Ten Minutes On a Bench

by Kenneth Jones

A dating app called Ten Minutes On a Bench is the latest match-making craze, placing singles on a park bench to find common ground. The clock is ticking, but there’s no limit to the variety of quirky, heartbreaking and humane conversations between dozens of characters looking for love. A new romantic comedy about first impressions and last chances, drinkers and smokers, impulse and caution, conversation and...

A dating app called Ten Minutes On a Bench is the latest match-making craze, placing singles on a park bench to find common ground. The clock is ticking, but there’s no limit to the variety of quirky, heartbreaking and humane conversations between dozens of characters looking for love. A new romantic comedy about first impressions and last chances, drinkers and smokers, impulse and caution, conversation and chemistry. Laugh, cheer and cringe witnessing the universal urge to connect. Sometimes, it only takes ten minutes. (Ask for a perusal copy! Seeking development and production opportunities.)

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Set requirement: Blank stage with a park bench.

Ideal Cast: 8 (4W, 4M) - can be expanded to a large cast (potentially ideal for colleges and community theaters looking for many roles)

Perfect fit for a company looking for humane comedies in the tradition of Neil Simon and "Almost, Maine."

A two-act play with a prologue, epilogue and 17 separate two-hander (roughly ten-minute) scenes ideally designed for a cast of eight (4W, 4M) performing on/around a park bench. More than 30 characters.

In the eight-actor performance version, members of a diverse, protean company each play 4-5 scenes each.

Currently seeking development and production opportunities for an eight-performer iteration, the tracks of which are:

ACTOR 1 & ACTRESS 1: Ages 20s-30s
ACTOR 2 & ACTRESS 2: Ages 20s-40s
ACTOR 3 & ACTRESS 3: Ages 40s-50s
ACTOR 4 & ACTRESS 4: Ages 60s-70s

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>Minimum Cast: 8 (4W, 4M)
>Large Cast: An expanded cast of up to 343 people is possible, with author's permission. In theory, a school or community theater could present a large-cast presentation tailored to their best performers.
>A streamlined hybrid intermissionless version is also possible with author's approval.

The cast should represent a wide range of ages, body types, abilities, sexual orientations, races, ethnicities and genders.

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There is an epidemic of loneliness in the human race. Nature eventually urges us to find contact, chemistry and companionship with others. In the early 21st century, some people seek it through technology. The dating service called Ten Minutes On a Bench is not a hookup app for sex; its target is relationship-minded people who want a conversation first. Communication, especially when there’s a ticking clock, is rarely straightforward. Even when you think you’re prepared for the briefest chat, there are surprising sharp turns, dead ends, detours and derailments. This play is a pulse-taking of all kinds of people ready (or not) for relationships. At great risk, they put themselves out in the world in an effort to cure our great epidemic. If a lasting connection doesn’t result, maybe the memory of a misfired exchange or an amiable moment — of grace, kindness, hurt, surprise and laughter — will sustain and inspire them to do better next time, keep looking, keep reaching and keep hoping until they’re no longer alone.

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Ten Minutes On a Bench

Recommended by

  • Michelle Kholos Brooks: Ten Minutes On a Bench

    This is a play that you could watch all day long. Alternately hilarious and heartwarming, the revolving cast of characters features the friends we know and the people we want to meet. Ten Minutes on a Bench captures our yearning to connect. It reminds us that any two strangers could find common ground if only we'd take ten minutes. Highly recommend!

    This is a play that you could watch all day long. Alternately hilarious and heartwarming, the revolving cast of characters features the friends we know and the people we want to meet. Ten Minutes on a Bench captures our yearning to connect. It reminds us that any two strangers could find common ground if only we'd take ten minutes. Highly recommend!

  • Dominic Finocchiaro: Ten Minutes On a Bench

    Should be produced by every high school (and college, and regional theater) in America. Alternately hilarious and heartwarming and sad and thought-provoking--a buffet of dynamic two handers. A great vehicle for actors of all ages (perfect for scene studies) and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

    Should be produced by every high school (and college, and regional theater) in America. Alternately hilarious and heartwarming and sad and thought-provoking--a buffet of dynamic two handers. A great vehicle for actors of all ages (perfect for scene studies) and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Character Information

