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

  • Max Kennel:
    26 Sep. 2023
    “ I have never been more invested in the fixing of a printer/copier. It's invigoratingly break-neck pace conveys within the shows read/runtime. The dynamics between the characters depending on the situation that surrounds them got me existential in the best way possible. An epic one-act play! ”
  • Scott Sickles:
    24 Jun. 2023
    “ Man, I do not miss corporate.

    [I can't tell you how tempted I was to leave that as my entire recommendation.]

    We've all dealt with this machine, regardless of what this machine might actually be. We've needed it. It spurned us. And the day just snowballs... not just for all but for all who need The Machine. And WE ALL... NEED... THE MACHINE!!!

    Fortunately, Gatton's characters are no mere office archetypes. Each has their own personality and different stakes in the outcome. The tension escalates steadily and hilariously functioning as a comic reflection and a stirring warning!

    A jawdropper! ”
  • 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. ”
View all 12 recommendations

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