burnout.

by River Timms

(FULL LENGTH, NO INTERMISSION, DRAMA, 1.5-2 hours)

"NO I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY YOU TODAY AND I WON'T TOMORROW AND I WON'T THE NEXT DAY STOP CALLING ME I'M FIGURING IT OUT"

Noah is just like any normal millennial; he is burdened with thousands upon thousands of dollars of student loan debt, and he copes with his stress by consuming large amounts of marijuana. His job as a barworker doesn't pay nearly...

(FULL LENGTH, NO INTERMISSION, DRAMA, 1.5-2 hours)

"NO I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY YOU TODAY AND I WON'T TOMORROW AND I WON'T THE NEXT DAY STOP CALLING ME I'M FIGURING IT OUT"

Noah is just like any normal millennial; he is burdened with thousands upon thousands of dollars of student loan debt, and he copes with his stress by consuming large amounts of marijuana. His job as a barworker doesn't pay nearly enough to keep the bills in order or even pay rent, and he survives by the grace of his boyfriend and roommate, Ryan. As Noah begins to look for options in maneuvering through his own personal debt crisis, his encroaching deadline to begin payments draws ever closer, and the stress pushes him to the limit as he tries to juggle his relationships, his finances, and his health the best he can.

'burnout.' is the prequel to my play 'Tall Tales' and part one of the two-part series that I lovingly call 'Noah's Arc.' You don't need to read both to understand this story. They are separate narratives; they just recontextualize one another when read as a set.

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burnout.

Recommended by

  • Shaun Leisher: burnout. by River Timms
    “

    I related to this play on so many levels. A tribute to all the people working shitty service jobs and that are pulled down by student loans. Timms perfectly captures the anxiety and dread. You can't but want to hug and smack Noah all in one scene.

    I related to this play on so many levels. A tribute to all the people working shitty service jobs and that are pulled down by student loans. Timms perfectly captures the anxiety and dread. You can't but want to hug and smack Noah all in one scene.

    ”
  • Brian James Polak: burnout. by River Timms
    “

    This great play perfectly encapsulates what it's like for millions of people living in the United States. The writing is incredibly honest and unsparing in its depiction of lives trying to survive one month of bills at a time.

    This great play perfectly encapsulates what it's like for millions of people living in the United States. The writing is incredibly honest and unsparing in its depiction of lives trying to survive one month of bills at a time.

    ”
  • Ky Weeks: burnout. by River Timms
    “

    Timms skillfully portrays the impossibility of living under capitalism, the way the costs of living just get higher, pulling the most vulnerable further and further down. And the design of the horrible system blocks the way of any tangible solidarity or support. It's hard to take in, just as it should be. The millennial experience at its most direct and unflinching.

    Timms skillfully portrays the impossibility of living under capitalism, the way the costs of living just get higher, pulling the most vulnerable further and further down. And the design of the horrible system blocks the way of any tangible solidarity or support. It's hard to take in, just as it should be. The millennial experience at its most direct and unflinching.

    ”
View all 12 recommendations

Character Information

DAD should be doubled as the male STUPID MOTHERFUCKER chorus member. This is not Freudian.
  • Vicky
    A student debt call line assistant, a health insurance call line assistant, a receptionist for a doctor's office, and a museum subscription coordinator. Just trying to do her job.
    20s-60s
    She/her
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Dad
    Early fifties. Noah's dad.
    50s
    he/him
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • A Chorus of Stupid Motherfuckers
    At least two, less than ten, and at least one man and one woman
    30s-50s
    Male,
    Female,
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
  • Noah
    A bar worker barely a year out of college. Probably stoned right now.
    Late 20s
    he/him
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Taryn
    A bartender that somehow doesn't worry about money.
    Late 20s
    She/her
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Aubrey
    A gay food runner that cannot do his job sober.
    24
    he/him
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Grace
    A server who hates her job.
    Early 30s
    She/her
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Ryan
    Works at a private school. Noah's boyfriend.
    Early 30s
    he/him
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary

Development History