Family Game Night (ten minute version)

by Peter Kennedy

A routine board game night turns darker as discussion turns toward what family members want (or don't want) when it comes time to make end of life medical and funerary decisions.

Family Game Night was produced as a winner of the 2016 Theatre InspiraTO National Ten-Minute Play Festival, where it received a People's Choice Award for Best Play. It was also produced Off-Off Broadway as a winning entry in the 2015...

A routine board game night turns darker as discussion turns toward what family members want (or don't want) when it comes time to make end of life medical and funerary decisions.

Family Game Night was produced as a winner of the 2016 Theatre InspiraTO National Ten-Minute Play Festival, where it received a People's Choice Award for Best Play. It was also produced Off-Off Broadway as a winning entry in the 2015 Long Island City One-Act Festival at The Secret Theatre in New York City and in 2016 by Oil Lamp Theatre in Glenview, IL.

"...This play tackles family communication head on, and surprises with its sincerity and heartfelt performances...Best in Show." (Alina Butt, The Newspaper, The University of Toronto's Independent Paper)

"I loved it. It was definitely my favourite of the six. Well written with natural dialogue...and about a subject that we don’t want to discuss, but should. I was particularly impressed that Kennedy managed to fit a plot twist into a 10 minute play. And the game! If it doesn’t exist, it should." (Sam Mooney, mooneyontheatre.com)

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Family Game Night (ten minute version)

Recommended by

  • Oil Lamp Theater: Family Game Night (ten minute version) by Peter Kennedy
    “

    This play is both funny and poignant. It gives actors and the audience humor and something important to think about.

    This play is both funny and poignant. It gives actors and the audience humor and something important to think about.

    ”
  • Josh Downing: Family Game Night (ten minute version) by Peter Kennedy
    “

    I was one of the lucky actors that got to perform this play at InspiraTO Festival in Toronto. We had a great time exploring the characters and enjoyed the deft dialogue. Audience feedback was fantastic. Even had reports of some tears in between the laughs. Great work.

    I was one of the lucky actors that got to perform this play at InspiraTO Festival in Toronto. We had a great time exploring the characters and enjoyed the deft dialogue. Audience feedback was fantastic. Even had reports of some tears in between the laughs. Great work.

    ”
  • Asher Wyndham: Family Game Night (ten minute version) by Peter Kennedy
    “

    Kennedy thinks outside the box, and deals with an important subject -- end-of-life medical and funeral decisions -- with humor. Within ten-minutes, he creates a peculiar family, each member with a distinct personality and voice. One of my favorite ten-minute plays. One-of-a-kind ten-minute play -- and that's rare.

    Kennedy thinks outside the box, and deals with an important subject -- end-of-life medical and funeral decisions -- with humor. Within ten-minutes, he creates a peculiar family, each member with a distinct personality and voice. One of my favorite ten-minute plays. One-of-a-kind ten-minute play -- and that's rare.

    ”

Character Information

  • MOM
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • DAD
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • MAX
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • ANDREA
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman

Production History

  • Professional, Silverthorne Theatre, Greenfield, MA, 2020
  • University, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Michigan, 2019
  • Professional, InspiraTO Ten Minute Play Festival, Toronto, CA, 2016
  • Professional, Oil Lamp Theater, Glenview, IL, 2016
  • Fringe, The Secret Theatre, NYC, 2015

Awards

  • Short and Sweet International Play Competition
    Silverthorne Theatre, Greenfield, MA
    Selection
    2020
  • Long Island City One Act Festival
    The Secret Theatre, NYC
    Selection
    2015
  • Theatre InspiraTO International Ten-Minute Play Competition
    Theatre InspiraTO, Toronto, CA
    Audience Choice
    2016
  • Theatre InspiraTO International Ten-Minute Play Competition
    Theatre InspiraTO, Tornonto, CA
    Selection
    2016