Cassie Strickland Is Not Under the Bed

by Vince Gatton

[SHORT] Bed-bound Clay calls a friend for help.

*****This is one of a set of related plays, varying in length, genre, style, and setting but all connected in some way to a central, singular event. These plays each stand alone, so there’s no need to have read one to understand the others; but if you’re so inclined, the short pieces can be read together in the anthology The Thing That Happened, along with the...

[SHORT] Bed-bound Clay calls a friend for help.

*****This is one of a set of related plays, varying in length, genre, style, and setting but all connected in some way to a central, singular event. These plays each stand alone, so there’s no need to have read one to understand the others; but if you’re so inclined, the short pieces can be read together in the anthology The Thing That Happened, along with the companion full-length You Have Earned Bonus Stars.

• JAM [One Act]
• Status Update [Short]
• Cassie Strickland Is Not Under the Bed [Short]
• Things Are Looking Up [Short]
• She’s Blown Away [Short]
• Janmadin [One Act]

• You Have Earned Bonus Stars [Full Length]

read more
  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Library

Cassie Strickland Is Not Under the Bed

Recommended by

  • Eve Antonelli: Cassie Strickland Is Not Under the Bed by Vince Gatton
    “

    Cassie Strickland is Not Under the Bed is such a powerful story that is more relevant today than ever. The writing is absolutely excellent and allows the reader to have a firsthand look into the mind of this paranoid, grieving man. Such a beautiful piece about the complication of grief from a perspective you don't usually hear.

    Cassie Strickland is Not Under the Bed is such a powerful story that is more relevant today than ever. The writing is absolutely excellent and allows the reader to have a firsthand look into the mind of this paranoid, grieving man. Such a beautiful piece about the complication of grief from a perspective you don't usually hear.

    ”
  • Julie Grixlen: Cassie Strickland Is Not Under the Bed by Vince Gatton
    “

    Cassie Strickland Is Not Under the Bed is a fantastic display of tragedy. The haunts of past mistakes are showcased through childhood fear that manifests as real horror. This piece not only keeps you lingering in suspense, but delivers a jump scare extraordinaire. Well done!

    Cassie Strickland Is Not Under the Bed is a fantastic display of tragedy. The haunts of past mistakes are showcased through childhood fear that manifests as real horror. This piece not only keeps you lingering in suspense, but delivers a jump scare extraordinaire. Well done!

    ”
  • Greg Mandryk: Cassie Strickland Is Not Under the Bed by Vince Gatton
    “

    Do not, as I did, put something in the oven and set a timer to go off while you're engrossed in the final few pages of this play. What I love about this short horror story is how well Vince Gatton unravels the back story involving Clay's "mistake", all the while stoking the tension surrounding the big, horrifying question: "is this play's title friggin' lying to me?!!" Masterfully done!

    Do not, as I did, put something in the oven and set a timer to go off while you're engrossed in the final few pages of this play. What I love about this short horror story is how well Vince Gatton unravels the back story involving Clay's "mistake", all the while stoking the tension surrounding the big, horrifying question: "is this play's title friggin' lying to me?!!" Masterfully done!

    ”
View all 25 recommendations
***Casting Requirements contain spoilers***
.
.
.
.
.
The two main characters can be played by adult men of any ethnicity. Ideally CLAY would be played by a man of larger build.

And now the SPOILER: There is also a small non-speaking role at the very end, to be played by a girl roughly 4 - 9 years old.

Production History

  • Professional, New Ambassadors Theater Company, NYC, 2023

Awards

  • Two-Hander Slam
    Craig Houk
    Winner
    2021