Tiny Empty Nest by David Beardsley

You are cordially invited to the Bookers’ midlife meltdown. Hard hat required. Ben and Claire Booker’s only child has just left for college, and their relationship needs a jump start. Ben wants them to audition for Tiny Empty Nest, a reality television show that chronicles empty nesters living in tiny houses. Claire, who has cultivated skills and interests independent of Ben, is skeptical but goes along....
You are cordially invited to the Bookers’ midlife meltdown. Hard hat required. Ben and Claire Booker’s only child has just left for college, and their relationship needs a jump start. Ben wants them to audition for Tiny Empty Nest, a reality television show that chronicles empty nesters living in tiny houses. Claire, who has cultivated skills and interests independent of Ben, is skeptical but goes along. Audition day arrives and, with a hard-charging reality-television producer giving them nowhere to hide, Ben and Claire find themselves building much more than a tiny house.

RUNNING TIME: 1:45
CAST: 3-4 Total (2-3 F, 1M)
CHARACTERS: 5* (4F, 1M)

*See incidental roles in casting notes.

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Tiny Empty Nest

Recommended by

  • Tom Erb:
    25 Apr. 2024
    “ "Tiny Empty Nest" is an exploration of midlife's complexities. The play deftly captures the emotional turmoil of Ben and Clair Booker, a couple grappling with an empty home and stalled dreams. Through sharp dialogue and relatable struggles, the narrative discusses the sacrifices and adjustments that come with life's transitions. The inclusion of a reality TV element adds a contemporary twist, reflecting society's fascination with public personas. This play is a compelling portrayal of resilience and the quest for self-reinvention amidst life's inevitable changes. ”
  • The Depot for New Play Readings:
    8 Feb. 2022
    “ In “Tiny Empty Nest,” an ordinary pair of empty nesters, Ben and Claire Booker, attempt to repair their marriage by competing on a reality TV show, Tiny Empty Nest, in which middle-aged couples build and live in tiny houses. Steeped in action, with inventive staging, zippy dialog, and a beautiful pictorial quality, David Beardsley delivers a clever, funny, and ultimately touching examination of mid-life crises that never takes a wrong step. A sure crowd pleaser, “Tiny Empty Nest” offers companies of any size great roles for older actors and exciting opportunities for production and design teams. Strongly recommended. ”
  • Emma Goldman-Sherman:
    9 Jun. 2021
    “ Super-fun, theatrical play that has great roles for older actors. I particularly love how immensely capable Claire is. Beardsley's NEST is highly relatable. In 74 days my son will start college, so this could be my life only with a lot more laughs! ”
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Character Information

No production should cast all these characters with actors who are white, cis, straight, thin, and physically or mentally able. As Ben says, “How is that reality?”

DOUBLING: The actor who plays Susan can also play Chloe--though Chloe may be cast separately.

INCIDENTAL CHARACTER: In three person casts, a member of the actual production team should play the Stagehand (a brief non-speaking role in act two, scene two). In four-person casts, the actor playing Susan could play the Stagehand, if needed.

  • Claire
    50s-60,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    She/Her. 50s. Ben's spouse. A homemaker and self-starter, as competent as they come. She's found her groove and doesn't want anything or anyone to get in her way.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Ben
    early-60s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    He/His. 62. Claire's spouse. A business man who has forgotten what it means to be a self-starter. He's in a rut, his life has stalled, and the clock is ticking loudly. Can he find that old Ben Booker Magic before it's too late?
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male, Non-binary
  • Chloe
    20s,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    She/Her. 24. A brash reality TV producer. She prizes entertainment value above everything and does what's needed to get it.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Susan
    30s,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    She/Her. 30s. Claire's up-and-coming agent. She is chasing the opportunity of both their lifetimes.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female, Non-binary
  • Stagehand
    Any age,
    Any
    ,
    Any gender
    A stagehand at the Tiny Empty Nest audition.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    tiny_Theatre (online reading, see link in supporting videos section; Tiny Empty Nest reading starts at 8:45)
    ,
    2021
  • Workshop
    ,
    New World Theatre
    ,
    2021
  • Workshop
    ,
    Theatre Resources Unlimited (TRU): TRU Voices Reading Series
    ,
    2021

Awards

Finalist
,
S&Co/Posterity Prize
,
Scriptwriters & Co and Posterity Entertainment
,
2023
Semi-Finalist
,
New Works Festival
,
Garry Marshall Theatre (Los Angeles, CA)
,
2022