THE GARBOLOGISTS

by Lindsay Joelle

Danny’s a white, blue-collar, New York City mansplainer. Marlowe’s the Black, female, ivy-educated newbie who just joined his garbage route. Thrown together in a 19-ton truck and forced to pick up what the world has discarded, two essential workers from different worlds discover there's more that binds them than taking out the trash. An unconventional buddy comedy in a garbage truck, The Garbologists is a...

Danny’s a white, blue-collar, New York City mansplainer. Marlowe’s the Black, female, ivy-educated newbie who just joined his garbage route. Thrown together in a 19-ton truck and forced to pick up what the world has discarded, two essential workers from different worlds discover there's more that binds them than taking out the trash. An unconventional buddy comedy in a garbage truck, The Garbologists is a hopeful story about finding common ground in uncommon times.

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THE GARBOLOGISTS

Recommended by

  • Donna Hoke: THE GARBOLOGISTS by Lindsay Joelle
    “

    Warm, moving, excellently paced and structured. I'm usually not a fan of unlikely friendship stories but this one really hit me in the feels. What really impressed me is that I almost didn't even realize it was a two-hander because it was that compelling and rich. So well done.

    Warm, moving, excellently paced and structured. I'm usually not a fan of unlikely friendship stories but this one really hit me in the feels. What really impressed me is that I almost didn't even realize it was a two-hander because it was that compelling and rich. So well done.

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: THE GARBOLOGISTS by Lindsay Joelle
    “

    An excellent examination of what holds value for us and the relationship between these two is very fun. Well done!

    An excellent examination of what holds value for us and the relationship between these two is very fun. Well done!

    ”
  • Cameron Houg: THE GARBOLOGISTS by Lindsay Joelle
    “

    A fun and thoughtful piece that is engaging from the start and zooms by so fast it's over before you know it. An excellent example of how to do a two-hander right, I never wanted for other characters because Danny and Marlowe are just fun to watch together, even when they're at odds.

    Interesting, hilarious, and well worth a read.

    A fun and thoughtful piece that is engaging from the start and zooms by so fast it's over before you know it. An excellent example of how to do a two-hander right, I never wanted for other characters because Danny and Marlowe are just fun to watch together, even when they're at odds.

    Interesting, hilarious, and well worth a read.

    ”
View all 8 recommendations

Development History

  • Residency, PlayPenn New Play Development Conference, 2018
  • Commission, EST/Sloan Foundation, 2017
  • Reading, Martha's Vineyard Playhouse, 2017
  • Workshop, Curious Theatre Company, 2017

Production History

  • Professional, Theaterworks Hartford, 2024
  • Professional, Dezart Performs, 2023
  • Professional, Forward Theater Co., 2023
  • Professional, Bulldog Ensemble, 2022
  • Professional, City Theatre Company, 2022
  • Professional, Northlight Theatre, 2022
  • Professional, Philadelphia Theatre Company, 2021

Awards

  • The Kilroys List
    The Kilroys
    Selection
    2020
  • Emerging Playwright Prize
    Leah Ryan's FEWW
    Honorable Mention
    2017
  • Best Original Writing
    Desert Theater League
    Winner
    2023