Christian St. Croix

Christian St. Croix explores stage storytelling by salting lo-fi realism with a sense of strange wonder. A queer, Black playwright with working-class roots, the San Diego-based artist has been making waves with his breakout, award-winning play "Monsters of the American Cinema." As the LA Times’ Charles McNulty noted, St. Croix brings “grit” and “capacious empathy” to the stage, with a dash of surrealism. He’s not slowing down either—his O'Neill Finalist play "We Are the Forgotten Beasts" and the ’90s-inspired deep dive "ZACH" have both garnered serious attention, the latter being hailed by The Seattle Times as a “nostalgic yet probing exploration of belonging.” His work has been embraced by theaters known for championing new work, like Rogue Machine Theatre, Diversionary Theatre, and...

Christian St. Croix explores stage storytelling by salting lo-fi realism with a sense of strange wonder. A queer, Black playwright with working-class roots, the San Diego-based artist has been making waves with his breakout, award-winning play "Monsters of the American Cinema." As the LA Times’ Charles McNulty noted, St. Croix brings “grit” and “capacious empathy” to the stage, with a dash of surrealism. He’s not slowing down either—his O'Neill Finalist play "We Are the Forgotten Beasts" and the ’90s-inspired deep dive "ZACH" have both garnered serious attention, the latter being hailed by The Seattle Times as a “nostalgic yet probing exploration of belonging.” His work has been embraced by theaters known for championing new work, like Rogue Machine Theatre, Diversionary Theatre, and ArtsWest Playhouse. With accolades like the Carlo Annoni International Playwriting Prize and the Dominic Orlando Playwriting Award under his belt, and his latest project, "We Lovers," in the pipeline, St. Croix is quietly but unmistakably making his mark on the landscape of American theatre.

Scripts

Monsters of the American Cinema

by Christian St. Croix

Synopsis

FULL LENGTH. After the death of his husband, Remy Washington, a Black man, inherits a drive-in movie theater and takes on the responsibility of raising his late husband’s straight, white teenage son, Pup. The two bond over their love of classic monster movies, but their relationship begins to unravel when Remy discovers Pup is bullying a gay classmate. Charles McNulty of the "Los Angeles Times" calls "Monsters...

FULL LENGTH. After the death of his husband, Remy Washington, a Black man, inherits a drive-in movie theater and takes on the responsibility of raising his late husband’s straight, white teenage son, Pup. The two bond over their love of classic monster movies, but their relationship begins to unravel when Remy discovers Pup is bullying a gay classmate. Charles McNulty of the "Los Angeles Times" calls "Monsters of the American Cinema" "exhilarating," praising its "grit" and "capacious empathy." This haunting, eerie and humorous slice-of-life drama explores fatherhood, loss, and the monsters we carry inside.

CURRENT DRAFT: The Green Draft - 10-7-24

We Are the Forgotten Beasts

by Christian St. Croix

Synopsis

FULL LENGTH. Archie, a buttoned-up bookstore owner on the edge, rescues his bruised stepbrother Nick from a reckless cross-state drug spree. They find lodging in a remote Mojave Desert motel, where they meet Bonnie, a grieving housekeeper longing for a touch of magic, and Luis, a rodeo cowboy who recently discovered he has a daughter. Bound by their shared isolation, these four lost souls escape into the...

FULL LENGTH. Archie, a buttoned-up bookstore owner on the edge, rescues his bruised stepbrother Nick from a reckless cross-state drug spree. They find lodging in a remote Mojave Desert motel, where they meet Bonnie, a grieving housekeeper longing for a touch of magic, and Luis, a rodeo cowboy who recently discovered he has a daughter. Bound by their shared isolation, these four lost souls escape into the fantastical worlds of their childhoods, embarking on a quirky, moving journey of connection, redemption, and forgiveness beneath the desert’s starlit sky.

"We Are the Forgotten Beasts", a 2022 O'Neill Finalist, blends magical realism with slice-of-life storytelling in a fantasy-drama about the lost stories we may find again as we grow up.

We Lovers

by Christian St. Croix

Synopsis

FULL LENGTH. In a moonlit clearing deep in the woods, where the songs of crickets and cicadas fill the night air, four small-town neighbors gather to share extraordinary tales of romance, horror and fantasy. By the glow of lanterns, amidst the sweep of drop cloths and the charm of folksy odds and ends, they weave imaginative love stories that transcend time and reality. Experience a man enchanted by an angel...

