"DRIFTWOOD" A Full Length Drama Memory Play / Dramatic Family Drama (REV 2026)

“DRIFTWOOD”
SYNOPSIS
A DYING FATHER ASKS HIS SON TO PHOTOGRAPH HIS DEATH
Daniel Wood, a moderately successful photographer living in New York City, is forced to face the painful memories of his broken childhood when he returns to his Midwest childhood home at the request of his dying father…whom he never loved. After decades of relentless anger and largely unexpressed contempt, Daniel may finally find the...

“DRIFTWOOD”
SYNOPSIS
A DYING FATHER ASKS HIS SON TO PHOTOGRAPH HIS DEATH
Daniel Wood, a moderately successful photographer living in New York City, is forced to face the painful memories of his broken childhood when he returns to his Midwest childhood home at the request of his dying father…whom he never loved. After decades of relentless anger and largely unexpressed contempt, Daniel may finally find the courage to ask the questions that have plagued him since his boyhood. His father may finally be able to do something to help his son. They both may be able to mend some of the fences that were all but destroyed decades before. But the clock is running out…

Spanning nearly a century, Driftwood is a drama about love, regret, and the passage of time. As Daniel confronts their fractured relationship, the play weaves through time—from a 1920s scandal that shaped their family’s destiny to pivotal moments in the 1960s that defined Daniel’s childhood. Through shifting memories and long-buried secrets, Driftwood explores the inescapable ties of family, the ghosts of the past, and the search for meaning in life's fleeting moments.

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

"DRIFTWOOD" A Full Length Drama Memory Play / Dramatic Family Drama (REV 2026)

Recommended by

  • Morey Norkin: "DRIFTWOOD" A Full Length Drama Memory Play / Dramatic Family Drama (REV 2026)

    In the words of the Pulitzer presenter within the play, DRIFTWOOD “explore(s) mortality, family, and
    reconciliation with extraordinary honesty and artistic grace.” Donald Loftus combines his skillful writing along with his protagonist’s artistic sense as a photographer to present a highly theatrical, moving family portrait. What an amazing opportunity for an ensemble cast and scenic designer. Extraordinary work.

    In the words of the Pulitzer presenter within the play, DRIFTWOOD “explore(s) mortality, family, and
    reconciliation with extraordinary honesty and artistic grace.” Donald Loftus combines his skillful writing along with his protagonist’s artistic sense as a photographer to present a highly theatrical, moving family portrait. What an amazing opportunity for an ensemble cast and scenic designer. Extraordinary work.

  • John Mabey: "DRIFTWOOD" A Full Length Drama Memory Play / Dramatic Family Drama (REV 2026)

    There is so much power in photography to see what's captured beyond an image. And in DRIFTWOOD by Donald Loftus, there are such rich relationships and metaphors explored here through a camera and beyond one, too. As someone who also loves the artform, I really appreciated his skillful use of photography to collide with memory and form new meanings and interpretations. And the characters he's crafted here make us root for them at the same time as we challenge their past decisions.

    There is so much power in photography to see what's captured beyond an image. And in DRIFTWOOD by Donald Loftus, there are such rich relationships and metaphors explored here through a camera and beyond one, too. As someone who also loves the artform, I really appreciated his skillful use of photography to collide with memory and form new meanings and interpretations. And the characters he's crafted here make us root for them at the same time as we challenge their past decisions.

  • Rich Rubin: "DRIFTWOOD" A Full Length Drama Memory Play / Dramatic Family Drama (REV 2026)

    A multi-layered memory play of enormous power and insight, and an eye-opening depiction of how childhood trauma can irrevocably impact adult lives and future relationships across successive generations. A unique and courageous work of art ... bravo!

    A multi-layered memory play of enormous power and insight, and an eye-opening depiction of how childhood trauma can irrevocably impact adult lives and future relationships across successive generations. A unique and courageous work of art ... bravo!

View all 7 recommendations

Character Information

CASTING NOTE: There are 16 roles in the play. (5F/12M) The director can utilize 16 actors or as few as 8 by assigning multiple roles to each actor. Using the chart below, as few as 8 actors could be used. (3F/5M)

ACTOR #1: (MALE/AGE 35-40)
DANIEL AT 38: A 1990s photographer grappling with family history while documenting his father’s final days.

