In the Slush

FINALIST - Princess Grace Award, New Dramatists, 2023

COSMIC HORROR IDENTITY THRILLER
FULL-LENGTH: Newlywed Laura Beth Gardner has it all. A loving husband, a baby on the way, and a usually delightful job. But this weekend, tasked with reading through her publishing house’s slush pile, she encounters a mysterious manuscript that claims she isn’t human. That her husband isn’t who he says he is. And that she’s a...

FINALIST - Princess Grace Award, New Dramatists, 2023

COSMIC HORROR IDENTITY THRILLER
FULL-LENGTH: Newlywed Laura Beth Gardner has it all. A loving husband, a baby on the way, and a usually delightful job. But this weekend, tasked with reading through her publishing house’s slush pile, she encounters a mysterious manuscript that claims she isn’t human. That her husband isn’t who he says he is. And that she’s a vessel for her unborn child, who is actually the Second Coming of an ancient darkness that will devour the world. It has to be some sort of joke. …But what if it’s not?

A cosmic horror about identity, creation, and things we’ll do to realize our dreams.

*This play is published with Ghost Light Publications, who have graciously allowed free access to the script for perusal purposes through www.danielprillaman.com and the New Play Exchange. For performance/royalty rights, send inquiries to [email protected] or visit their licensing page at ghostlightpubs.com.

  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Library

In the Slush

Recommended by

  • Christopher Plumridge: In the Slush

    To tap into Mr Prillaman's mind is a dangerous undertaking, for he will take you on a wild ride with so many bizarre twists and turns you won't know where you are, or where you're going.
    Such is the case in IN THE SLUSH. You think you know where this is going, then BAM you're wrong. No spoilers here, suffice to say this is Prime Prillaman, so get on a read this, better still, produce it....if you dare.
    Brilliant!

    To tap into Mr Prillaman's mind is a dangerous undertaking, for he will take you on a wild ride with so many bizarre twists and turns you won't know where you are, or where you're going.
    Such is the case in IN THE SLUSH. You think you know where this is going, then BAM you're wrong. No spoilers here, suffice to say this is Prime Prillaman, so get on a read this, better still, produce it....if you dare.
    Brilliant!

  • Vince Gatton: In the Slush

    What a pleasure to meet such likable, witty characters, to enjoy spending time with them...and then have every expectation subverted, reversed, and cold-cocked so thrillingly. Prillaman again proves himself a master of escalating suspense and horror, but also of humanity: as huge as the scope of this story gets, it never loses focus on its living, breathing, suffering, hoping, loving, deeply screwed-up people. IN THE SLUSH is something you rarely see: a pitch black shocker with immense heart.

    What a pleasure to meet such likable, witty characters, to enjoy spending time with them...and then have every expectation subverted, reversed, and cold-cocked so thrillingly. Prillaman again proves himself a master of escalating suspense and horror, but also of humanity: as huge as the scope of this story gets, it never loses focus on its living, breathing, suffering, hoping, loving, deeply screwed-up people. IN THE SLUSH is something you rarely see: a pitch black shocker with immense heart.

  • Jillian Blevins: In the Slush

    If Lovecraft were a feminist/not a dick, he would have loved this play. IN THE SLUSH defies categorization: a hilarious existentialist cosmic-horror-thriller with mind-bending twists and slam-poetry sequences that are equal parts absurd and profound. The rules of storytelling are effectively subverted again and again, evidencing a mastery of and irreverence for narrative convention. With themes of female rage, bodily autonomy, nihilism and free will, SLUSH is Prillaman at the top of his game.

    If Lovecraft were a feminist/not a dick, he would have loved this play. IN THE SLUSH defies categorization: a hilarious existentialist cosmic-horror-thriller with mind-bending twists and slam-poetry sequences that are equal parts absurd and profound. The rules of storytelling are effectively subverted again and again, evidencing a mastery of and irreverence for narrative convention. With themes of female rage, bodily autonomy, nihilism and free will, SLUSH is Prillaman at the top of his game.

View all 26 recommendations

Character Information

  • Laura Beth Gardner
    Editorial Assistant
    Wife of Ethan
    Best Friend of Hope
    Pregnant
    (NOTE: Does not need to "look" pregnant)
    Character Age
    30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Ethan Gardner
    Not an editorial assistant
    Husband of Laura Beth
    Friend of Hope
    Character Age
    30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Hope Rosenstock
    Editorial Assistant
    Best Friend of Laura Beth
    Friend of Ethan
    Character Age
    30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Rodina Waits
    (As portrayed by Laura Beth Gardner)
    Aspiring Poet (samples available upon request)
    Marital Status Unknown
    Friend Status Unknown
    Character Age
    30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Orlando Boom
    (As portrayed by Ethan Gardner)
    Impossibly Sexual Interstellar Space Explorer
    Marital Status [REDACTED]
    Character Age
    Age Unknown
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Harold Becklesby
    Marital Status Unknown
    Character Age
    60s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male

Development History

  • Type Residency, Organization Skeleton Rep (Craft Development Process), Year 2022

Production History

  • Type University, Organization Nebraska Wesleyan University, Year 2025

Awards

  • Princess Grace Award
    New Dramatists
    Finalist
    2023