FULL LENGTH. In a moonlit clearing deep in the woods, where the songs of crickets and cicadas fill the night air, four small-town neighbors gather to share extraordinary tales of romance, horror and fantasy. By the glow of lanterns, amidst the sweep of drop cloths and the charm of folksy odds and ends, they weave imaginative love stories that transcend time and reality. Experience a man enchanted by an angel bound to Earth, a woman braving a desert of monsters for her ghostly beloved, a final girl from an '80s slasher making the ultimate sacrifice, and childhood sweethearts racing against a falling sky. "We Lovers" takes audiences on a spellbinding journey, blending slice-of-life storytelling with homespun magic to celebrate the enduring power of love.

*Formerly a one-act, now a full length*

LATEST DRAFT: 6-11-24

ZACH

by Christian St. Croix

Synopsis

FULL LENGTH. A satirical comedy that lovingly skewers the popular tropes of the 90s teen sitcom, "ZACH" introduces us to the lives and loves of two teens of color at an affluent, majority-white Southern Californian high school. P.J., a lovesick surfer boy, and Gina, a budding fashionista, are overjoyed when they're invited into the inner circle of Zach, the white, charismatic, prank-happy new kid at school. But...

FULL LENGTH. A satirical comedy that lovingly skewers the popular tropes of the 90s teen sitcom, "ZACH" introduces us to the lives and loves of two teens of color at an affluent, majority-white Southern Californian high school. P.J., a lovesick surfer boy, and Gina, a budding fashionista, are overjoyed when they're invited into the inner circle of Zach, the white, charismatic, prank-happy new kid at school. But when Zach plans a prank that goes too far, P.J. and Gina must race to stop him before it's too late - and along the way, learn to see their peers, and themselves, with fresh eyes.

CURRENT DRAFT: The Best Friend Draft - 10-19-23

Nettle

by Christian St. Croix

Synopsis

ONE ACT. In a city where supernatural beings hide among humans, a young witch's public display of magic puts their secret world at risk. Pearl, leader of the ghosts, calls a meeting with Kyle, the stubborn leader of the witches, Anthony, the empathetic leader of the werewolves, and Nico, the rebellious leader of the vampires. As they debate the young witch's fate, old tensions and relationships resurface....

ONE ACT. In a city where supernatural beings hide among humans, a young witch's public display of magic puts their secret world at risk. Pearl, leader of the ghosts, calls a meeting with Kyle, the stubborn leader of the witches, Anthony, the empathetic leader of the werewolves, and Nico, the rebellious leader of the vampires. As they debate the young witch's fate, old tensions and relationships resurface. "Nettle" reveals how the extraordinary can touch even the most ordinary lives.

LATEST DRAFT: 6/23/24

Formerly titled, "The Oakland Society of Supernatural Beings" and "Rosemary"

Normal Heights

by Christian St. Croix

Synopsis

ONE ACT. Simple homes. Quiet streets. An ice cream shop. A record shop. A coffee shop. The faces are friendly. The schools are clean. A nice little neighborhood. But don't look too closely. Things are not what they seem. Beneath the neon blue lighted neighborhood sign on the intersection of Adams Avenue and Felton Street, a welcoming committee gathers in the middle of the night to tell bizarre stories of sci-fi...

ONE ACT. Simple homes. Quiet streets. An ice cream shop. A record shop. A coffee shop. The faces are friendly. The schools are clean. A nice little neighborhood. But don't look too closely. Things are not what they seem. Beneath the neon blue lighted neighborhood sign on the intersection of Adams Avenue and Felton Street, a welcoming committee gathers in the middle of the night to tell bizarre stories of sci-fi, fantasy and horror, all set in the historical San Diego, California neighborhood of Normal Heights.

Current Draft: The Mars Draft - 3/10/23

The Pros and Cons of Feeding Stray Cats

by Christian St. Croix

Synopsis

ONE ACT. When Quincy is assigned to work with Victor in a weekend program for teenagers who have been arrested for drug related crimes, a friendship is the last thing she sees with him. The pair soon discover two stray cats in need of food, and Quincy finds that she and Victor may work well together after all. "The Pros and Cons of Feeding Stray Cats" is a humorous and heartbreaking tale about friendship...

ONE ACT. When Quincy is assigned to work with Victor in a weekend program for teenagers who have been arrested for drug related crimes, a friendship is the last thing she sees with him. The pair soon discover two stray cats in need of food, and Quincy finds that she and Victor may work well together after all. "The Pros and Cons of Feeding Stray Cats" is a humorous and heartbreaking tale about friendship, choices and cats.

Note: This is a play for teen audiences meant to fit within a class period or school assembly, but all theatres are welcome to take it on.

