Franky D. Gonzalez

Franky D. Gonzalez is a playwright and TV writer of Colombian descent splitting time between Dallas and Los Angeles. He holds a BA in Theatre from the University of North Texas and has had his work featured throughout the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex where he served proudly as the Dramatists Guild Regional Representative in 2018. Nationally, his work has appeared with The Lark, the Sundance Institute, the Ojai Playwrights Conference, Berkeley Repertory Theatre's Ground Floor, the NNPN National Showcase of New Plays, the Latinx Playwrights Circle, the Texas State University's Black and Latino Playwrights Celebration, The Sol Project (SolFest 2022), Urbanite Theatre, Visión Latino Theatre Company, The Orchard Project, the Great Plains Theatre Conference, the Goodman Theatre (Live @ Five Series...

Franky D. Gonzalez is a playwright and TV writer of Colombian descent splitting time between Dallas and Los Angeles. He holds a BA in Theatre from the University of North Texas and has had his work featured throughout the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex where he served proudly as the Dramatists Guild Regional Representative in 2018. Nationally, his work has appeared with The Lark, the Sundance Institute, the Ojai Playwrights Conference, Berkeley Repertory Theatre's Ground Floor, the NNPN National Showcase of New Plays, the Latinx Playwrights Circle, the Texas State University's Black and Latino Playwrights Celebration, The Sol Project (SolFest 2022), Urbanite Theatre, Visión Latino Theatre Company, The Orchard Project, the Great Plains Theatre Conference, the Goodman Theatre (Live @ Five Series), Launch Pad at UC Santa Barbara, The New Harmony Project, Bishop Arts Theatre Center, Repertorio Español, LAByrinth Theater Company, Ars Nova (ANT Fest 2021), Dallas Theater Center, the William Inge Theatre Festival, American Blues Theatre (Ripped Festival), Austin Latinx New Play Festival, South Texas College Theatre Latinx New Play Festival, Stages Repertory Theatre's Sin Muros Latinx Theatre Festival (2019 and 2024), the Latino Theatre Company’s RE:Encuentro 2021: National Virtual Latina/o/x Theatre Festival, the Latinx Theatre Commons 2022 Comedy Carnaval, Seven Devils New Play Foundry, the HBMG Foundation National Winter Playwrights Retreat, Tofte Lake Center, Ignition Arts, Play4Keeps Podcast, the Antaeus Playwrights Lab, Clamour Theatre Company, Ammunition Theater Company, Greenway Court Theatre, the Cloud Factory, The Mid-America Theatre Conference, The Midwest Dramatists Conference, and the One-Minute Play Festival. Franky was a recipient of the Charles Rowan Beye New Play Commission, an MTC/Sloan Commission, the Risk Theatre Modern Tragedy Prize, co-recipient of the MetLife Nuestras Voces Latino Playwriting Award, won the Crossroads Project Diverse Voices Playwriting Initiative Award, the Judith Royer Award for Excellence in Playwriting, the Short+Sweet Theatre Festival Manila Best Overall Production Prize, and was a staff writer for the fourth season of 13 Reasons Why. Productions of his work have also been recognized garnering two Non-Equity Jeff Awards in Chicago for Short Run Production and Short Run Director in 2024. He has also been a finalist for the New Dramatists residency, the Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference, San Diego REP Latinx New Play Festival, the Civilians R&D Group, The DVRF Playwriting Program, the Ashland New Play Festival, the Playwrights Realm Scratchpad Series, BETC Generations, the American Blues Theater Blue Ink Playwriting Award, the ScreenCraft Stage Play Competition, and a semi-finalist for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival, the Headwaters New Play Festival, the Dubai Short+Sweet Theatre Festival, and runner-up for the Alpine Fellowship. Most recently Franky was named an Orchard Project Writer-in-Residence and a Sewanee Writers Conference Playwriting Fellow. Previously he was a 4 Seasons Resident Playwright, a Sony Pictures Television Diverse Writers Program Fellow, a Core Writer with the Playwrights Center, and is currently the Bishop Arts Theatre Center Playwright-in-Residence.

Franky has been previously published in/contributed to: The Offing, The Playwrights Toolbox, YouthPLAYS, Broadway Play Publishing, The Dramatist Magazine, Smith & Kraus, Texas Theatre Journal, Jenny Magazine, Gather by the Ghost Light: Year Three, and The Playground Experiment's Faces of America.

