As our company grows and progresses, we intend to extend invitations to our shows to schools and young adult groups and also offer skits and talks about the fight against bullying and what all of us can do to help.
Awards
Awards
See What Everyone Is Saying!
Their level of professionalism, their creative vision and business excellence is hard to compete with. Their finished product is always superior! Bravo Deena, wishing you continued success!
~ Gloria Criscuolo Sicoli, Actor, Orlando FL
I love working with HWP!
I have worked with Deena on many occasion. As a model, an actress or a producer, Deena is professional, detail oriented and understands visual communication. She is always pleasant to work with. I would highly recommend working with HWP!
Holy S#!T, Orlando Friends, if you can, go see Shakespeare’s Terminator the Second at 2019 Orlando Fringe! It was worth every single penny of admission!
~ Edward Carpenter, Patron, Orlando Fringe Festival, Orlando, FL
I just watched Triple Bypass by Deena Ronayne. It was so nice to see theatre again! And some of them deal with serious issues that raise awareness of these problems in our society.There are three plays in this performance. Seeking Dignity involves the issue of pedophilia. A girl who had lived next door to a pedophile as a child has tracked him down and confronts him about his crimes. It is absolutely chilling! Kudos to the author and the actors for taking on this difficult subject. In the second play, Close to Black, two singers meet outside a club. It turns out they are both dead. They bond and become friends. Later, we find out they are famous singers who left the world too soon because of addictions. It’s very touching and I highly recommend it, The third play, Tango-ed Web, is a comedy set in the insect world. A bee and a spider discuss their love lives. Then the black widow spider comes and flirts with the male spider. He falls for her and she eats him. Absolutely hilarious!~Prudence Wright Holmes, Actor/Writer, Agatha is Missing, New York, New York
I have LOVED working with HWP on more than one occasion and I can’t recommend them highly enough. They’re organized, professional, and creative!! Also, it helps that Deena is a delight to work with! HWP ranks as one of the very best production companies I’ve ever worked with in my fairly long involvement in professional and community theatre!!
~ Scott Browning, Actor/Director/Writer (Howler’s Theatre), Orlando FL
I was honored to be asked to do a guest role in Shakespeares Terminator .
Great , hard working talented people.~ Sarah Lee Dobbs, Singer/Actor, Orlando FL
It’s not often I find producers who will not only commission original musical material from me, but also pay me for it! I wear at least half a dozen creative hats, so I appreciate those who can recognize what I have to offer and make entertaining use of it.
“Although rather simple, Triple Bypass: Three Ten Minute Plays About Living for Death & Dying for Life is a genuine reflection on loss, death and fear that makes the audience think and feel.”
~Stephanie Lee, Theatre Critic, Theatre Travels, Melbourne, AU
In the mere two years I’ve worked with Hardly Working I’ve been able to join my twin passions for theater and geekery by taking part in Shakespeare’s Ghostbusters and Terminator The Second, and during the course of those experiences we’ve toured to Atlanta and did encore performances in Ocala for Halloween. With experiences like that how could I not wanna work with them again?
~ John Reid Adams, Actor/Writer-Narcotic Casserole Productions, Orlando FL
Triple Bypass is an excellent piece of theatre, excellently directed, written, and performed by a talented team. Despite the fact it’s three short plays it flows together cohesively and the themes are explored well within the plays. Working with Deena virtually has also been a joy. She’s professional, kind, enthusiastic, and responds to e-mails/texts in a timely fashion-which is an asset in the arts. Deena’s a wonderful artist and I hope to be able to work with her in person at some point in the future.
~ Benjamin Maio Mackay, Publicist, Adelaide Fringe Festival, Adelaide, Australia
I have worked with Deena from @HWP for years and am amazed at her work. Her productions are top notch. I am so glad to have covered her Orlando Florida shows. She never ceases to amaze me. Kudos to her and her team.