Cricket Hollow

by Christian St. Croix

Synopsis

ONE ACT. In this twist on our most beloved fairy tales, four actors in street clothes use hand puppets, Zippo lighters, plastic Halloween masks and steel folding chairs to tell the lost story of Prince Charming.

Prince Charm has a magical gift: he can break curses with his kiss. He’s the go-to royal for lifting sleeping spells on helpless maidens. When Charm dreams of his own magical kiss, however...it's not...

ONE ACT. In this twist on our most beloved fairy tales, four actors in street clothes use hand puppets, Zippo lighters, plastic Halloween masks and steel folding chairs to tell the lost story of Prince Charming.

Prince Charm has a magical gift: he can break curses with his kiss. He’s the go-to royal for lifting sleeping spells on helpless maidens. When Charm dreams of his own magical kiss, however...it's not from a maiden.

While crossing an enchanted forest to attend a ball in a neighboring kingdom, Charm and his faithful pet cricket rescue a handsome, red-hooded rogue from the jaws of a vengeful wolf. As the trio journey through the rest of the forest together, an adventure ensues, new friends are made and a secret is revealed.

*Currently being revised, come back soon
*Formerly titled, "Princes."

But This Is Us From Here

by Christian St. Croix

Synopsis

10 MINUTE. At a cozy Disneyland dining table, Erica, a recently released woman grappling with the complexities of her past, tries to reconnect with her distant teenaged son, Julian. Through shared slices of pizza, Julian introduces Erica to Princess Tiana, a Disney icon she missed during her time behind bars. "But This Is Us From Here" is a stirring exploration of redemption, second chances, and the enduring...

10 MINUTE. At a cozy Disneyland dining table, Erica, a recently released woman grappling with the complexities of her past, tries to reconnect with her distant teenaged son, Julian. Through shared slices of pizza, Julian introduces Erica to Princess Tiana, a Disney icon she missed during her time behind bars. "But This Is Us From Here" is a stirring exploration of redemption, second chances, and the enduring magic of the bond shared between a mother and her son.

Latest Draft: 6/23/24

Formerly titled, "Tiana" and "T."

Darth & Luke

by Christian St. Croix

Synopsis

10 MINUTE. Darwin and Lucas, brothers and b-boys, were on the rise to early 2000s fame as dance duo, Darth and Luke. But when Darwin came out of the closet on live television, it put an end both to their dreams of stardom and their relationship. Years later, Lucas makes an unexpected visit to the Los Angeles pizza shop Darwin runs with his husband, Yona, offering a proposal and hiding a secret.

10 MINUTE. Darwin and Lucas, brothers and b-boys, were on the rise to early 2000s fame as dance duo, Darth and Luke. But when Darwin came out of the closet on live television, it put an end both to their dreams of stardom and their relationship. Years later, Lucas makes an unexpected visit to the Los Angeles pizza shop Darwin runs with his husband, Yona, offering a proposal and hiding a secret.

Keoni

by Christian St. Croix

Synopsis

10 MINUTE. You lead us through a series of micro-vignettes starring your man-child boyfriend, Keoni. Keoni dreams of Jay-Z riding the back of a manatee. Keoni won't throw his socks away, even though one has a hole on the toe of it. Keoni’s detector app spots a ghost right next to you. Keoni told your mother you were adopting twins. Keoni tests your patience, but you love him.

10 MINUTE. You lead us through a series of micro-vignettes starring your man-child boyfriend, Keoni. Keoni dreams of Jay-Z riding the back of a manatee. Keoni won't throw his socks away, even though one has a hole on the toe of it. Keoni’s detector app spots a ghost right next to you. Keoni told your mother you were adopting twins. Keoni tests your patience, but you love him.

You're Working the Checkout at Albertsons

by Christian St. Croix

Synopsis

“ ...pitched somewhere between 'Welcome to Night Vale' and Tennessee Williams... ” - The Daily Princetonian

10 MINUTE. A grocery store clerk leads you through a series of touching and hilarious second-person vignettes. The hot guy who works across the street buys a can of AriZona Iced Tea and a pack of Juicy Fruit. A customer drops her bottle of Barefoot Chardonnay. The hot girl who works across the street buys...

“ ...pitched somewhere between 'Welcome to Night Vale' and Tennessee Williams... ” - The Daily Princetonian

10 MINUTE. A grocery store clerk leads you through a series of touching and hilarious second-person vignettes. The hot guy who works across the street buys a can of AriZona Iced Tea and a pack of Juicy Fruit. A customer drops her bottle of Barefoot Chardonnay. The hot girl who works across the street buys a bottle of Diet Pepsi. Your co-worker adopts an alien. You slip into a parallel universe where everyone has the head of a tabby cat. You're very lonely and you just want to be touched.

