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.

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: The Value by Nicholas Dunn
    “

    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!

    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: The Value by Nicholas Dunn
    “

    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.

    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: The Value by Nicholas Dunn
    “

    An engaging exploration of worth. Loved all the use of frames. Art, mirrors, windows, crime!

    An engaging exploration of worth. Loved all the use of frames. Art, mirrors, windows, crime!

    ”

Character Information

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

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