Scripts

Even Flowers Bloom in Hell, Sometimes

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

“Developed in The Lark's Playwrights' Week, New York City."

"Developed at the Ojai Playwrights Conference Foundry Project, 2020"

An examination of the inmates within a system trying to discover meaning in the face of isolation and doubt in one's own worth over a 25 year bid. The play explores familial ties, love, race, inmate-correctional officer relations, the passing of time, and the succeeding generation...

“Developed in The Lark's Playwrights' Week, New York City."

"Developed at the Ojai Playwrights Conference Foundry Project, 2020"

An examination of the inmates within a system trying to discover meaning in the face of isolation and doubt in one's own worth over a 25 year bid. The play explores familial ties, love, race, inmate-correctional officer relations, the passing of time, and the succeeding generation of individuals who deal with the challenges of trying to avoid a life of crime or resigning oneself to becoming a part of the system that swept up previous generations.

Escobar's Hippo

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

A Colombian town along the Magdalena River plunges into chaos after a flatulent, destructive, easily offended, and adventurous hippo comes to town and wreaks havoc. The crisis worsens when people begin transforming into hippos themselves causing, not only chaos, but the beginnings of a revolution where humans are trampled by these new Hipposapiens. As this shifting of civilization unfolds, three friends try to...

A Colombian town along the Magdalena River plunges into chaos after a flatulent, destructive, easily offended, and adventurous hippo comes to town and wreaks havoc. The crisis worsens when people begin transforming into hippos themselves causing, not only chaos, but the beginnings of a revolution where humans are trampled by these new Hipposapiens. As this shifting of civilization unfolds, three friends try to figure out how to deal with the transforming population and solve the connection between the hippos and a notorious drug lord. An homage to the works of Ionesco (namely Rhinoceros and The Killer), this play explores through absurdity and comedy the very serious and deadly consequences that come with the surrendering of humanity in favor of bestial urges and self-gratification.

Paletas de Coco or, The Letter Unspoken or, The Christmas Eve Play

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

Digital Production: Ars Nova ANT Fest 2021
Digital Production: Latino Theater Company RE: Encuentro 2021

A playwright searching for his father and for someone to read aloud a letter he's written recruits a Performer who, along with the audience, are taken with the playwright on a journey through four Christmas Eves, coconut popsicles, depression, Santería chants, Times Square, male breastfeeding, reunions...

Digital Production: Ars Nova ANT Fest 2021
Digital Production: Latino Theater Company RE: Encuentro 2021

A playwright searching for his father and for someone to read aloud a letter he's written recruits a Performer who, along with the audience, are taken with the playwright on a journey through four Christmas Eves, coconut popsicles, depression, Santería chants, Times Square, male breastfeeding, reunions with long-lost siblings, Applebee's Nacho Plates, child birth, suicide attempts, fatherhood, and robbing Chinese buffets.

That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven or, The Dawn Behind the Black Hole

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

Winner: Risk Theatre Modern Tragedy Competition Prize 2022
Non-Equity Jeff Award Best Short Run Production, 2024
Non-Equity Jeff Award Best Director Short Run Production, 2024

World Premiere Production: Urbanite Theatre 2023
Midwest Premiere: Visión Latino Theatre Company 2023

Four Latino boxers fight with everything their bodies and spirits will allow against destiny, society, and the all-consuming power of...

Winner: Risk Theatre Modern Tragedy Competition Prize 2022
Non-Equity Jeff Award Best Short Run Production, 2024
Non-Equity Jeff Award Best Director Short Run Production, 2024

World Premiere Production: Urbanite Theatre 2023
Midwest Premiere: Visión Latino Theatre Company 2023

Four Latino boxers fight with everything their bodies and spirits will allow against destiny, society, and the all-consuming power of a black hole in an effort to win the world title and overcome the roles life had assigned them.

“That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven” was developed by Urbanite Theatre, Sarasota, FL as part of the 2020 Charles Rowan Beye New Play Commission
(Summer Dawn Wallace, Brendan Ragan; Artistic Directors)

Heart Stop or, The Obesity Play

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

Developed and Workshopped with The Workshop Theater, 2023
Developed as part of The Ground Floor at Berkeley Rep, 2022
Developed at Seven Devils Playwrights Conference, 2022
Developed as part of the 4 Seasons Residency

Catalyzed by two health crises that occurred close to each other, Heart Stop, or The Obesity Play is a solo show following the current, real-time journey of playwright Franky D. Gonzalez as he...

