What If You Stayed

ONE-ACT, RADIO PLAY: Many queer southerners take the first opportunity they get to escape their hometowns. They search for places that will embrace them and allow them to fully be themselves, whether geographical or virtual, and this search divests them from their pasts, their heritage, and history.

Years after a tumultuous youth and young adulthood, Ellis has settled into his role as a bartender at his local...

ONE-ACT, RADIO PLAY: Many queer southerners take the first opportunity they get to escape their hometowns. They search for places that will embrace them and allow them to fully be themselves, whether geographical or virtual, and this search divests them from their pasts, their heritage, and history.

Years after a tumultuous youth and young adulthood, Ellis has settled into his role as a bartender at his local bar, Wendelson's. He walks to and from the grocery store on his days off, waving to old classmates and dodging the leering eyes of old rivals. Occasionally he'll open a gay social app on his phone and see what there is to be seen, but he's accepted there isn't much worth yearning for... but today, something is different. A stranger has come to town.

What if you didn't have to stray far from home to find connection, support, love? What if enough people decided they could make a home out of a few dirt roads and a house on the edge of town? What if you stayed?

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What If You Stayed

Recommended by

  • Danielle Wirsansky: What If You Stayed

    What If You Stayed is a deeply reflective and poetic radio play that draws you into Ellis's quiet, yet poignant world. The way it explores the tension between leaving and staying in your hometown, especially as a queer person, feels raw and relatable. The writing is beautifully layered, and Ellis's inner monologue gives a sense of vulnerability that resonates long after the play ends. It's an immersive experience that brings a small town's complexities to life. A truly captivating read!

    What If You Stayed is a deeply reflective and poetic radio play that draws you into Ellis's quiet, yet poignant world. The way it explores the tension between leaving and staying in your hometown, especially as a queer person, feels raw and relatable. The writing is beautifully layered, and Ellis's inner monologue gives a sense of vulnerability that resonates long after the play ends. It's an immersive experience that brings a small town's complexities to life. A truly captivating read!

  • Brent Alles: What If You Stayed

    There's an elegance of style with this audio play. The nature of the medium allows for Heyman to be poetic and contemplative. When the characters do speak, it's meaningful, and we're allowed to see the moments between them blossom even in the relatively short time we get to spend with them. It's very easy to "see" how the delivery of this material would create a rich world in the listener's mind. Can't wait to hear such an audio production bring this excellent story to life.

    There's an elegance of style with this audio play. The nature of the medium allows for Heyman to be poetic and contemplative. When the characters do speak, it's meaningful, and we're allowed to see the moments between them blossom even in the relatively short time we get to spend with them. It's very easy to "see" how the delivery of this material would create a rich world in the listener's mind. Can't wait to hear such an audio production bring this excellent story to life.

  • Debra A. Cole: What If You Stayed

    What a fabulous radio drama. SAM HEYMAN has found just the right words to bring this beautiful story of past, present, and what ifs to life for audiences. The richness of the narrator's inner monologue is pure poetry as he walks us through the town that has made him, judged him, and at times... quenched him. ELLIS is a unique voice that screams to be heard. What a poignant world SAM has created for us.

    What a fabulous radio drama. SAM HEYMAN has found just the right words to bring this beautiful story of past, present, and what ifs to life for audiences. The richness of the narrator's inner monologue is pure poetry as he walks us through the town that has made him, judged him, and at times... quenched him. ELLIS is a unique voice that screams to be heard. What a poignant world SAM has created for us.

View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

  • Ellis
    Stayed in his hometown and made a life there, despite it all. His audible queerness is thickly masked by a stoic, masculine performance, but in his narration, his gentle, yearning soul shines through. App handle: “Town Dad”
    Character Age
    60s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    African American/Black
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Cal
    Left town as soon as he could, but has returned to visit. Flirtatious, youthful, he has almost forgotten what it feels like to be in the closet. App handle “baby boy”
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Lambert
    A former football star who has grown bitter and ugly with time. Straight as an arrow, but not very sharp.
    Character Age
    60s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Men's Voices
    Ellis’ memories and imaginings; alternately vitriolic and soothing. Can be doubled with Lambert.
    Character Age
    Various
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Bi-racial/multi-racial
    Character Gender Identity
    Male