He Ain’t No Stephen Adly Guirgis

by Kim E. Ruyle

[10-15 Minutes]
During an early rehearsal of a play, a dark mystery-horror mashup, an actor struggles with the shitty script she’s been given. She confronts her director which leads to surprising insights for both.

[10-15 Minutes]
During an early rehearsal of a play, a dark mystery-horror mashup, an actor struggles with the shitty script she’s been given. She confronts her director which leads to surprising insights for both.

  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

He Ain’t No Stephen Adly Guirgis

Recommended by

  • Aly Kantor: He Ain’t No Stephen Adly Guirgis

    Every theatre artist has been in a room with a bad script, an inexperienced director, or both, but this play takes this dreaded scenario and turns it into an ode to theatre as a collaborative art form! The characters are bright and specific, and the dialogue is full of big laughs and unexpected reversals. The moment when the actor and the director begin to work together and truly play is dynamic, and I could feel the renewed energy popping off the page!

    Every theatre artist has been in a room with a bad script, an inexperienced director, or both, but this play takes this dreaded scenario and turns it into an ode to theatre as a collaborative art form! The characters are bright and specific, and the dialogue is full of big laughs and unexpected reversals. The moment when the actor and the director begin to work together and truly play is dynamic, and I could feel the renewed energy popping off the page!

  • Andrew Martineau: He Ain’t No Stephen Adly Guirgis

    With sharp, clever dialogue, an insufferable diva performer and an insecure novice director who happens to be the playwright’s brother, Ruyle playfully shows us how theatre is a collaborative art form, even when the writer is inexplicably absent from the rehearsal process. I love the references to Guirgis and his brilliant writing, and the idea that a dog and an absurd premise could make it all work. There is also a fantastic line about a name rolling “around” on the tongue. Very funny play!

    With sharp, clever dialogue, an insufferable diva performer and an insecure novice director who happens to be the playwright’s brother, Ruyle playfully shows us how theatre is a collaborative art form, even when the writer is inexplicably absent from the rehearsal process. I love the references to Guirgis and his brilliant writing, and the idea that a dog and an absurd premise could make it all work. There is also a fantastic line about a name rolling “around” on the tongue. Very funny play!

  • John Busser: He Ain’t No Stephen Adly Guirgis

    Although the play in this instance is terrible, there is a whole world of creative difference when actors take a writer's words and bring them to life. I've seen bad scripts sing with great delivery and great work die when the opposite happens. Kim Ruyle knows of what he speaks here. This play is much smarter than just a play poking fun at a bad script. Art of this kind is truly a collaboration (even when one side doesn't quite know it.) Lean into the badness here, and you'll have an awesome time!

    Although the play in this instance is terrible, there is a whole world of creative difference when actors take a writer's words and bring them to life. I've seen bad scripts sing with great delivery and great work die when the opposite happens. Kim Ruyle knows of what he speaks here. This play is much smarter than just a play poking fun at a bad script. Art of this kind is truly a collaboration (even when one side doesn't quite know it.) Lean into the badness here, and you'll have an awesome time!

View all 5 recommendations

Production History

  • Type Community Theater, Organization The Players' Ring Theatre, Year 2024
  • Type Fringe, Organization Broadway Theatre - De Pere, Wisconsin. 24-Hour Play Festival., Year 2023