Developed and Workshopped with The Workshop Theater, 2023
Developed as part of The Ground Floor at Berkeley Rep, 2022
Developed at Seven Devils Playwrights Conference, 2022
Developed as part of the 4 Seasons Residency

Catalyzed by two health crises that occurred close to each other, Heart Stop, or The Obesity Play is a solo show following the current, real-time journey of playwright Franky D. Gonzalez as he tries to find a way toward a healthier life while battling against depression, self-loathing, and his constant struggle with obesity.

The Zoo

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

It is bedtime. A father and child lay in bed together. The child will not sleep. The father cannot sleep.

It is bedtime. A father and child lay in bed together. The child will not sleep. The father cannot sleep.

I'll Tell You at Sunrise

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

An unnamed man contemplating suicide hires a vagabond to bury him after the deed is done. The vagabond agrees but on condition that the man listen to the vagabond until the next train arrives.

An unnamed man contemplating suicide hires a vagabond to bury him after the deed is done. The vagabond agrees but on condition that the man listen to the vagabond until the next train arrives.

The Ticket

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

Mary, Tracey, and Gazzara work as night shift call center reps. They hate each other and also have a weird fascination with furries.

Tonight they're playing the lotto.

Mary, Tracey, and Gazzara work as night shift call center reps. They hate each other and also have a weird fascination with furries.

Tonight they're playing the lotto.

The Age of Understanding or, The Character of Dad

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

A father taking care of his son while his wife goes out remembers his lowest point as a father and reevaluates his previous assessment of his own deadbeat dad.

A father taking care of his son while his wife goes out remembers his lowest point as a father and reevaluates his previous assessment of his own deadbeat dad.

Before You Get Married

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

Before You Get Married explores the relationship between siblings - the night before the sister's wedding - that they may not be related. With the passing night and flowing wine, both siblings struggle to understand what they mean to each other as they reveal secrets of the past and explore the desires of two people at once impossibly connected and separated.

Before You Get Married explores the relationship between siblings - the night before the sister's wedding - that they may not be related. With the passing night and flowing wine, both siblings struggle to understand what they mean to each other as they reveal secrets of the past and explore the desires of two people at once impossibly connected and separated.

The Tragedy of Othello

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

A reimagining of the classic work by Shakespeare, the Tragedy of Othello follows the journey and battles of Imani Othello who must navigate the treacherous world of sports and her own insecurities after being named Head Coach of America's most beloved football franchise.

A reimagining of the classic work by Shakespeare, the Tragedy of Othello follows the journey and battles of Imani Othello who must navigate the treacherous world of sports and her own insecurities after being named Head Coach of America's most beloved football franchise.

Corona with ICE

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

Simmons and Melendez sit on a bench discussing the severity of the coronavirus pandemic while waiting for Delgado to go shoppping.

Simmons and Melendez sit on a bench discussing the severity of the coronavirus pandemic while waiting for Delgado to go shoppping.

Weird Rabbit's Foot

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

Originally commissioned by ScriptWorks, Austin TX for AMPLIFY AUSTIN 2021

Megan and Annalise try to determine whether or not they'd let an alleged creep keep a part of them like a rabbit's foot. He's really hot, you see.

Originally commissioned by ScriptWorks, Austin TX for AMPLIFY AUSTIN 2021

Megan and Annalise try to determine whether or not they'd let an alleged creep keep a part of them like a rabbit's foot. He's really hot, you see.

The Gift of da Maggies

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

Christmas Eve, 2013. A penitentiary. Two unnamed inmates discuss the pronunciation of the word "magi," and unwittingly become a retelling of the famous O. Henry story.

This play occurs in the same continuity as Even Flowers Bloom in Hell, Sometimes also by Franky D. Gonzalez

Christmas Eve, 2013. A penitentiary. Two unnamed inmates discuss the pronunciation of the word "magi," and unwittingly become a retelling of the famous O. Henry story.

This play occurs in the same continuity as Even Flowers Bloom in Hell, Sometimes also by Franky D. Gonzalez

Until Sunrise or, When Blue Hours Turn Golden

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

A small promise in a long night.

Commissioned by The New Harmony Project for the Sunrise Gallery

A small promise in a long night.

