Jean Ciampi

Jean Ciampi is a playwright, humorist and corporate communicator based in Houston, Texas. Mentored by Canadian playwright Sharon Pollock, she wrote her first full-length play, "Potato Gumbo," while living in Saudi Arabia. Jean is winner of the 2024 Robert J. Pickering/JR Colbeck Award for Playwriting Excellence and is a 2024 Veterans Repertory Theatre grant recipient. A member of the Dramatists Guild of America and the 2022 Kennedy Center Playwriting Intensive, she is also a founder of the T43 Playwrights Collective based in New York City and remains active in many aspects of the Houston theatre community. Find more about Jean Ciampi at TheWriterJean.com.

Jean Ciampi is a playwright, humorist and corporate communicator based in Houston, Texas. Mentored by Canadian playwright Sharon Pollock, she wrote her first full-length play, "Potato Gumbo," while living in Saudi Arabia. Jean is winner of the 2024 Robert J. Pickering/JR Colbeck Award for Playwriting Excellence and is a 2024 Veterans Repertory Theatre grant recipient. A member of the Dramatists Guild of America and the 2022 Kennedy Center Playwriting Intensive, she is also a founder of the T43 Playwrights Collective based in New York City and remains active in many aspects of the Houston theatre community. Find more about Jean Ciampi at TheWriterJean.com.

Scripts

Righteous Dude of Benevolence

by Jean Ciampi

Synopsis

He's not a guardian angel. He's not a fairy godmother -- or a godfather, for that matter. Definitely not a godfather. He doesn't even know any Sicilians! But Marcy's RDB -- her Righteous Dude of Benevolence -- is ready to drop her a solid and grant her one wish. It'll be her ex-boyfriend Blaine, however, who really gets fired up over it in the end!

He's not a guardian angel. He's not a fairy godmother -- or a godfather, for that matter. Definitely not a godfather. He doesn't even know any Sicilians! But Marcy's RDB -- her Righteous Dude of Benevolence -- is ready to drop her a solid and grant her one wish. It'll be her ex-boyfriend Blaine, however, who really gets fired up over it in the end!

We've All Asked

by Jean Ciampi

Synopsis

(ONE MINUTE) The time has come, as it does for us all, for Mindy to confront her father about a question that has plagued her most of her young life.

(ONE MINUTE) The time has come, as it does for us all, for Mindy to confront her father about a question that has plagued her most of her young life.

Heart of the Matter

by Jean Ciampi

Synopsis

A heart-to-heart conversation in cardiac pre-op reveals a crazy spike in anxiety over flat-lining confidence as Howard and Toby take a beat to deal with the pressure of surgery!

A heart-to-heart conversation in cardiac pre-op reveals a crazy spike in anxiety over flat-lining confidence as Howard and Toby take a beat to deal with the pressure of surgery!

Devil in the Details

by Jean Ciampi

Synopsis

“It’s not like there’s a Hallmark card reminding us that Satanic Appreciation Week is coming up.”

After a Supreme Court ruling has granted the right, Satan wants to submit an application to fly a flag over Boston’s City Hall Plaza in celebration of Satanic Appreciation Week. Has he met his match, though, in government employee Brenda and been sent to bureaucracy hell?

“It’s not like there’s a Hallmark card reminding us that Satanic Appreciation Week is coming up.”

After a Supreme Court ruling has granted the right, Satan wants to submit an application to fly a flag over Boston’s City Hall Plaza in celebration of Satanic Appreciation Week. Has he met his match, though, in government employee Brenda and been sent to bureaucracy hell?

Unboxed

by Jean Ciampi

Synopsis

With a box of failed or abandoned projects beside her, Willa struggles to overcome the internal demons of being a writer. A past and current character of her own creation demand accountability in a comedic showdown that escalates until a more reasonable voice settles the score.

"We both know that stabbing the bimbo with an icicle so the murder weapon melted was stupid." ~ Willa

With a box of failed or abandoned projects beside her, Willa struggles to overcome the internal demons of being a writer. A past and current character of her own creation demand accountability in a comedic showdown that escalates until a more reasonable voice settles the score.

"We both know that stabbing the bimbo with an icicle so the murder weapon melted was stupid." ~ Willa

Morto D. Gatto

by Jean Ciampi

Synopsis

Brindy isn't keen on renting Chris's garage apartment with the ghost of a former cat in the attic, although her friend Thor may have a solution that benefits him all too well. When the ghost cat's away, will the ghost mice play?

Brindy isn't keen on renting Chris's garage apartment with the ghost of a former cat in the attic, although her friend Thor may have a solution that benefits him all too well. When the ghost cat's away, will the ghost mice play?

Yazoo, Miss'ssippi

by Jean Ciampi

Synopsis

Yazoo, Mississippi is an actual town located on the Yazoo River. Its name comes from a
Choctaw Indian word meaning "River of Death." This is a fact. No one can make that up. It's
begging to be a comedy. Alex Halldorson arrives in the middle of Newt-a-Yazoo-la, the annual
festival celebrating the local winged newts. He's there to build relationships between
his company and the local community, but the...

