Plays
PLAYWRIGHT'S NOTE: The following plays are available for download here and through my page on the New Play Exchange. They are copyrighted material, the sole owner of which is the author, Daniel Prillaman. If you enjoy them, please feel free to share with whomever you like or leave a recommendation on NPX.
No part of these plays may be performed without written permission from the rights holder(s) and payment of applicable royalties. For performance/royalty rights, please contact me at danielprillaman@gmail.com, through the New Play Exchange, or fill out a contact form here.
Please enjoy.
(Photo: You See Them in the Corners of Your Eyes - ©Madelyn Miessmer, 2022)
When I was in 8th grade, I dated a girl for a week who had convinced me she was a werewolf.
I give my younger self grace and chalk it up to a willingness to suspend my disbelief, but it makes sense in hindsight why I had leaned into the idea. I love horror. I also love folklore and absurdism. I love creepy or abnormal tales of different worlds, be they populated by monsters or mundane existentialism. I’ve related to these stories and learned more from them about humanity and our society compared to any “realistic” drama.
Where realism comes into play for me is in the characters. I thrive on characters reacting realistically to unrealistic situations, and I treat plays and their worldbuilding with rigid logic and earnestness. My work often explores loss in some form, and what happens to those of us left behind. Also: cycles of violence, bureaucracy, identity, hope. I’m trying to eat less meat, but the plays love blood and a well-placed curse (word or hex). They have sharp teeth.
Theatre can be anything. Including your favorite kind of story. It took me a little longer than I liked to learn that, however. So just in case anybody’s out here chasing that magic feeling by dating a werewolf instead of doing theatre, I’m here to tell you, “Do both.”
What play are you looking for today?
Whatever your poison, use these buttons to head straight to a section absolutely chockful of it. Plays are sorted alphabetically, from full-length pieces to shorter.
Click on any play’s title to download it and give it a read.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
Contact me directly for any commission opportunities.
Absurdism
“Realism falls short of reality. It shrinks it, attenuates it, falsifies it; it does not take into account our basic truths and our fundamental obsessions: love, death, astonishment. It presents man in a reduced and estranged perspective. Truth is in our dreams, in the imagination.”
— Eugène Ionesco
You’ll find the traditional-esque faire and inspiration from the greats here. Albee, Beckett, Churchill, Ionesco, Pinter….but some things all their own, too. The worlds in these plays are quite unlike our own practically (or are they?), but the characters and feelings might strike a familiar and relatable chord.
Click on a play’s title to download the script.
altitude
Length: Full-Length Cast: 4
SEMI-HOSTAGE STONER COMEDY ADVENTURE
When their car breaks down and leaves them stranded by the side of the road, Casper and Denton encounter a mysterious girl in a deer mask, a woman who may or may not be a human police officer, and loads of unexpected (and unwanted) free time. At least Denton has weed. A semi-hostage stoner comedy adventure about the things we have control over, the things we don’t, and the difference between the two.
Content Warning: Drug use, excessive fucking language, depiction of panic and anxiety.
Art Duty
Length: Full-Length Cast: 4 to 16
DYSTOPIAN SECURITY GUARD SHENANIGANS
TODAY ONLY! AT ART PLAZA! THE STATE-SANCTIONED ART INSTALLATION AWAITS YOUR EYEBALLS!
Asher and Tobin have Art duty. Guarding the state-sanctioned Art is a job, and somebody’s got to do it. Remember, the Security detail is for the Art’s protection, not yours. Please don’t ask questions or be too annoying. If you make it weird, they’re here to kill you, not themselves.
Morbidly comic, relentless, and absurd, Art Duty’s revolving cast of characters interrogate the purpose of art in a society, its value, and what to do when you meet someone who doesn’t think about killing themself.
Content Warning: Graphic discussion of violence and suicide. Characters point guns at and fire at one another, but resulting violence is depicted offstage.
Bereavement Leave
Length: Full-Length Cast: 5
DARK OFFICE GRIEF COMEDY
When their supervisor commits suicide, Two, Three, and Four struggle to keep their composure while navigating promotions, new hires, and the unique, emotionally arduous nature of their office job, killing the roughly 150000 people who die each day.