Commissioned by The New Harmony Project for the Sunrise Gallery

The Extraordinary EB-1 (The Title Run of Edgar Bolaños)

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

An undocumented boxer brought to the U.S. as a child fights ten times in one year to become the mandatory challenger for a world title and his last shot at a visa to stay in the United States

THE EXTRAORDINARY EB-1 was developed by
Urbanite Theatre
(Summer Dawn Wallace, Brendan Ragan; Artistic Directors)
in Sarasota, Florida, as part of the
2020 Charles Rowan Beye New Play Commission.

An undocumented boxer brought to the U.S. as a child fights ten times in one year to become the mandatory challenger for a world title and his last shot at a visa to stay in the United States

THE EXTRAORDINARY EB-1 was developed by
Urbanite Theatre
(Summer Dawn Wallace, Brendan Ragan; Artistic Directors)
in Sarasota, Florida, as part of the
2020 Charles Rowan Beye New Play Commission.

Letter to my Brother

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

Whilst preparing for the match of his career, a boxer reminisces on memories of his younger brother and the events that drove them apart and led to the night’s main event: A showdown between two brothers for the Championship title.

Whilst preparing for the match of his career, a boxer reminisces on memories of his younger brother and the events that drove them apart and led to the night’s main event: A showdown between two brothers for the Championship title.

Parental Questions

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

A pregnant woman has some questions she's been needing to ask about this whole "baby-having" thing.

A pregnant woman has some questions she's been needing to ask about this whole "baby-having" thing.

One Month Along

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

A play occurring over several years in reverse chronology about three creatives navigating the world of theatre, friendship, and infidelity.

One Month Along was developed through LAUNCH PAD at the University of California, Santa Barbara – Department of Theater and Dance in 2022, Risa Brainin, Artistic Director.

A play occurring over several years in reverse chronology about three creatives navigating the world of theatre, friendship, and infidelity.

One Month Along was developed through LAUNCH PAD at the University of California, Santa Barbara – Department of Theater and Dance in 2022, Risa Brainin, Artistic Director.

Three Triple Six Four Oh Five Three

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

A young man visits an inmate family member where they discuss gentrification, racism, and the prospect of education versus a life on the streets.

A young man visits an inmate family member where they discuss gentrification, racism, and the prospect of education versus a life on the streets.

A MOST BRIEF AND ECONOMICAL THEATRICAL TEXT OFFERING AN INTERPRETATION AND VISION OF A ONE MATTHEW WEAVER, PLAYWRIGHT, JOURNALIST, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, FRIEND AND WHAT HE MEANS TO SO MANY ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS 40TH REVOLUTION ASTRIDE THE CELESTIAL B-

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

-ODY CALLED THE EARTH

The title says it. Happy birthday Matthew Weaver.

-ODY CALLED THE EARTH

The title says it. Happy birthday Matthew Weaver.

The Invention of Time

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

Two inmates discuss whether or not Time exists and who controls it.

A scene taken from Even Flowers Bloom in Hell, Sometimes and turned into a standalone short play.

Two inmates discuss whether or not Time exists and who controls it.

A scene taken from Even Flowers Bloom in Hell, Sometimes and turned into a standalone short play.

The Final Battle (As it Occurred in the Holy City of Game Emporium and Exchange)

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

Two very anxious employees of Game Emporium and Exchange count the minutes until closing time, relieved that their latest release from the hit role-playing game Castles and Gorgons has not been marred by two frequent customers who take their roleplaying very seriously. Just as the employees are about to lock up for the night both men burst into the store, on a quest to purchase the last copy of Castle and...

Two very anxious employees of Game Emporium and Exchange count the minutes until closing time, relieved that their latest release from the hit role-playing game Castles and Gorgons has not been marred by two frequent customers who take their roleplaying very seriously. Just as the employees are about to lock up for the night both men burst into the store, on a quest to purchase the last copy of Castle and Gorgons for themselves. The stage is set for a clash of epic proportions as the Mage-Slayer and the Lightbringer do battle for the last copy of Castles and Gorgons Final Battle Supplements!

What Love Must Be

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

A man and woman eating dinner confront each other about an affair the other must be having. As the dialogue passes; the truth becomes more and more vague and the relationship that was originally implied takes on a new dimension.

An updated and expanded version of To Love and Be Loved in Return.

A man and woman eating dinner confront each other about an affair the other must be having. As the dialogue passes; the truth becomes more and more vague and the relationship that was originally implied takes on a new dimension.

An updated and expanded version of To Love and Be Loved in Return.

My Dear Children

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

A one act play exploring the hidden desires between siblings Jason and Alicia the night before Alicia is to get married to a man she doesn't love.

