Stuck

by Jon Aylward

While job-hunting in a downtown high-rise the power goes out, leaving Jill and Ryan stranded in an elevator. Their initial concern is escape but we soon learn they have a prior history and have been estranged for some time. As the hours pass and their situation grows dire, they are forced to confront their demons.

While job-hunting in a downtown high-rise the power goes out, leaving Jill and Ryan stranded in an elevator. Their initial concern is escape but we soon learn they have a prior history and have been estranged for some time. As the hours pass and their situation grows dire, they are forced to confront their demons.

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Stuck

Recommended by

  • Charles Scott Jones: Stuck by Jon Aylward
    “

    STUCK by Jon Aylward is impressively understated and patient in its evocation of this character story, Jill and Ryan stranded in an elevator. Jon expertly leaves out the obligatory drama of being trapped in favor of deeper, more resonating dialogue. This short efficient play is generous in the room it leaves the actors between the lines to explore their characters. It would be awesome to see it many times with different casts. The ending is surprising, inevitable, and very much earned. [7-7-26]

    STUCK by Jon Aylward is impressively understated and patient in its evocation of this character story, Jill and Ryan stranded in an elevator. Jon expertly leaves out the obligatory drama of being trapped in favor of deeper, more resonating dialogue. This short efficient play is generous in the room it leaves the actors between the lines to explore their characters. It would be awesome to see it many times with different casts. The ending is surprising, inevitable, and very much earned. [7-7-26]

    ”
  • Morey Norkin: Stuck by Jon Aylward
    “

    STUCK is an apt title as these two characters are indeed stuck in an elevator. It’s also a metaphor for the challenges they both have faced long after their romantic relationship ended. Ryan has clearly been unable to move on while Jill, rather than moving on, appears to have merely settled. Jon Aylward has given us two engaging characters. The more we learn about them, the more we hope they might have a second chance, or at least become unstuck.

    STUCK is an apt title as these two characters are indeed stuck in an elevator. It’s also a metaphor for the challenges they both have faced long after their romantic relationship ended. Ryan has clearly been unable to move on while Jill, rather than moving on, appears to have merely settled. Jon Aylward has given us two engaging characters. The more we learn about them, the more we hope they might have a second chance, or at least become unstuck.

    ”
- Ryan (male presenting, 20-25)
- Jill (female presenting, 20-25)

Production History

  • University, UNCO One Act Festival (University of Northern Colorado), 2026
  • University, Drama Students' Association (University of Saskatchewan), 2024
  • Fringe, St. John's Shorts, 2017