ACTOR 1 & ACTRESS 1: Ages 20s-30s
ACTOR 2 & ACTRESS 2: Ages 20s-40s
ACTOR 3 & ACTRESS 3: Ages 40s-50s
ACTOR 4 & ACTRESS 4: Ages 60s-70s
  • Mary (ACTRESS 2)
    Blunt, without a sense of humor, trying to avoid being as toxic as her mother was. Eager for a child, but with hidden apprehension.
    Character Age
    20s-30s, 20s-40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Grace (ACTRESS 2)
    Kind, somewhat wounded, with very little experience in relationships. Awkward, but not arrested.
    Character Age
    20s-40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Elizabeth (ACTRESS 4)
    Kind, warm, grown up, open, a retired teacher, a catch.
    Character Age
    60s-70s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Dave (ACTOR 4)
    Critical, insecure, unskilled at communication but pretends otherwise. Lonely. A widower. Grieving. Hyper-verbal so as to hide pain. Has issues with women, except for perhaps with his late wife. Unskilled at dating. His own worst enemy. Has had no therapy.
    Character Age
    40s-60s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Travis (ACTOR 3)
    Cosmopolitan, a city lover, possibly wealthy, seeks to solve problems rather than escape, but could use a break. Kind. A listener. Wondering where he belongs as he ages.
    Character Age
    40s-70s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Rose (ACTRESS 4)
    Accomplished, educated, well-read, smart, game, funny, mature, but anxious about growing old. Irish-Catholic widow who feels remote, removed, secluded.
    Character Age
    60s-70s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • John (ACTOR 1)
    A gym rat/party boy whose confidence hides loneliness, insecurity, self-loathing. Wants more as he’s getting older but unskilled about how to get it. Immature. Defensive. Coolly sexy.
    Character Age
    20s-30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Helen (ACTRESS 3)
    A patient listener, slow to boil, knows when to step away and will give a piece of her mind before doing it. Smart, together, has had some therapy.
    Character Age
    40s-60s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race/Ethnicity
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Abe (ACTOR 4)
    Accomplished, well-read, smart, game, funny, mature, old enough to speak the truth. Culturally Jewish but not observant.
    Character Age
    60s-70s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Ralph (ACTOR 2)
    Buttoned-up, charming, patient, emotionally mature, grown-up, maybe a former party boy.
    Character Age
    20s-40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Christine (ACTRESS 2)
    Smart, educated, open, a dreamer in cynic’s clothes, a romantic in denial.
    Character Age
    20s-40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Andrea (ACTRESS 1)
    Smart, curious, candid, funny, a theatergoer, a city dweller, not impulsive, wants to take it slow.
    Character Age
    20s-30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Lara (ACTRESS 3)
    Grim, salty, negative, angry, grieving but putting herself out there even though she’s not ready. Glimmers of humor and self-awareness surface.
    Character Age
    40s-50s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Jeff (ACTOR 2)
    Smart, educated, open, inquisitive, a cynic, practical.
    Character Age
    20s-40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Alan (ACTOR 2)
    Smart, curious, candid, funny, loves city life, impulsive.
    Character Age
    30s-40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Tim (ACTOR 2)
    Patient, game, curious, kind, has processes grief but shows the good character to not shut down someone else who's grieving.
    Character Age
    40s-50s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Andy (ACTOR 1)
    Jeans-and-graphic-t-shirt type. Clark Kent glasses. Casual, cool, sexy without knowing it. Liberal arts major. Comic book nerd. (Preferably with a forelock curl of hair that dangles over his forehead, as indicated in script.)
    Character Age
    20s-30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Sally (ACTRESS 4)
    Candid, charming, eager to talk, confident but touched by threads of guilt and regret. A storyteller.
    Character Age
    60
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Marcus (ACTOR 1)
    Cool, laid back, urban/blue collar bohemian, an artist who grew up in the city went to technical college. Gifted but does not flaunt it.
    Character Age
    20s-30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Maggie (ACTRESS 1)
    Slightly pretentious/condescending art history/grad school type, dressed crisply and stylishly for work. Put-together. Judgy. Tough but not unchangeable.
    Character Age
    20s-30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Becca (ACTRESS 3)
    Somewhat guarded, but once warmed up, candid, charming, eager to talk, confident but touched by threads of guilt and regret. A storyteller.
    Character Age
    40s-50s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Lee (ACTRESS 2)
    Cool, cocky, caffeinated, suburban/upper middle class bohemian, self-involved, pretentious, possibly gifted but leads with her resume, insecure under it all?
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Micki (ACTRESS 4)
    Loquacious, on guard, defensive, maybe a little buzzed or maybe hyped-up because she hasn’t had a drink, sleek.
    Character Age
    50s-70s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Tom (ACTOR 3)
    Salty, peevish, critical, insecure, unskilled at communication but tries. Lonely. His own worst enemy. Not self-aware. A quirky, earnest oddball. Not a cartoon. A cat owner.
    Character Age
    30s-50s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Hector (ACTOR 1)
    Charming, wily law student. Charismatic and quick on his feet, but his still-forming brain does not have all the answers.
    Character Age
    20s-30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Pat (ACTOR 3)
    Moderate, sober, patient, curious but not judgy. A listener, easily delighted.
    Character Age
    40s-50s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Sue (ACTRESS 1)
    A patient listener who can push back, slow to boil, not a doormat, curious but knows when to step away. A dog owner.
    Character Age
    20s-40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Joseph (ACTOR 4)
    A natural listener and therapist, but not a pushover. Seemingly settled but reflective of his past dysfunction. Kind. Patient but can be candid.
    Character Age
    40s-70s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Audrey (ACTRESS 3)
    Divorced mom, tough but vulnerable due to bruised vanity, pissed about being lied to, but ultimately generous. A Southern mama?
    Character Age
    40s-50s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Mike (ACTOR 4)
    Looks like a retired school teacher, a bit square, tweed jacket with patches. A good man. An innocent. New to dating apps.
    Character Age
    60s-70s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Rita (ACTRESS 4)
    Charming, warm, cosmopolitan, a city lover who is ready for a country life. Slightly guarded due to a secret. Aspirational.
    Character Age
    40s-70s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Larry (ACTOR 3)
    Kind, gentle, somewhat wounded, with very little experience in relationships. Awkward, shy, but not arrested.
    Character Age
    40s-50s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Betsy (ACTRESS 1)
    Perky, chatty, positive, warm, open, affectionate, doesn't know boundaries but not a threat, a young mom.
    Character Age
    20s-30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Female

Development History