*You have the playwright's permission to change “Albertsons”--in both the title and the script--to any recognizable supermarket chain in the region it's performed. “You're Working the Checkout at Foodtown”, “You're Working the Checkout at the Piggly Wiggly”, You're Working the Checkout at Fairway”, “ You're Working the Checkout at SpartanNash”, etc.

You've Reached Justin

by Christian St. Croix

Synopsis

10 MINUTE. Daniel only planned for a night out of clubbing with his best friend and crush, Justin. But before they can meet, monsters fall from the sky and begin attacking the city. When Justin won't answer his phone, Daniel starts out through the carnage and chaos to rescue him, leaving voicemails along the way. "You've Reached Justin" blends sci-fi and horror with romance to deliver a heart pounding short...

10 MINUTE. Daniel only planned for a night out of clubbing with his best friend and crush, Justin. But before they can meet, monsters fall from the sky and begin attacking the city. When Justin won't answer his phone, Daniel starts out through the carnage and chaos to rescue him, leaving voicemails along the way. "You've Reached Justin" blends sci-fi and horror with romance to deliver a heart pounding short about the complexities of crushes and monsters.

Published by Stage Partners as part of the short play collection, "Ten(ish): Horror." It can be read for free if you register with the site.

And All the Birds Loved Her (audio/radio play)

by Christian St. Croix

Synopsis

AUDIO/RADIO PLAY. Mia, a trans teenager and aspiring makeup artist, has talked her single father, John, into letting her practice her skills on his face. Mia's mother has taken a temporary nursing job in the Philippines and Mia’s been sent to live with him until she returns. When John learns that his resentful daughter’s been avoiding her mother's phone calls, he asks Mia to join him in revisiting a fairy tale...

AUDIO/RADIO PLAY. Mia, a trans teenager and aspiring makeup artist, has talked her single father, John, into letting her practice her skills on his face. Mia's mother has taken a temporary nursing job in the Philippines and Mia’s been sent to live with him until she returns. When John learns that his resentful daughter’s been avoiding her mother's phone calls, he asks Mia to join him in revisiting a fairy tale he used to tell her when she was a child. As she does, memories from the past are revealed and an apology is made. "And All the Birds Loved Her" is a bittersweet drama about fathers and daughters, fairy tales and forgiveness.

Four Things I Never Ask About (monologue)

by Christian St. Croix

Synopsis

MONOLOGUE. There are four things your lover will never ask about as you shelter together during a zombie apocalypse. This is no longer a world for lovers.

MONOLOGUE. There are four things your lover will never ask about as you shelter together during a zombie apocalypse. This is no longer a world for lovers.

Brev (monologue)

by Christian St. Croix

Synopsis

MONOLOGUE. Following an alien invasion, a starry-eyed member of the rebellion tells us all about their hot, new alien boyfriend as they prepare to storm the mothership.

MONOLOGUE. Following an alien invasion, a starry-eyed member of the rebellion tells us all about their hot, new alien boyfriend as they prepare to storm the mothership.

Duffel Bag (monologue)

by Christian St. Croix

Synopsis

MONOLOGUE. You’re having a memory of your best friend, Brian. You were both in the locker room, you’d just finished playing basketball and he was reaching into his duffel bag...for what? Brian coaches as you try to remember.

“Duffel Bag” is a touching and humorous monologue about memories and what to hold onto when the details start to fade.

MONOLOGUE. You’re having a memory of your best friend, Brian. You were both in the locker room, you’d just finished playing basketball and he was reaching into his duffel bag...for what? Brian coaches as you try to remember.

“Duffel Bag” is a touching and humorous monologue about memories and what to hold onto when the details start to fade.

Follow the Fireflies (monologue)

by Christian St. Croix

Synopsis

MONOLOGUE. In this enchanting short, a troubled new friend welcomes us to The Grove, a place of wonder and rest for the souls of murdered Black people. When you’re ready, you just follow the fireflies out. Look. Ain’t they something?

MONOLOGUE. In this enchanting short, a troubled new friend welcomes us to The Grove, a place of wonder and rest for the souls of murdered Black people. When you’re ready, you just follow the fireflies out. Look. Ain’t they something?

Cold Foam (monologue)

by Christian St. Croix

Synopsis

MONOLOGUE. Sarah Cooper, a white woman, loves sweetened cold foam on her coffee, voted for Hilary Clinton and just called the police on a Black man inside of a Starbucks.

MONOLOGUE. Sarah Cooper, a white woman, loves sweetened cold foam on her coffee, voted for Hilary Clinton and just called the police on a Black man inside of a Starbucks.