I was hired to photograph an event for HWP and had such a highly enjoyable experience. I would certainly work with Deena again in the future!
~ Sam Pierre, Photographer, Oceanside Dragon Photography, Orlando FL
I have worked with HWP on multiple projects, from theatrical productions to fundraising efforts to promotion and marketing for my family’s dream business. And for all of them, Deena’s enthusiasm, professionalism and dedication have been nothing short of world class.
Her marketing actions and connections for artistic events are substantial,.organic and eye catching. Our two Orlando Fringe productions have resulted in multiple sellouts, a collection of patrons awards, two Best of the Fest nominations, and two Critics Choice Awards. And much of that was based on her marketing and promotional work.
For a fundraising event, she leveraged her connections to organize multiple outside vendors and donations for raffles to make the event a success.
And now, as my family has poured our life savings into opening our dream business in a retail location, she has been nothing short of amazing, on everything from marketing to fundraising to execution of a detailed plan that got us to opening.
She is, quite simply, a wonderfully professional, creative and engaging person who also has a kind and empathic soul.
You could simply not go wrong hiring her. Period.~ David Strauss, Owner-The Kitty Beautiful Cat Cafe, Orlando FL
Shakespeare’s Reservoir Dogs is the best such high-concept film parody I’ve seen at Fringe in years, because it understands and respects the source material without being afraid to tweak it. Lend this talented crew your ears…just don’t expect to get both of them back.
Deena was amazingly helpful with a benefit I put on in Orlando (for the Australian Bushfires)! She not only performed but helped immensely with promotion and HWP also offered to match the first $500 raised! I was overwhelmed by this generosity and the benefit was a huge success!! Thanks you!!
I had a wonderful experience freelancing for HWP as an illustrator and love Deena’s creativity and genuine enthusiasm for elevating and collaborating with other artists. She truly has a passion for her craft and was a joy to work with! I also love following HWP on social media since they are always working on such cool projects (and documenting Deena’s very entertaining travel adventures)!
Utilized Deena for a marketing project for a conference. She was always on top of communications and responses to feedback.
“[Triple Bypass] A dark yet strangely optimistic series giving you countless reasons to live!”
~Ruth J West, Theatre Critic, The Arts Business, Edinburgh, Scotland
I loved loved loved working with HWP. Actually, the name says it all, it was so easy to work with Deena, it hardly felt like work at all. She is such a great communicator, an experienced model, and so comfortable to be around. I would highly recommend working with her!
~ Ashley McKibben, Photographer (Nola Darlings Photography), New Orleans LA
I just finished watching Triple Bypass! Seeking Dignity was my favorite, that one seemed to really shine as a stage play. I loved the concept behind Close to Black with dead artists meeting outside their version of heaven’s gate, that one really stood out to me. Tango-ed Web was also really cute. I loved the bug innuendos lol!
~Jake Haire, Patron/Studio Eriah, Film Student Ohio University
So much fun! The shows she produces have been hilarious, and her cast and crew always seem like they’re having the time of their lives. I would run, not walk to get a chance to work with her.
~ Tim Motley, Writer/Actor (Dirk Darrow Investigates), Australia
“Shakespeare’s Aliens” written with a light touch and even a few poetic moments by David Strauss.”
HWP took really great care of me when I stage managed Shakespeare’s Terminator II at Orlando and Atlanta Fringe Festivals. I felt supported as an artist and appreciated for my work and effort.
~ Carla Elhers, Actor/Stage Manager, Orlando FL
You will not find many who are as dedicated to producing quality work as this. Deena is very driven and focused. Very easy to work with and for. I was very fortunate to be a performer in Shakespeare’s Ghostbusters for this company. From small details to big picture, you get the whole deal with this company.
“This show was incredibly unique and so much fun! Until watching Shakespeare’s Aliens, I was unfamiliar with Hardly Working Promotions or their series of pop culture adaptations. The mixture of terrifying creatures, science fiction setting and beautiful prose was a great combination for modern theater fans who also enjoy a bit of nerdy fandom.”