Content Warning: Depiction and discussion of suicide, sexual misconduct.
Julia Jennifer Rafferty Won’t Come Down From the Widow’s Walk
Length: Full-Length Cast: 7
MELODRAMATIC KEENING TRAGICOMEDY
I mean, pretty self-explanatory, innit? She’s yearning for her husband to return. Odd thing is, her husband’s BEEN home. For some years at least. So why won’t Julia Jennifer Rafferty come down from the widow’s walk? Is she doing a bit? Or is something dreadfully wrong with her brain? Also, Ichabod really needs to shut up and go away. Sigh.
Content Warning: Violence.
Pit
Length: Full-Length Cast: 3
ABSURD BUDDY IMPRISONMENT COMEDY
Hat and Glasses are being held captive in a pit. It’s their life now. It’s a simple one. One completely upended when their captor dumps a third victim into their space. A story of intrusion, dealing with change, and what to do with your poop when you live in a pit.
Content Warning: False imprisonment, assault, violence, partial nudity.
This Grass Kills People
Length: One-Act Cast: 4
KILLER GRASS FABLE
There's grass. It used to kill people. It still is. Emerson's gonna save people today. She has to.
Assassinating Zeus
Length: Ten Minute Cast: 4
GOOSE THERAPY HORROR
Two patients discuss a unique, goose-related problem with their therapist.
Content Warning: Violence.
The Remarkably Unremarkable Crucifixion of Emma Reynolds
Length: Ten Minute/Monologue Cast: 1
EXPERIMENTAL MAGIC BULLYING
Emma tells us, the audience, about a school assembly that took an unexpected turn.
Folklore & Fantasy
“Folklore is the perfect second skin. From under its hide, we can see all the shimmering, shadowy uncertainties of the world.”
— Jane Yolen
Folklore is what we had before science. Thankfully, it’s still around, because while it no longer tells us why the world is the way it is, it still has everything to teach us about why humans are the way we are.
Click on a play’s title to download the script.
The Ashen Crown
Length: Full-Length Cast: 5
HORROR FANTASY WAR SONG
At the ashen remains of a war-torn city, two queens meet with a rebel terrorist to negotiate terms of a peace treaty. However, their talks are soon interrupted by the appearance of a disquieting stranger, whose words set the women down a dark and frightening path of madness. Part Horror Fantasy, part war song, "The Ashen Crown" is a tale of violence, why we cause it, and what it causes for us.
Content Warning: Graphic violence.
The King’s Plague (Rielle and the Owl Hunter - Part I)
Length: Full-Length Cast: 11 to 14
MEDIEVAL DARK FANTASY ADVENTURE
When an unknown illness places King Aymon upon his deathbed, the Princess Friede embarks on a journey west in search of an apothecary who might hold the knowledge needed to save his life. Along the way, she must enlist the assistance of a woman in the only profession older than nobility, an Owl Hunter, who puts others in their graves in exchange for coin.
Content Warning: Graphic violence, sexual content, false imprisonment.
Lamentations (Rielle and the Owl Hunter - Part II)
Length: Full-Length Cast: 17 to 25
MEDIEVAL DARK FANTASY ADVENTURE
As the King’s health continues to decline, Princess Friede and Mærwynn arrive in Mithun only to find it decimated by plague, the target of their search dead. As they struggle to determine their next course of action, a shocking death reverberates throughout the Capital city, setting off a chain of events that threaten to upheave the throne itself.
Content Warning: Graphic violence, false imprisonment, brief description of sexual assault.
Give Me Your Skin
Length: One-Act Cast: 2
SURREAL POSSESSION ENCOUNTER
In an empty tavern, Roan and Vesper drink and game together. Haunted by dark circumstances, Vesper confesses that she is possessed by some manner of demon. Haunted by Vesper’s words, Roan realizes she is Vesper’s possessor.
Infernalium
Length: One-Act Cast: 4
FIERY SUPERPOWER ROMANTIC JOURNEY
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.
