“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.
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.
FEATURED PLAY
Infernalium
FIERY SUPERPOWER ROMANTIC JOURNEY
ONE-ACT: After discovering she is impervious to fire, Helena must now determine what to do with the atypical information. College is hard. Having a crush is harder. Thankfully, Flame and Fire are here to help.
HELENA (Removing her head from the fire)
I’M UNFLAMMABLE!!
FLAME
The word she’s looking for is nonflammable.
HELENA
Yeah!! Oh my god, I feel on fire. Like on the inside. What the hell do I do? Am I dreaming? Can anything hurt me?
(HELENA catches sight of her hand and stares at it. She slowly raises it up…and slaps herself in the face.)
HELENA (That hurt)
… OW!
FIRE
Yes. It is just fire.
Upcoming Productions
May 2nd-3rd, 2025
Pit @ Armory Free Theatre (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)
The Bread Play @ Hamilton College
May 10th, 2025
You See Them in the Corners of Your Eyes @ Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
You See Them in the Corners of Your Eyes @ St. Olaf College
June 5th-15th, 2025
The Bread Play @ Here’s the Exit Theatre Co.
Published Works
In the Slush
This full-length cosmic horror has found its home with Ghost Light Publications. The World Premiere is coming to Augusta, GA in July @ Le Chat Noir
Water Damage
Included in this terrific collection of ten minute plays is “Water Damage,” wherein a clairvoyant pays a visit to a haunted apartment.
Stray thoughts of theatre, horror, and other monstrosities
Blog - Living Dead Playwright
In which I attempt to explain myself…