We knew we were probably gonna like Shakespeare’s Terminator the Second, but y’all, we were not prepared. It got us RIGHT in our nerdy hearts, and it turns out T2 staged with Shakespearean dialogue is all we ever wanted.
~ Chris Alonzo, Marketing Manager-Atlanta Fringe Festival, Atlanta, GA
Deena’s excellent communication and amazingly always positive attitude is fantastic. It’s always a joy and a pleasure to work with someone with such a great outlook!
Triple Bypass is a great show of three short plays where writer Deena MP Ronayne plays with a single scenario: living, dying and how both ying-yang together. Linked by poems, and covering drama to comedy, this is how to use every moment of stage time available without dragging out the stories for the sake of it (yes, streaming services, we are looking this lesson towards you).
Deena at HWP is so creative and helpful. Since she has been working with us, she has brought ideas to us that we had never considered. When I have questions or want to run something by her, I message her, and she returns my call or message very promptly. I always feel like she truly has our best interest in mind when helping us plan an event or advertising. Our decision to work with her has been one of our best ideas, and I cannot thank her enough for all of her help. As a new small business owner, I have learned alot from Deena, and I look forward to continuing to work with her!
The Coincidence Men were impressed and honored with the care and love Deena and HWP brought to their interpretation of our original adaptation of ‘Shakespeare’s Ghostbusters’ production. They were also prompt with getting back to us about licensing agreements, enthusiastic about giving us regular feedback about the fun they were having with the pre-production, and of course, honest about honouring the royalty agreement and prompt with payment and honest about their books – we wouldn’t hesitate to work with and recommend Deena and her company to anyone.
~ Marcel St. Pierre, Actor/Writer-The Coincidence Men, Toronto CA
[Shakespeare’s Reservoir Dogs] is a good time
The actors are seasoned pros who make the most of the thee’s and thou’s
It’s easily the best effort yet from director David Struass and producer Deena Ronayne
I worked with HWP as an actor in Boston. It was so great to work with a company that fairly compensates its performers and respects its artists. It was a very good experience overall and I hope that Hardly Working comes back to Boston soon!
~ Alice Corvo, Actor, Boston, MA
Really enjoyed the shows that I’ve seen. Would definitely go see more.
“Science fiction fans who know their Xenomorphs from ‘Zounds will want to catch this one [Shakespeare’s Aliens] before ‘this game hath ended.’ “
Deena is an AMAZING promoter and producer and does SO much to give back to the community! I’ve been able to work with her on several shows and benefits, and the work is always high quality and WAY more fun for having her there!
~ Cindy Sherden, OCPS Educator/Theatrical Director, Orlando FL
Always a blast to work with and collaborate with the fun folks at Hardly Working Productions. Whether you’re with them for a while or just dropping in to do a guest spot, it’s always a welcoming atmosphere with this company!
Deena Ronayne is a highly skilled, educated and valued professional in this industry. Her experience and strong work ethic have helped shape and build our practice. Deena personally helped facilitate the marketing and personal relations of our practice at the time when we were just starting to open our doors. Her expertise has proven an asset to our practice, without which we may not have as effectively launched our marketing department, although her skills are broadened far beyond just marketing. We truly consider her contribution to our practice invaluable.
I am confident Deena will be successful in an project she undertakes. She has my highest recommendation.
Hardly Working is always wholly dedicated to its clients and does fantastic work. They’re the people you want to work with if you want your project done on time and done right.
I had the privilege of hearing Deena Ronayne speak at our Fall Shakespeare Club Dinner. What a treat! Deena is passionate, articulate, professional and, importantly, inspiring. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an energetic guest speaker to deliver a polished talk that will stay with you.
Featured Artists
HWP is privileged to work with so many diverse and talented photographers and artists.
Please take some time to check out all the fantastic individuals below.
