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.

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.

Full-Length

altitude

CAST: 4 (1M, 1M/Non-Binary, 1F, 1F/Non-Binary)

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.

Art Duty

CAST: 4 to 16 Any Gender

DYSTOPIAN SECURITY GUARD SHENANIGANS

TODAY ONLY! AT ART PLAZA! THE STATE-APPROVED ART IS WAITING FOR YOU TO VIEW IT WITH YOUR EYEBALLS! Please don't ask questions or bother the Security. They are just doing their job. Remember, if you make it weird, they're here to kill you, not themselves.

Content Warning: Graphic discussion of violence and suicide. Characters point guns at and fire at one another, but resulting violence is depicted offstage.

The Ashen Crown

CAST: 5 (1M, 4F)

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 Bad Shepherd

CAST: 7 (2M, 1M/Non-Binary, 2F, 1F/Non-Binary, 1 Any Gender)

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.

Bereavement Leave

CAST: 5 (2M, 2F, 1 Any Gender)

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.

Fever Dream

CAST: 5 (2M, 3F, 3 voice-over)

QUARANTINE CINEMA PLAGUE HORROR

After the sudden death of her roommate to a mysterious virus, an

English Major finds herself in quarantine, which slowly takes a disturbing, increasingly surreal toll on her mental health. Or perhaps she’s just dealing with grief in a completely normal way.

Content Warning: Sexual content, violence.

PLAYWRIGHT’S NOTE:
The draft of this play was written in 2016, about four years before the Coronavirus pandemic reached the US. Quite literally, it has become a pre-Quarantine quarantine play. It has become a piece of a different time, when I was a different playwright and different person.

I’ve thought often about this script over the past years, and must

honestly say I don’t exactly know what this play is anymore, or where its existence stands in a world forever altered by COVID. I offer it here to share with any who may be interested in checking it out, in its current form or whatever it may become. If you have any thoughts, I would love to hear them.

In the Slush

CAST: 4 (2M, 2F)

COSMIC HORROR IDENTITY THRILLER

While reading through her publishing house's slush pile, a pregnant and newlywed editorial assistant encounters a mysterious manuscript that claims she isn't human. That her baby is the Second Coming of an ancient darkness that wishes to devour the world. She is its vessel. It has to be some sort of joke. ...But what if it's not?

A Cosmic Horror about ambition, creation, and the things we'll do to realize our dreams.

Rielle and the Owl Hunter
(The King's Plague - Part I)

CAST: 11 (6M, 5F)

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.

One-Act

A Pirate Carol

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

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

CAST: 6 (3M/Non-Binary, 3F/Non-Binary)

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.

For a Limited Time Only

CAST: 3 (1M, 1F, 1 Any Gender)

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.

This Grass Kills People

CAST: 4 (1M, 2F, 1 Any Gender)
KILLER GRASS FABLE

Emerson's gonna save people today. She has to.

Vignettes for an Idol Beachfront

CAST: 7 (1M, 1M/Non-Binary, 3F, 2 Any Gender)

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.

You See Them in the Corners of Your Eyes

CAST: 2 Any Gender

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.

Ten Minute

The Apothecary

CAST: 4 (2M, 1F, 1F/Non-Binary)

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.

Assassinating Zeus

CAST: 4 (2M, 2F)

GOOSE THERAPY HORROR

Two patients discuss a unique, goose-related problem with their therapist.

Content Warning: Violence.

Barbarian

CAST: 3 (2M, 1F)

VIKING VAMPIRE FAITH CLASH

In 798 A.D., a young boy encounters a fearsome Viking invader, fangs and all.

Content Warning: Graphic violence.

Black, White, & Red All Over

CAST: 3 Any Gender

PANDEMIC ZOO ANIMAL BANTER

[A Terrence & Ling-Ling Adventure]

April, 2020. A penguin and a panda meet each other (and the other’s respective species) for the first time.

The Comfort Zone

CAST: 4 (2M, 1F, 1 Any Gender)

BAR SWINGERS CRINGE COMEDY

[Set in Gaelen and Ashleigh's Universe]
Michael has been having an off year or five. Nox suggests maybe he should just try saying "yes" more. But what happens when it's Gaelen and Ashleigh making the request?

Content Warning: Graphic violence, sexual content.

Field Trip

CAST: 4 Any Gender

ANIMAL MUSEUM ESPIONAGE

[A Terrence & Ling-Ling Adventure]

June, 2020. On an excursion to the museum, Terrence encounters a familiar face.

The Furniture Store

CAST: 4 (2M, 2F)

ABSURD RETAIL SATIRE

Please come in. We are open.

Content Warning: Violence.

The Get-Together

CAST: 2F

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.

The Girl Who Could Talk to Birds

CAST: 1M, 1W

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.

How to Talk to Your Child About BDSM

CAST: 3 (2M, 1F)

INTERRUPTED BONDAGE FAMILY COMEDY

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.

Content Warning: Strong sexual content.

How to Talk to Your Child About Psychedelics

CAST: 3 (1M, 2F)

INTERRUPTED DRUG TRIP FAMILY COMEDY

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.

Content Warning: Drug use.

How to Talk to Your Child About Satan

CAST: 4F

INTERRUPTED SATANISM FAMILY COMEDY

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.

I'm Gonna Need You to Log off For Me

CAST: 4 (1M, 1F, 1F/Non-Binary, 1 Any Gender)

AI ARTIST COMEDY

Moxi's seeking representation as an artist. Only problem? She's an AI, and her portfolio isn't exactly the most original artwork in the world. It's pretty stolen, actually.

The Unanticipated Betrayal of the Ongoing "Audition"-esque Situation in Kenny's Man Cave

CAST: 3 (2M, 1F)

ROMANTIC TORTURE COMEDY

[Set in Gaelen and Ashleigh's Universe]

Ashleigh is "Audition"-ing Kenny in his own man cave. Only problem is that she and Gaelen had planned to do the activity together, so what happens when Gaelen catches her in the act?

Content Warning: Graphic violence, inferable spoilers for Takashi Miike's 1999 film, "Audition."

Water Damage

CAST: 2 (1M, 1F)

SUPERNATURAL INVESTIGATION HORROR

A clairvoyant helps a troubled man determine the exact nature of his recent supernatural experiences.

Content Warning: Domestic violence/abuse (auditory).

Shorts

Ashleigh Says Out Loud the Thing She

Meant to Say in Her Head

CAST: 2F

SUBURBAN PARTY PREP WHOOPS

[Set in Gaelen and Ashleigh's Universe]
ONE MINUTE: Ashleigh and Diana are prepping for a fire pit get-together in the backyard. Then Ashleigh says out loud the thing she meant to say in her head.

Content Warning: Graphic violence.