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 read one to understand the...

[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]

read more
  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

JAM

Recommended by

  • Max Kennel: JAM by Vince Gatton
    “

    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!

    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: JAM by Vince Gatton
    “

    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...

    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!

    read more
    ”
  • Greg Mandryk: JAM by Vince Gatton
    “

    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.

    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
    Frustrated office temp with a life outside here as an artist. He does not need this shit today.
    30-ish
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Sandra
    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.
    40s-ish
    Latina
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Derek
    High-strung underling/minion to the big boss. Always hanging on by his fingernails, anxiety is the air he breathes.
    Late 20s - 30ish
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Denise
    The big boss. Commanding and powerful, yes, but down-to-earth, sane, and humane when push comes to shove.
    40s - 50s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Production History

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

Awards

  • Best Play
    LIC Short Play Festival
    Winner
    2015