JAM by Vince Gatton

[ONE ACT] A malfunctioning piece of office equipment brings out the worst in a diverse group of co-workers. A dark comedy about perspective.

*** Winner, LIC Short Play Festival

*****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...
[ONE ACT] A malfunctioning piece of office equipment brings out the worst in a diverse group of co-workers. A dark comedy about perspective.

*** Winner, LIC Short Play Festival

*****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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JAM

Recommended by

  • Greg Mandryk:
    13 Feb. 2023
    “ To me, a good script is one that says, "C'mon! You know you'd love to be in this thing in front of a live audience." A good script begs to be performed. If this were to be produced in a one-act festival near me, I'd happily brush up my acting resume and head off to audition. ”
  • Daniel Prillaman:
    17 Nov. 2021
    “ This copier is weird. If it's a copier. It's never quite clear what it is or what it does, only that it is not working as intended, and ruining everyone's day in some manner. Quite surreally, as a matter of fact. Gatton's dark wit and charm are on full display in this workplace slice-of-life from hell, culminating in an ending that rebalances everything. The absurdity of the piece wonderfully mirrors our capitalist hellscape, and reminds us any moment we can find resolve in each other, even at the behest of something unimaginably horrific, it can mean everything. ”
  • Kim E. Ruyle:
    8 Nov. 2021
    “ Vince Gatton’s writing is sharp – sharp dialogue, sharply defined characters, and a mundane premise (a jammed piece of office equipment) sharpened to a razor’s edge. It is said that the end of every play, the end of every scene, is the beginning of another. This short play illustrates that truth beautifully. Highly recommended. ”
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Character Information

Jordan should be cast as white, and Sandra as Latina. For Derek and Denise, feel free to cast a wide net and disregard race/ethnicity.

There is one line by an offstage male voice.

  • Jordan
    30-ish,
    White
    ,
    Male
    Frustrated office temp with a life outside here as an artist. He does not need this shit today.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Sandra
    40s-ish,
    Latina
    ,
    Female
    Administrative Assistant who's been here a very long time. Always keeps her cool, but also keeps score -- and god help you if you cross her.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Derek
    Late 20s - 30ish,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    High-strung underling/minion to the big boss. Always hanging on by his fingernails, anxiety is the air he breathes.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Denise
    40s - 50s,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    The big boss. Commanding and powerful, yes, but down-to-earth, sane, and humane when push comes to shove.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female

Production History

  • University
    ,
    Cap and Bells, Williams College
    ,
    2017
  • Professional
    ,
    LIC Short Play Festival -- WINNER, Best Play
    ,
    2015

Awards

Winner
,
Best Play
,
LIC Short Play Festival
,
2015