The Deal - 10 Minute Play

by Ryan Kaminski

A short horror/thriller play set in the mid-1950s. A widow is visited by a sinister stranger looking to collect one of her husband’s unique outstanding debts.

Featured in The Best 10-Minute Plays 2025 published by Smith & Kraus.
https://www.amazon.com/9781575259833-Debbie-Lamedman/dp/1575259834/ref=…...

A short horror/thriller play set in the mid-1950s. A widow is visited by a sinister stranger looking to collect one of her husband’s unique outstanding debts.

Featured in The Best 10-Minute Plays 2025 published by Smith & Kraus.
https://www.amazon.com/9781575259833-Debbie-Lamedman/dp/1575259834/ref=…

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The Deal - 10 Minute Play

Recommended by

  • Chris Smith: The Deal - 10 Minute Play by Ryan Kaminski
    “

    Cool Faustian deal piece with a twist. Putting the setting in a well trod southern world is a great choice. Just a fun, creepy, neatly tied up horror piece.

    Cool Faustian deal piece with a twist. Putting the setting in a well trod southern world is a great choice. Just a fun, creepy, neatly tied up horror piece.

    ”
  • Christopher Soucy: The Deal - 10 Minute Play by Ryan Kaminski
    “

    Devilishly delightful. What a great short play. It has a sweet syrupy pace with a hint of sinister flavor. The dialogue carries the period well and the plot is a twisty path that the audience will love to travel down.

    Devilishly delightful. What a great short play. It has a sweet syrupy pace with a hint of sinister flavor. The dialogue carries the period well and the plot is a twisty path that the audience will love to travel down.

    ”
  • James Binz: The Deal - 10 Minute Play by Ryan Kaminski
    “

    Nifty little dark comedy. Crisp dialogue and good action for a two hander. The widow is a surprise and I loved the mystery twist in the end. Brava

    Nifty little dark comedy. Crisp dialogue and good action for a two hander. The widow is a surprise and I loved the mystery twist in the end. Brava

    ”
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CHARACTERS

VIVIAN HOWARD. age 30s-40s. High maintenance, proper etiquette, sickeningly sweet.
ARTHUR NELLIGAN. age 40s-50s. Articulate and refined. Dapper and sophisticated.

Development History

  • Reading, Bump in the Night Theatre - Campfire Nights Reading Series , 2024
  • Reading, Senior University of Greater Atlanta, GA, Zoom Reading, 2023
  • Reading, The Strollers Community Theatre, NJ, Four by Two - Virtual Staged Reading, 2020

Production History

  • University, Naugatuck Valley Community College, CT, Collection of Ten Minute Plays, 2026
  • University, West Texas A&M University, TX, Directing Class Spring Production, 2026
  • Community Theater, The Village Playbox, NJ, Act 1 Scene 1 – One Act Festival Weekend , 2025
  • University, Grinnell College, IA, One Act Play Festival, 2025
  • High School, Ruth Asawa School of the Arts, CA, Theatre Department Performance , 2024
  • University, Rider University, NJ, (Directing II) – Final Project , 2024
  • Community Theater, Sunrise Senior Center, FL, 2023
  • Community Theater, The Orange Players, CT, Board of Directors General Meeting - Reprisal Performance, 2023
  • High School, Northfield Mount Hermon Boarding School, MA, One-Act Play Festival, 2023
  • Professional, Theatrical Shenanigans Podcast, UK, 2023
  • University, Pennsylvania Western University, PA, Theatre Club One Act Play Festival , 2023
  • Community Theater, Phoenix Stage Oakville, CT, International One Act Play Festival , 2022
  • Community Theater, The Orange Players, CT, Acting Up! 2022 One Act Play Festival , 2022
  • High School, Niles West High School, IL, 2022
  • University, Central Washington University, 2022
  • Community Theater, Lionheart Theatre Company - Bewitching Halloween Short Play Festival, 2021
  • Community Theater, The Grange Playhouse, 2021
  • Professional, Gather by the Ghost Light Podcast, 2021