←Recommendations of Stiff Competition

Ten-minute comedies are difficult to get right because the writer has to keep it a fully developed play and not just a sketch with well-placed jokes. Busser's comedy presents an original take on a very common school event--the science fair--and creates a very dark look at how parents can take competition a little too seriously. The principal's deadpan (sorry for the pun) stance on the learning objectives of the project is brilliantly conveyed in this comic wonder of a play. Laugh-out-loud and thought-provoking--not an easy balance to strike, but Busser accomplishes this feat with remarkable skill!

The trope "It's funny because it's true" seems to be proven in this darkly hilarious tale of a parent having concerns about a certain science project. Having been a teacher and watched with fascinating horror as some parents take over the science fair and observe the response from the administration, John Busser's short two-hander is a lot closer to reality than you'd hope to think. His characters and their interaction is pure gold.

Busser doing Busser, and he’s killing it with this scathingly funny ten-minute two-hander. I’m still laughing.

You’ll never look at school science fairs the same way again after this short dark comedy. John Busser is a treasure. A twisted, hilarious treasure.

This is a darkly hilarious satire of school science fairs, parental competition, and the beleaguered school principal trying to navigate it all. Busser keeps ramping up the ghoulish jokes with precision, until we find ourselves laughing at the most appalling things—and hoping for more. Judging from the online comments during a sharp virtual production that was part of the Two-Hander Slam, this one will slay a live audience.

This short two-hander is hilarious, dark, quotable and memorable.

Credit John Busser for setting up an everyday conflict -- parent versus principal as they argue about children's science fair projects -- and twisting it hard. And often. To unbelievably dark, grotesque comic heights. Even better, an audience can understand both points of view, especially the world-weary principal's.

I saw a virtual performance of "Stiff Competition" during the Two-Hander Slam in October 2021, and it was jaw-droppingly great. I'd love to see a live production.

JOHN BUSSER’s “Stiff Competition” is a winner, big time! This gem will have you laughing out loud from beginning to end. And, there’s a fantastic ending. Oh, my, I truly LOVED this play. So, so good! Bravo!

Saw this funny, funny play on a Two-Hander slam event on FaceBook live and the actors really got into the parts and brought this dark comedy to sweet life!

Oh, how this short play develops in just a few pages. Science projects will never be thought of the same way again. Funny and gruesome. A clever and deranged two hander perfect for a fall festival.

Dark, hilarious, and gruesome! I loved the time I spent inside this macabre school!