Janmadin by Vince Gatton

[ONE ACT] Having to set up the dumb office "surprise" birthday party is tedious enough, but now Nathan also has to contend with the weirdly skittish janitor and a mysterious stranger occupying the conference room. Janmadin is a (dark?) comedy about our complicated American relationship to work, and to the people we work with. Also: cupcakes.

*****This is one of a set of related plays,...
[ONE ACT] Having to set up the dumb office "surprise" birthday party is tedious enough, but now Nathan also has to contend with the weirdly skittish janitor and a mysterious stranger occupying the conference room. Janmadin is a (dark?) comedy about our complicated American relationship to work, and to the people we work with. Also: cupcakes.

*****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]
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Janmadin

Recommended by

  • Lynn Millar:
    10 Oct. 2023
    “ What a fun read. And yes, I want to see it live. Captures the awfulness of the workplace - hate birthday parties ✓ - don't know people you work with ✓ - excuses such as "well, we didn't lay people off." ✓ Love the changing landscape of the "problem." Favorite line of Divya after Nathan says the thought the guy spoke "Indian" she tells him "you bought this ticket, you ride it." as she explains there's no Indian language and she's from Albuquerque. BTW Janmadin means Birthday. Well done. Playwright Gatton. Want to read/see more. ”
  • Rachel Feeny-Williams:
    20 Sep. 2023
    “ Of all the directions I saw a surprise party going in, this was not one of them, which is what makes it such a brilliantly constructed piece. As the story unfolds and you as the audience discover piece of the tale you are desperate to know more! That, coupled with the balance of amusing and tragic moments makes this a piece that will leave an audience both filled with emotion and smiling in places. As a piece of theatre its a wonderfully delicate balancing act with very relevant themes in our current social climate, perfect for production! ”
  • Jared Reynolds:
    2 Feb. 2023
    “ What does corporate downsizing, tragic gun violence, poltergeists, and cupcakes have in common? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! Unless you're Vince Gatton! This brilliant tale is quick, coincidental, tragic, heartwarming, awkward, hilarious, weird, and a little disturbing. But you put them all together and somehow it works! Absolutely loved it! ”
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Character Information

  • Nathan
    20s - 30s,
    African American / Black
    ,
    Male
    Office worker, an unwilling recruit in morale-boosting projects
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Divya
    30s,
    South Asian/Indian
    ,
    Female
    Manager-level office worker, smart, witty, trying her best.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Henry
    40s to 50s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Facilities staff in the office, been here a long time, seen some things
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Sunil
    20s - 30s,
    South Asian/Indian
    ,
    Male
    Emotionally transparent, eager, urgent; speaks only in Hindi (with translation and transliteration provided)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Male