Yazoo, Mississippi is an actual town located on the Yazoo River. Its name comes from a
Choctaw Indian word meaning "River of Death." This is a fact. No one can make that up. It's
begging to be a comedy. Alex Halldorson arrives in the middle of Newt-a-Yazoo-la, the annual
festival celebrating the local winged newts. He's there to build relationships between
his company and the local community, but the relationships he discovers are not the ones
he expects. Family lies, broken ties and why won't those Yazoo -- who zoo -- Yazoo winged
newts fly?

Genie-ology

by Jean Ciampi

Synopsis

Win Edgars believes if he can prove an impressive ancestral lineage, he has a shot at dating Bethany Harris. His hopes are pinned on Leslie Pressly, a “genealogist” he found through a Facebook ad. When his Puritan grandmother appears in the flesh with a burning vendetta, he’s in over his head. Which witch will win Win in this 20-minute comical romp?

Win Edgars believes if he can prove an impressive ancestral lineage, he has a shot at dating Bethany Harris. His hopes are pinned on Leslie Pressly, a “genealogist” he found through a Facebook ad. When his Puritan grandmother appears in the flesh with a burning vendetta, he’s in over his head. Which witch will win Win in this 20-minute comical romp?

Expiration Date

by Jean Ciampi

Synopsis

Bill, an eligible older man with a pension and the ability to drive at night, is giving speed dating a test drive. At his age, there’s no time to waste as the expiration date on his prospects is approaching fast!

Bill, an eligible older man with a pension and the ability to drive at night, is giving speed dating a test drive. At his age, there’s no time to waste as the expiration date on his prospects is approaching fast!

8 Floors and Counting

by Jean Ciampi

Synopsis

Zero vacation days and you haven’t earned any dead days yet.

Tyler has plummeted 8 floors in the elevator. When the doors open, he encounters a saucy and sultry Lucy, who is hell-bent on showing him how far he has really fallen, and Gabe, who doesn’t have much of a prayer for building the counter-case. Will Tyler roast? Is Gabe barking up the wrong tree? The answer comes in a comic turn-of-events in this snappy...

Zero vacation days and you haven’t earned any dead days yet.

Tyler has plummeted 8 floors in the elevator. When the doors open, he encounters a saucy and sultry Lucy, who is hell-bent on showing him how far he has really fallen, and Gabe, who doesn’t have much of a prayer for building the counter-case. Will Tyler roast? Is Gabe barking up the wrong tree? The answer comes in a comic turn-of-events in this snappy 10-minute play where actors must quickly create multiple characters.

The Good Box

by Jean Ciampi

Synopsis

IVY is middle-aged and up until now has checked all the right boxes. She has a cardboard box that is the “perfect size.”

IVY is middle-aged and up until now has checked all the right boxes. She has a cardboard box that is the “perfect size.”

Eyes of the Storm

by Jean Ciampi

Synopsis

Patrick, a salt-worn third generation shrimper, prepares to face down an intensifying Gulf hurricane, but ill winds blow no good. The Emergency Management agent arriving with the evacuation directives is unaware of an even greater threat. Only one man will survive the storm.

Patrick, a salt-worn third generation shrimper, prepares to face down an intensifying Gulf hurricane, but ill winds blow no good. The Emergency Management agent arriving with the evacuation directives is unaware of an even greater threat. Only one man will survive the storm.

Dad Gum It

by Jean Ciampi

Synopsis

It's Christy's wedding day and her mother, Lyla, couldn't be more excited to welcome the wonderful Michael to the family. Clare, funeral director turned bridesmaid, is less than super with the glue when a dental disaster happens. Will bridges be burned, though, over a broken bridge? Or will Christy crumble?

It's Christy's wedding day and her mother, Lyla, couldn't be more excited to welcome the wonderful Michael to the family. Clare, funeral director turned bridesmaid, is less than super with the glue when a dental disaster happens. Will bridges be burned, though, over a broken bridge? Or will Christy crumble?

So, About the Heat

by Jean Ciampi

Synopsis

Piper Edwards’s ex-husband told her she didn’t have the guts to even have dinner alone. Determined to prove him wrong, she’s at 11,200 feet elevation in Nepal with new, yak wool mittens and a bit of a problem. Can a Midwestern mom rediscover herself on Everest or will her determination to realize dreams bigger than Des Moines, Iowa get flushed down the toilet?

Piper Edwards’s ex-husband told her she didn’t have the guts to even have dinner alone. Determined to prove him wrong, she’s at 11,200 feet elevation in Nepal with new, yak wool mittens and a bit of a problem. Can a Midwestern mom rediscover herself on Everest or will her determination to realize dreams bigger than Des Moines, Iowa get flushed down the toilet?

Tom: A Momalogue

by Jean Ciampi

Synopsis

A monologue for the mother who has survived that second child's antics: A momologue.

A monologue for the mother who has survived that second child's antics: A momologue.

Storm Clouds

by Jean Ciampi

Synopsis

A third-generation, Gulf of Mexico shrimper, Patrick knows well the potential of the hurricanes that stalk the Texas coast in the late summer months. He knows, too, that the greater threat is not the approaching storm but the secrets he keeps. An unexpected gift could be his escape.

