The Daily Grind

by Kiley Gaddis

A group of 20-something baristas (and starving post-grad theatre makers) navigate the challenges of customer service, capitalism, and messy interpersonal relationships, asking whether or not artistic fulfillment is worth the sacrifice of financial security.

A group of 20-something baristas (and starving post-grad theatre makers) navigate the challenges of customer service, capitalism, and messy interpersonal relationships, asking whether or not artistic fulfillment is worth the sacrifice of financial security.

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The Daily Grind

Recommended by

  • Drew Paryzer: The Daily Grind by Kiley Gaddis
    “

    I was lucky to see a reading of this play at the 2026 Valdez Theater Conference! I was so taken with the precision and specificity of the characters, the frenetic pacing and rhythms of the scenes, and the deeply-felt storylines of young adulthood and its misadventures. It’s also laugh-out-loud funny! This would be a great piece for a group of twentysomething actors to sink their teeth into. Heartily recommend!

    I was lucky to see a reading of this play at the 2026 Valdez Theater Conference! I was so taken with the precision and specificity of the characters, the frenetic pacing and rhythms of the scenes, and the deeply-felt storylines of young adulthood and its misadventures. It’s also laugh-out-loud funny! This would be a great piece for a group of twentysomething actors to sink their teeth into. Heartily recommend!

    ”

Character Information

  • Summer
    Aspiring writer. Mild-mannered, demure, quiet under pressure. Introverted but pays attention. Comes across as put together but may be a bit messier than she lets on.
    20-25
    Female indentifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Alana
    Aspiring actor, shift lead. Artsy in a stick and poke kind of way. Deceptive homebody. Incredibly pragmatic and puts her job/responsibilities before anything else.
    20-30
    Female indentifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Livvy
    Aspiring actor. Bright, crippling anxiety, doesn't realize when they're being loud. Eccentric but endearing nonetheless.
    20-25
    femme non binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary
  • Dylan
    Has no idea what he wants to do with his life. Flirty, funny, impulsive, somewhere at the club at 3am when he's opening at 6 the next morning.
    20-30
    male idenityfing
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Ryder
    Student, wants to do something esoteric. Into his niches and isn’t ashamed of it. Very knowledgeable about a lot of things but somehow doesn't know when to stop talking.
    20-25
    male idenityfing
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Woman
    out of touch but well-meaning woman.
    40-60
    Female indentifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman

Development History

  • Reading, Valdez Theatre Conference, 2026
  • Reading, The Tank, 2025