Vignettes for an Idol Beachfront
Length: One-Act Cast: 7
IRREVERENT CLOWN ENSEMBLE MYTHOLOGY
Atalanta (not that one) and Antigone (that one) must determine what should be done when laundry day is interrupted by the appearance of a dead lady, especially after she comes back to life.
Content Warning: Depiction of suicide, violence.
The Apothecary
Length: Ten Minute Cast: 4
POISON FANTASY DRAMA
In a village too small for a name, an apothecary has made a name for herself, selling poison to those with strange tastes and desires. Today, two villagers want her gone. And they will not take no for an answer.
Content Warning: Violence.
The Girl Who Could Talk to Birds
Length: Ten Minute Cast: 2
ANIMAL SIDEKICK ROMANCE
Nora loves Patrick. But, alas, she knows not what to say to win his heart. Thankfully, she is friends with a bird who has some ideas.
Horror
“We make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones.”
— Stephen King
Horror is that only sweet, bloody genre that we purposefully seek out in order to have negative experiences. Why? They’re fun as hell. But more importantly, they help us face these feelings and confront the darkest, hardest questions in a safe place.
Click on a play’s title to download the script.
In the Slush
Finalist - Princess Grace Award, New Dramatists, 2023
Length: Full-Length Cast: 4
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.
PUBLISHED LINK - GHOST LIGHT PUBLICATIONS
*In the Slush is published with Ghost Light Publications, who have graciously allowed free access to the script for perusal purposes through www.danielprillaman.com and the New Play Exchange. For performance/royalty rights, send inquiries to info@ghostlightpubs.com or visit their licensing page: License Request – Ghost Light Publications (ghostlightpubs.com)
For a Limited Time Only (The Bread Play)
Length: One-Act Cast: 3
ROMANTIC HORROR BREAD COMEDY
After getting the unlimited bread deal at the Italian Garden Factory, Arlo and Val are both stuffed and ready for the check. But their server doesn’t bring them their check. They bring them more bread. They keep...bringing them more bread. They won’t stop. They won’t ever stop. The bread is unlimited. And there is no escape. A romantic horror comedy about the hard truth that nothing lasts forever, except maybe bread.
Content Warning: Sexual content, violence.
Kudzu
Length: One-Act Cast: 3
CHILDREN'S CAMP CONTAGION
It’s lights out. But one fire remains lit, as three counselors sneak some alcohol in effort to loosen up. Finn, Libby, and Parker are deeply shaken by some of the campers recent and disturbing behavior. There’s something wrong with the kids.
And it’s spreading.
Pink Moscato
Length: One-Act Cast: 2
CONTEMPORARY POE ADAPTATION
Monty legit, honest to God, has a vending machine full of Pink Moscato in his basement. Fortune wants to see it. Monty will show her. Monty will show her a lot more than that. Because his revenge is going to go perfectly. A contemporary re-imagining of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado.
Content Warning: Assault, false imprisonment with intent to murder, violence.
You See Them in the Corners of Your Eyes
Length: One-Act Cast: 2
SPOOKY STORIES WOODS TWO-HANDER
Every year, Max and Charlie meet at an old well in an old forest clearing to tell scary stories, eat S'mores, and just hang out. This year will be like every year. Or will it?
Content Warning: Drug use.
Barbarian
Length: Ten Minute Cast: 3
VIKING VAMPIRE FAITH CLASH
In 798 A.D., a young boy encounters a fearsome Viking invader, fangs and all.
Content Warning: Graphic violence.
The Get-Together
Length: Ten Minute Cast: 2
SURREAL PARTY HORROR
Lora and Cassidy are at the party. They do not want to be at the party. Everyone else wants them to be at the party.
Content Warning: Violence.
Heartburn
Length: Ten Minute Cast: 3
TERRIFYING DOCTOR VISIT
A patient goes to the doctor for chest pain. It's nothing major. Right?
Right?
Octavia
Length: Ten Minute Cast: 2
GRAVE TEEN THRILLER
In the middle of the forest, Harriet digs a fairly large hole. Audrey doesn't help. But they both talk about why.
Water Damage
Length: Ten Minute Cast: 2
SUPERNATURAL INVESTIGATION HORROR
A clairvoyant helps a troubled man determine the exact nature of his recent supernatural experiences.
