Sugar

by Jennifer O'Grady

Published in THE BEST TEN-MINUTE PLAYS 2023 (Smith and Kraus) and STAGE IT! 7
2024 Audience-Choice Award in Authenticity Theater's Authentic !0 Festival
2023 Finalist for the 2023 Gary Garrison Playwriting Award
Selected for LFT's "Pick of the Vine," Lakeshore Players 10-Minute Play Festival, New Deal's 10x20, Stageworks One-Act Festival, Fern Street Festival and other productions

(10 Min) Lilia is startled...

Published in THE BEST TEN-MINUTE PLAYS 2023 (Smith and Kraus) and STAGE IT! 7
2024 Audience-Choice Award in Authenticity Theater's Authentic !0 Festival
2023 Finalist for the 2023 Gary Garrison Playwriting Award
Selected for LFT's "Pick of the Vine," Lakeshore Players 10-Minute Play Festival, New Deal's 10x20, Stageworks One-Act Festival, Fern Street Festival and other productions

(10 Min) Lilia is startled when her new neighbor Jaden knocks on her door and asks to borrow sugar. But Jaden has an urgent ulterior motive that has nothing to do with sugar, and everything to do with Lilia.

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Sugar

Recommended by

  • Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend: Sugar

    This is an incredible example of how to construct a short play! An overly friendly neighbor asks to borrow some sugar, but that's not really what the play is about, and the subtext runs all the way through it to the reveal at the end. What a fabulous piece!

    This is an incredible example of how to construct a short play! An overly friendly neighbor asks to borrow some sugar, but that's not really what the play is about, and the subtext runs all the way through it to the reveal at the end. What a fabulous piece!

  • David Hilder: Sugar

    Taut and tense -- in the best possible ways. There's an eerie feeling to the early going that is more than paid for by the turn the story takes. Excellent writing, a deep well of feeling masked by what sounds like the most mundane conversation. Just great.

    Taut and tense -- in the best possible ways. There's an eerie feeling to the early going that is more than paid for by the turn the story takes. Excellent writing, a deep well of feeling masked by what sounds like the most mundane conversation. Just great.

  • Aly Kantor: Sugar

    Immaculately constructed, O'Grady seamlessly transforms a mundane scenario into a moment of gorgeous, humanity-affirming connection. The dialogue is spare and realistic, with just enough quiet subtext to clue the audience in that something is not quite typical about this interaction between neighbors. The reversal will take your breath away and make you believe in the kindness of strangers. Gorgeous, important, empowering, and impressively efficient, this short is a moving, affecting powerhouse!

    Immaculately constructed, O'Grady seamlessly transforms a mundane scenario into a moment of gorgeous, humanity-affirming connection. The dialogue is spare and realistic, with just enough quiet subtext to clue the audience in that something is not quite typical about this interaction between neighbors. The reversal will take your breath away and make you believe in the kindness of strangers. Gorgeous, important, empowering, and impressively efficient, this short is a moving, affecting powerhouse!

View all 30 recommendations

Character Information

  • Jaden
    A woman of any age
  • Lilia
    A woman of any age

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Cosmic Orchid Honor Roll/Sundays at Westbeth (NYC), Year 2024
  • Type Reading, Organization City Theatre (Miami, FL), Year 2024
  • Type Reading, Organization Fern Street Play Festival (CT), Year 2024
  • Type Reading, Organization Rockford New Words, The West Side Show Room (IL), Year 2022

Production History

  • Type High School, Organization Northwestern High School (MD), Year 2025
  • Type High School, Organization Liberty Bell High School (WA), Year 2024
  • Type Professional, Organization Authenticity Theatre (Atlanta), Year 2024
  • Type Professional, Organization Stageworks One-Act Jamboree (NJ), Year 2024
  • Type University, Organization Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Year 2024
  • Type Professional, Organization Little Fish Theatre's "Pick of the Vine" (CA), Year 2023
  • Type Professional, Organization The New Deal Creative Arts Center (NY), Year 2023
  • Type Professional, Organization Lakeshore Players 10-Minute Play Festival (MN), Year 2022

Awards

  • Authentic Ten Showcase
    Authenticity Theatre
    Audience Choice
    2024
  • Publication
    STAGE IT! 7: Thirty 10-Minute Plays
    Selection
    2023
  • Publication
    THE BEST TEN-MINUTE PLAYS 2023, Smith & Kraus
    Selection
    2023
  • Stage It! Play Competition
    Center for the Arts, Bonita Springs
    Winner
    2023
  • The Gary Garrison Playwriting Award for Ten-Minute Plays
    Finalist
    2023
  • Pick of the Vine 2023
    Little Fish Theatre
    Selection
  • Rockford New Words/Words on Women
    The West Side Show Room
    Selection
    2022
  • Lakeshore Players 10-Minute Play Contest
    Winner
    2022