ACTOR #2: (MALE/AGE 60-70)
JOSEPH AT 68: A regretful father, dying of cancer, reflecting on missed opportunities and
seeking significance in his last days.

CLARK: A 1960s small-town bartender.

ACTOR #3: (FEMALE/AGE 60-70)
GLORIA AT 68: A 1990s mother battling early Alzheimer’s, torn between her devotion to family and her declining independence.

ACTOR #4: (FEMALE/AGE 18-25)
MARIE: A 1920s young, drunk, exploited hooker.
GLORIA AT 18: A 1940s small-town waitress, optimistic and full of dreams.

ACTOR #5: (MALE/AGE 18-25)
POLICEMAN: A 1920s small-town policeman.
JOSEPH AT 18: A 1940s naïve Army recruit stepping into the unknown of war and adulthood.
DANIEL AT 18: A 1970s rebellious teenager.

ACTOR #6: (FEMALE/AGE 35-40)
GLORIA AT 38: A 1960s housewife striving to maintain normalcy amidst domestic discord.
WELFARE AGENT: A 1920s small-town welfare agent.

ACTOR #7: (MALE/AGE 35-40)
JOSEPH AT 38: A 1960s factory worker, frustrated with his modest existence.
JIMBO: A 1920s drunken trick.
NEIGHBOR GUY: A distant, irritable voice off-stage.
PRESENTER: A professional figure

ACTOR #8: (MALE/AGE 8-10)(Can be played by an adult)
DANIEL AT 8: An innocent, curious 1960s child, enthralled by his first camera.







  • ACTOR # 1
    ACTOR #1: (MALE/AGE 30-40)
    DANIEL AT 38: A 1990s photographer grappling with family history while documenting his father’s final days.

    Character Age
    30-40
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • ACTOR # 2
    ACTOR #2: (MALE/AGE 60-70)
    JOSEPH AT 68: A regretful father, dying of cancer, reflecting
    on missed opportunities and seeking
    significance in his last days.

    CLARK: A 1960s small-town bartender.

    Character Age
    60-70
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • ACTOR # 3
    ACTOR #3: (FEMALE/AGE 60-70)
    GLORIA AT 68: A 1990s mother battling early Alzheimer’s, torn between
    her devotion to family and her declining independence.
    Character Age
    60-70
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • ACTOR # 4
    ACTOR #4: (FEMALE/AGE 18-25)
    MARIE: A 1920s young, drunk, exploited hooker.

    GLORIA AT 18: A 1940s small-town waitress, optimistic and full of dreams.
    Character Age
    18-25
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • ACTOR # 5
    ACTOR #5: (MALE/AGE 18-25)
    POLICEMAN: A 1920s small-town policeman.

    JOSEPH AT 18: A 1940s naïve Army recruit stepping into the unknown of war and adulthood.

    DANIEL AT 18: A 1970s rebellious teenager.

    Character Age
    18-25
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • ACTOR # 6
    ACTOR #6: (FEMALE/AGE 35-40)

    GLORIA AT 38: A 1960s housewife striving to maintain
    normalcy amidst domestic discord.

    WELFARE AGENT: A 1920s small-town welfare agent.
    Character Age
    35-40
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • ACTOR # 7
    ACTOR #7: (MALE/AGE 35-40)

    JOSEPH AT 38: A 1960s factory worker, frustrated with his modest
    existence.

    JIMBO: A 1920s drunken trick.

    NEIGHBOR: A distant, irritable voice off-stage.

    PRESENTER: A professional figure

    Character Age
    35-40
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • ACTOR # 7
    ACTOR #7: (MALE/AGE 35-40)

    JOSEPH AT 38: A 1960s factory worker, frustrated with his modest
    existence.

    JIMBO: A 1920s drunken trick.

    NEIGHBOR: A distant, irritable voice off-stage.

    PRESENTER: A professional figure

    Character Age
    35-40
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • ACTOR # 8
    ACTOR #8: (MALE/AGE 8-10)(Can be played by an adult)

    DANIEL AT 8: An innocent, curious 1960s child, enthralled by
    his first camera.
    Character Age
    8-10 (CAN BE PLAYED BY AN ADULT)
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male