Cole Friedman

Cole Friedman (he/him) is a queer, Jewish, writer / performer based in Los Angeles. He is a member of EST/LA’s New West Playwrights, which produced a public reading of his play, “john(s),” in August 2025. His work has also been produced by Make/Shift Theater, Homesick Play Project, The National Theater Institute. He is a 2023 Academy Nicholl Fellowship Quarterfinalist for his feature screenplay, “Good Youth.” He received a B.A. in Theatre and Psychology from Tufts University, earning the Moses True Brown Prize for Dramatic Criticism upon graduation. He is originally from Northern Virginia and only sometimes misses it.

Cole Friedman (he/him) is a queer, Jewish, writer / performer based in Los Angeles. He is a member of EST/LA’s New West Playwrights, which produced a public reading of his play, “john(s),” in August 2025. His work has also been produced by Make/Shift Theater, Homesick Play Project, The National Theater Institute. He is a 2023 Academy Nicholl Fellowship Quarterfinalist for his feature screenplay, “Good Youth.” He received a B.A. in Theatre and Psychology from Tufts University, earning the Moses True Brown Prize for Dramatic Criticism upon graduation. He is originally from Northern Virginia and only sometimes misses it.

Scripts

john(s) - a stand-up set

by Cole Friedman

Synopsis

On medical leave and living back at home, an anxious college student begins trying stand-up as a way to process his confusing sexual history in this hilariously uncomfortable comedy that explores the lasting echoes of trauma and the value of storytelling in how we heal.

On medical leave and living back at home, an anxious college student begins trying stand-up as a way to process his confusing sexual history in this hilariously uncomfortable comedy that explores the lasting echoes of trauma and the value of storytelling in how we heal.

motherson

by Cole Friedman

Synopsis

A dual coming-of-age tale, Leah and Reuben grapple with their fraught relationship as single mom and son when Reuben must face his final high school dance recital. Or, Torah stories + dance + gay.

A dual coming-of-age tale, Leah and Reuben grapple with their fraught relationship as single mom and son when Reuben must face his final high school dance recital. Or, Torah stories + dance + gay.

Follow The Bear

by Cole Friedman

Synopsis

David Kostic heads back to therapy after the death of his grandmother, at sea without her. Time, Tea, and Teddy Bears all spill over in this thirty minute memorial for what we never get to say to those who are gone.

David Kostic heads back to therapy after the death of his grandmother, at sea without her. Time, Tea, and Teddy Bears all spill over in this thirty minute memorial for what we never get to say to those who are gone.

my father is always dying

by Cole Friedman

Synopsis

A dissociative play about dissociative grief. Also Chekov.

A dissociative play about dissociative grief. Also Chekov.

BOOM: A countdown loosely based on Anton Chekov's Uncle Vanya

by Cole Friedman

Synopsis

With an ecological disaster looming, Yelena, Sonya, Vanya, and The Professor all must decide how to spend the time that remains.

With an ecological disaster looming, Yelena, Sonya, Vanya, and The Professor all must decide how to spend the time that remains.

Mer and Cris Catch Up Over Zoom

by Cole Friedman

Synopsis

Two life-long friends hang out over Zoom, but are they the same people they once were?

Two life-long friends hang out over Zoom, but are they the same people they once were?