“Prillaman is one of the most interesting, unique playwrights I’ve found on NPX. His ability to serve up absurdity and surrealism seems effortless, seamlessly mixing the extraordinary and the mundane…If American theatre wants to be relevant, they should produce plays like this.”

Daniel Prillaman

Daniel (he/they) is a neurodivergent writer/actor/ginger currently based out of Northern Ohio.

Daniel Prillaman sitting in a chair at home with their almost-all-white Calico cat, Zamboni. He's wearing his headphones around his neck.

He has a special fondness for absurdism, folklore, and horror, but ultimately loves plays about honest people (or talking animals) in situations he hasn't seen before. When not gleefully giving their soul to artistic endeavors and projects, they legitimately enjoy long walks on the beach, video games with local co-op, and biscuits.

Most recently, he has been seen as a company member (portraying Sir Francis Drake) of Sterling Renaissance Festival’s Wyldewood Players. His full-length plays include altitude, Bereavement Leave, and Pit, a part of the ’24-25 season of the Inkwell Theater’s Development LAB. Their cosmic horror, In the Slush, was a Finalist for the 2023 Princess Grace Award and is published with Ghost Light Publications. Their one-acts, For a Limited Time Only (The Bread Play) and You See Them in the Corners of Your Eyes, have been produced at colleges and schools throughout the US.

Daniel is an alumnus of the University of Virginia and a proud member of the Dramatists Guild.

Plays

FEATURED PLAY

In the Slush

Missed the World Premiere production via Gather by the Ghost Light?

Well…they filmed it. Check it out right here. For free.

COSMIC HORROR IDENTITY THRILLER

Newlywed Laura Beth Gardner has it all. A loving husband, a baby on the way, and a usually delightful job. But this weekend, tasked with reading through her publishing house’s slush pile, she encounters a mysterious manuscript that claims she isn’t human. That her husband isn’t who he says he is. And that she’s a vessel for her unborn child, who is actually the Second Coming of an ancient darkness that will devour the world. It has to be some sort of joke. …But what if it’s not?

A cosmic horror about identity, creation, and things we’ll do to realize our dreams.

(And if you dig it, give ‘em a follow or buy them a coffee for making theatre this accessible)

Upcoming Productions

September 26th - October 5th, 2025

Poster Art by Richard Wellington Lewis

After a merry reading as a part of their DotPDF Series last year, Art Duty is receiving a fully staged production down in Miami @ LakehouseRanchDotPNG!

And More Coming Soon!

Here’s a hint.

There’s bread involved.

Published Works

In the Slush

This full-length has found its home with Ghost Light Publications. A cosmic horror about identity, creation, and things we’ll do to realize our dreams.

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