Content Warning: Domestic violence/abuse (auditory).
PUBLISHED LINK - THE BEST TEN-MINUTE PLAYS 2023 (SMITH & KRAUS)
Everything Else
“Someone yelled at me once, 'You never write about yourself.' People used to get so mad at me for that. But my definition of myself is completely up for grabs. I'm everywhere, just like we all are.”
— Suzan-Lori Parks
And what are these lonesome plays? Whose only commonality is that they share none with others?
They’re mostly comedies.
Click on a play’s title to download the script.
The Bad Shepherd
Length: Full-Length Cast: 7
DYSFUNCTIONAL INTERVENTION FAMILY COMEDY
Petey Shepard has a problem. Now, sneaking out in the middle of the night to shave the wool off other people’s sheep is a mostly harmless problem. But it needs to stop. And it will, because early this morning, the rest of the family has gathered for an intervention, and it will either go well, or tear apart the fabric holding them all together. A weirder living room comedy about our vices, our faiths, and our families, and the fact we only get to choose some of these things.
A Pirate Carol
Length: One-Act Cast: 24–35 TYA
HOLIDAY FRIENDSHIP DICKENS PARODY
In a swashbuckling homage to the classic Dickens tale, the nicest pirate in the world must be taught the error of her friendly ways by the ghost of her former, mean-spirited first mate. (Appro-"pirate" for all ages).
Death Wears a Costume
Length: One-Act Cast: 10 TYA
HALLOWEEN MURDER MYSTERY PARTY
When a group of junior high students find a dead body at their Literary Detective Club’s Halloween party, they must solve the mystery of how it got there, and if one of their own was responsible.
Focus: A Zoom Play
Length: One-Act Cast: 6
ABSURD ENSEMBLE ZOOM COMEDY
Two eccentric Petras employees lead a focus group over Zoom to test out the company’s new product. It does not go to plan.
Or does it? A comedy about the things we'll do for some extra cash.
The Collected Adventures of Terrence & Ling-Ling
TALKING ANIMAL BUDDY COMEDIES
Contains the TEN MINUTE PLAYS:
1.) BLACK, WHITE, & RED ALL OVER: April, 2020. A penguin and a panda meet each other (and the other’s respective species) for the first time.
2.) FIELD TRIP: June, 2020. On an excursion to the museum, Terrence encounters a familiar face.
3.) LADY AND THE RACCOON: July, 2020. Ling-Ling arranges a way for the nervous Terrence to practice for his upcoming date with Millie. Unfortunately, Millie's stand-in doesn't not make things weird.
How to Talk to Your Child (About Less Conventional Topics)
INTERRUPTED AWKWARD FAMILY COMEDIES
Contains the TEN MINUTE PLAYS:
1.) HOW TO TALK TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT SATAN: If someone interrupts your Satanic ritual, it's always hard to explain yourself to them. It's even harder when the person is your six-year-old daughter. A comedy about being yourself and the surprising number of ways to hail Satan.
2.) HOW TO TALK TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT BDSM: If someone interrupts your bondage session, it's always hard to explain yourself to them. It's even harder when the person is your ten-year-old son. A comedy about honesty, sex, and the surprising number of ways to have them.
3.) HOW TO TALK TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT PSYCHEDELICS: If someone interrupts your trip, it's always hard to explain yourself to them. It's even harder when the person is your sixteen-year-old daughter. A comedy about unwinding, drugs, and the surprising number of ways to use them.
I Don’t DO Holidays
Length: Ten Minute Cast: 3
HOLIDAY ROMANTIC COMEDY
It is time for the Community Sacrifice of Midsummer Solstice Harvest. There's just one problem. Veruth does not enjoy the Community Sacrifice of Midsummer Solstice Harvest. Veruth does not enjoy Midsummer Solstice Harvest! How will this truth affect her companionship with Piotr?
Content Warning: Violence
This Performance May Be Cancelled Due to Illness
Length: Ten Minute Cast: 2
COVID-19 PERFORMANCE ANXIETY
Sick and Less Sick await the result of a COVID-19 rapid test. Will the show go on? Or down? And does the test actually make that difference?