A third-generation, Gulf of Mexico shrimper, Patrick knows well the potential of the hurricanes that stalk the Texas coast in the late summer months. He knows, too, that the greater threat is not the approaching storm but the secrets he keeps. An unexpected gift could be his escape.

Face of Rebuilding

by Jean Ciampi

Synopsis

Everything couldn’t be more perfect for Anna Lisa, an athletic successful high school junior. Until it’s not. She’s pretty, popular and dating her ultimate crush. Or she was until a rash decision changed it all.

Everything couldn’t be more perfect for Anna Lisa, an athletic successful high school junior. Until it’s not. She’s pretty, popular and dating her ultimate crush. Or she was until a rash decision changed it all.

Adapting

by Jean Ciampi

Synopsis

Justin and Audrey have made a bold and controversial decision for their relationship and the future of their family. Will it ruin the holidays forever?

Justin and Audrey have made a bold and controversial decision for their relationship and the future of their family. Will it ruin the holidays forever?

Paybacks

by Jean Ciampi

Synopsis

Kelly is dumbfounded by how her new relationship has turned sour so quickly. Her friend, Debra, is ready to offer advice, but a surprising solution has already been determined!

Kelly is dumbfounded by how her new relationship has turned sour so quickly. Her friend, Debra, is ready to offer advice, but a surprising solution has already been determined!

The Bold and Bob

by Jean Ciampi

Synopsis

~ “A colonoscopy isn’t the worst thing that can happen to a man.” ~

“Bob-O”, a high school teacher with the spine of a jellyfish, returns to Normal, Illinois to find that nothing is normal anymore after the sudden passing of his mother, Mariam O’Kineski. Forced to face planning her funeral, he must navigate the Vietnam veteran angling for Mariam’s corner apartment and the building manager angling for a wedding...

~ “A colonoscopy isn’t the worst thing that can happen to a man.” ~

“Bob-O”, a high school teacher with the spine of a jellyfish, returns to Normal, Illinois to find that nothing is normal anymore after the sudden passing of his mother, Mariam O’Kineski. Forced to face planning her funeral, he must navigate the Vietnam veteran angling for Mariam’s corner apartment and the building manager angling for a wedding ring. The aging flower child across the hall is hell-bent to steamroll the funeral plans (which may or may not include the funeral director’s taco truck, the Rolly Guacamole). When Mariam’s boss arrives, however, everything Bob-O thought he knew about his mother unravels. He’ll be making a grave mistake if he thinks his mother’s legacy is what she’s left in her will as Mariam’s final gift to Bob will be much more “bold and brave.”

A Very Holly Moosemas

by Jean Ciampi

Synopsis

It’s August in Atlanta but Holly Anderson is convinced she can transform a movie set into a wooded, mountain Christmas masterpiece. With the blessed assistance of a scotch-drinking retired nun, she has to navigate the crotchety host of her AirBnB, an unexpected case of salmonella, and a Scrooge of a boss. If she could only find her phone. Joy is where you create it – even unconventionally – in this high energy...

It’s August in Atlanta but Holly Anderson is convinced she can transform a movie set into a wooded, mountain Christmas masterpiece. With the blessed assistance of a scotch-drinking retired nun, she has to navigate the crotchety host of her AirBnB, an unexpected case of salmonella, and a Scrooge of a boss. If she could only find her phone. Joy is where you create it – even unconventionally – in this high energy, off-season holiday romp.

Potato Gumbo

by Jean Ciampi

Synopsis

“You don’t quit having dreams because you get old.”

A touchingly honest and, at times, zany look at the potentially brutal challenges of aging, "Potato Gumbo" tells the poignant story of Gretchen and Thomas, her dream, an ill-gotten pair of handcuffs, a diagnosis, and the adult children who must walk the delicate line of parenting their parents.

Gretchen Nelson could create the ideal gumbo recipe utilizing...

“You don’t quit having dreams because you get old.”

A touchingly honest and, at times, zany look at the potentially brutal challenges of aging, "Potato Gumbo" tells the poignant story of Gretchen and Thomas, her dream, an ill-gotten pair of handcuffs, a diagnosis, and the adult children who must walk the delicate line of parenting their parents.

Gretchen Nelson could create the ideal gumbo recipe utilizing the unlikely ingredient of potato if she could only get from her Central Texas retirement community to the famed School of Cooking in New Orleans. Thomas Trahan, already caught by her whimsical charms and light-fingered ways, is drawn into Gretchen’s off-beat schemes. Their initial plan, a late night, impromptu road trip to the Big Easy, has been aborted with their unfortunate return back home under police escort.

As a result, more darkly serious issues begin to quickly bubble up. Is Gretchen’s “whimsy,” in fact, a looming cloud of declining mental faculties or worse? How much can one old heart endure? And when must elderly care end and control begin?

Throw in an overbearing daughter hell-bent on saving Gretchen from herself, Thomas’s well-meaning son, a couple of helpful and hilarious friends and a dictatorial manageress, and you have a recipe for a very real and gently comic serving of the daunting challenges of getting older.