A one act play exploring the hidden desires between siblings Jason and Alicia the night before Alicia is to get married to a man she doesn't love.

Happy Together

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

A couple a long way from home meet a man who becomes fast friends with the couple. An affair begins which twists itself into a ménage à trois of voyeurism, loneliness, repression and obsession. A three character show in which two actors split the role of the cuckolded husband between memories, Happy Together explores the nature of denial, memory, repression and desire in one continuous scene without blackout.

A couple a long way from home meet a man who becomes fast friends with the couple. An affair begins which twists itself into a ménage à trois of voyeurism, loneliness, repression and obsession. A three character show in which two actors split the role of the cuckolded husband between memories, Happy Together explores the nature of denial, memory, repression and desire in one continuous scene without blackout.

Mission Trip [A One-Minute Play]

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

Tired of talking about sad news and deportation, a woman changes the topic of conversation to something more positive: her upcoming mission trip to Guatemala. Written for the Dallas Edition of the One-Minute Play Festival with Kitchen Dog Theater

Tired of talking about sad news and deportation, a woman changes the topic of conversation to something more positive: her upcoming mission trip to Guatemala. Written for the Dallas Edition of the One-Minute Play Festival with Kitchen Dog Theater

Popsicle Kisses

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

A father and daughter recall their relationship over the years after the mother's suicide.

A father and daughter recall their relationship over the years after the mother's suicide.

Our Child

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

A homeless couple’s relationship is pushed to its limits under the oncoming, very literal weight of one of life’s greatest mysteries: a child.

A homeless couple’s relationship is pushed to its limits under the oncoming, very literal weight of one of life’s greatest mysteries: a child.

Flores en el infierno

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

An examination of the inmates within a system trying to discover meaning in the face of isolation and doubt in one's own worth over a 25 year bid.

Spoken in Spanglish.

An examination of the inmates within a system trying to discover meaning in the face of isolation and doubt in one's own worth over a 25 year bid.

Spoken in Spanglish.

To Love and Be Loved in Return

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

A man and woman eating dinner confront each other about an affair the other must be having. As the dialogue passes; the truth becomes more and more vague and the relationship that was originally implied takes on a new dimension.

A man and woman eating dinner confront each other about an affair the other must be having. As the dialogue passes; the truth becomes more and more vague and the relationship that was originally implied takes on a new dimension.

At the End

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

A young man and woman reflect on love, loss, death, grief and moving on.

A young man and woman reflect on love, loss, death, grief and moving on.

Chicago is Safer [A One-Minute Play]

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

Two men discuss why it is that actresses from Dallas keep leaving the city for other markets like Chicago despite the danger and risk of violence associated with going to Chicago. Written for the 5th annual One-Minute Play Festival in Dallas with Kitchen Dog Theater.

Two men discuss why it is that actresses from Dallas keep leaving the city for other markets like Chicago despite the danger and risk of violence associated with going to Chicago. Written for the 5th annual One-Minute Play Festival in Dallas with Kitchen Dog Theater.

A Question, a Monologue

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

From a forthcoming script. A woman has a question to ask but first, she has to lay out some of her rationale for asking this question.

From a forthcoming script. A woman has a question to ask but first, she has to lay out some of her rationale for asking this question.

Perspective

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

A woman recalls the day she spent with her grandmother the day after the news broke on the existence of tent cities and tender-age shelters. Following this day with her grandmother she finds new courage to face what may come.

A woman recalls the day she spent with her grandmother the day after the news broke on the existence of tent cities and tender-age shelters. Following this day with her grandmother she finds new courage to face what may come.

The Protagonist Dies on Page 15

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

The Protagonist finds out after waking up that they will die on Page 15. An argument with the Creator ensues.

The Protagonist finds out after waking up that they will die on Page 15. An argument with the Creator ensues.

Christmas Call from My Sister

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Synopsis

A call between sisters--one in prison while the other is free--on Christmas Day discussing making dreams come true, living life to the fullest, and the regrets that come with unfulfilled potential.

Originally a scene cut from Even Flowers Bloom in Hell, Sometimes, redone to be its own standalone play.

A call between sisters--one in prison while the other is free--on Christmas Day discussing making dreams come true, living life to the fullest, and the regrets that come with unfulfilled potential.

Originally a scene cut from Even Flowers Bloom in Hell, Sometimes, redone to be its own standalone play.