The Value by Nicholas Dunn

FULL LENGTH: A trio of petty thieves hide out in a dingy motel room after stealing a piece of art from a museum in a smash-and-grab job. The painting offers a different possibility for each of them, but once its true value and significance becomes clear, they must confront the reality of their own intrinsic worth in a society driven by money and power.

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The Value

Recommended by

  • Jared Shipley:
    10 Oct. 2023
    “ A seamless, thrilling, and funny, treatise on the worth we place on art, money, morality, and each other. A plot with continuous twists throughout in ways both surprising and inevitable. I love this play! ”
  • Deborah Girard-Brown:
    1 Mar. 2021
    “ A very fine play that keeps the audience engaged throughout. Dunn led the audience down a path the made a right turn at the end that made me sit up! Brilliant use of the props. ”
  • Samantha Marchant:
    10 Feb. 2021
    “ An engaging exploration of worth. Loved all the use of frames. Art, mirrors, windows, crime! ”

Character Information

  • Ian
    30's-40's,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Anti-hero, Byronic, imposing personality
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Zoey
    20's- 30's ,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Rough edges, tough, wouldn't want to meet her in a dark alley
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Victor
    20's- 30's ,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Recently released from Prison, hard exterior with a marshmallow center, a bit slow on the draw
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • McEvoy
    50's-60's,
    Male
    Refined Intellectual, conflicted
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Utah Shakespeare Festival
    ,
    2023
  • Workshop
    ,
    Risk Theatre/Canadian Plaything
    ,
    2020
  • Workshop
    ,
    University of Utah Theatre Department
    ,
    2019

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Langham Court Theatre/Altitude Theatre
    ,
    2024
  • Professional
    ,
    Loft Ensemble
    ,
    2023

Awards

Winner
,
Risk Theatre Modern Tragedy Competition
,
Risk Theatre
,
2020
Semi-Finalist
,
New Play Festival
,
Local Lab
,
2020
Austin Film Festival 2nd Rounder
,
2019
Finalist
,
New Works Competition
,
Acadiana Repertory Theatre
,
2019
Semi-Finalist
,
Festival of New American Theatre
,
Phoenix Theatre
,
2018