Jinshin Jiko
Synopsis: Morgan, an American businesswoman, has an important presentation to deliver to her colleagues in Japan. When the Tokyo train she is riding stalls due to a "Jinshin Jiko" (human accident; a euphemism for a train suicide), Morgan is desperate to reach her destination in time. But the train isn't moving -- and the quiet Japanese woman in the seat next to her is starting to act very strange...
Genre: Drama/thriller
Running time: 15-20 minutes (one-act version), or 10 minutes
Cast: 3 men, 3 women (one-act version), or 2 men, 2 women (10 minute version)
Notes: This play was a finalist in the 2012 KCACTF Region VIII one-act competition, and received a concert reading February 9, 2012, at Weber State University in Ogden, UT. A ten-minute version of the same play will be produced as part of Source Festival in Washington DC, June 8 - July 1, 2012.
One Last Night Stand
Synopsis: On the night of the 2012 solstice, Matt attempts to get women to sleep with him by convincing them the Mayan apocalypse is imminent. But Dorcie, the geeky bartender, sees right through his ruse.
Genre: Comedy
Running time: 10 minutes
Cast: 1 man, 4 women
Notes: Produced as part of Wily West and the Playwright Center of San Francisco's annual Sheherezade Festival, May 11-26, 2012.
No Dogs Go to Heaven
Synopsis: Inspired by radio evangelist Harold Camping, who infamously predicted that the Rapture would occur on May 21, 2011, and several atheist groups who facetiously offered pet-care services for the animals to be left behind. In this short comedy, Adam, an atheist entrepreneur, attempts to do business with Rachel, a Camping devotee and dog lover -- but Rachel demands a money-back guarantee before she'll sign the check.
Genre: Comedy
Running time: 10 minutes
Cast: 1 man, 1 woman
Notes: Produced as part of Pear Avenue Theatre's annual Pear Slices Festival, May 11 - June 3, 2012, in Mountain View, CA.
Pere-Lachaise
Genre: Drama
Running time: 10-15 mins
Cast: 1 man, 1 woman
Notes: This was my first ten-minute play, inspired by a trip I took to Pere-Lachaise cemetery in Paris in 2008. I later used the symbolism of the "downturned torch" in my full-length play The Widow of Sisyphus. It has had staged readings at the Alliance of Los Angeles Playwrights' "Drama-Mia" festival in October 2010 and at the University of California, Riverside in May 2009. It was also a semi-finalist in Lakeshore Players' 2010 ten-minute play contest.
Support Group for the Mortally Challenged
Synopsis: The not-too-distant future. Danny, caught abusing illegal elixirs in an unsuccessful attempt to prolong his life, is forced to attend a therapy group for fellow users -- people caught in various stages between life and death. Desperate to escape the group and resume his quest for immortality, can Danny be persuaded to come to terms with death?
Genre: Dark comedy
Running time: 10-15 mins
Cast: 3 men, 2 women
Notes: Another short play about the human relationship with death -- but from a more humorous perspective. After a staged reading at UC Riverside in May 2010, it was produced as part of Shelterbelt Theatre's "Skeltershelter XV" festival in Omaha, Nebraska, October 7-31, 2010.
Notes: Another short play about the human relationship with death -- but from a more humorous perspective. After a staged reading at UC Riverside in May 2010, it was produced as part of Shelterbelt Theatre's "Skeltershelter XV" festival in Omaha, Nebraska, October 7-31, 2010.
Synopsis: When Pat, a young woman obsessed with ancient history, finds herself irresistibly attracted to the 3,000-year-old mummy of Amenhotep II, it's up to the museum's security guard to talk some sense into her.
Genre: Dark comedy
Running time: 7-10 mins
Cast: 1 man, 1 womanNotes: Originally written for a play festival about "sex and death," this is an utterly ridiculous play about -- yes -- necrophilia. It was produced as part of PianoFight Theatre's "Quickies" festival in San Francisco, October 14-28, 2010.
Paul der Krake
Synopsis: A short comedy about Paul, the famous "psychic" octopus who gained fame for correctly predicting the winner of the 2010 World Cup games. Fritz, Paul's devoted caretaker, must defend his charge against Karl, a man determined to kill the cephalopod for existential reasons.
Genre: Comedy
Running time: 10-15 mins
Cast: 3 men (1 nonspeaking role)Notes: Written for the Playwrights' Center of San Francisco's annual Sheherezade festival, whose theme is "the year in review." It was performed from March 18-April 9, 2011. I got to make an octopus costume.
The Perfect Cup
Synopsis: A couple miscommunicate over coffee during a blind date. Pure silliness.
Genre: Comedy
Running time: 5 mins
Cast: 1 man, 1 woman
Notes: Produced as part of Working Theatre Collective's "Erotic Shorts" festival in Portland, OR, February 9-11 and 14, 2012.
Notes: Produced as part of Working Theatre Collective's "Erotic Shorts" festival in Portland, OR, February 9-11 and 14, 2012.
