Bennett Kirschner

Scripts

Somnotomy (by Intramural Theater)

Co-Lead Playwright by Bennett Kirschner

Synopsis

This original work dives into the surreal world of sleep, dreams, and the entities that haunt them. Between graveyard shifts at her family's gentrification-themed coffee shop in New Orleans, Jane Yardhauser is trapped in a nightly ritual with Tramfogor – a sentient sleep paralysis demon that takes the shape of her favorite rapper, Papa Star. When a freelance "sleep interventionist" offers to banish her demon...

This original work dives into the surreal world of sleep, dreams, and the entities that haunt them. Between graveyard shifts at her family's gentrification-themed coffee shop in New Orleans, Jane Yardhauser is trapped in a nightly ritual with Tramfogor – a sentient sleep paralysis demon that takes the shape of her favorite rapper, Papa Star. When a freelance "sleep interventionist" offers to banish her demon, the boundaries between Jane's sleep and waking life start to dissolve. Meanwhile, the café's lone customer, her brother, and her neighbor start experiencing nightmares of their own. As they all confront what they've been running from, Tramfogor grows hungrier.

The Bermuda Can Company (by Intramural Theater)

Lead Playwright by Bennett Kirschner

Synopsis

On a Friday night brimming with possibility, a rising New Orleans startup is about to take the world by storm – they’re officially releasing “the world’s first fully resealable, recyclable can.” With beaucoup drugs and party favors at the ready, employees are gearing up for the big announcement and the arrival of a famous TikToker who's covering the launch. But when it dawns on them that the prototype is missing...

On a Friday night brimming with possibility, a rising New Orleans startup is about to take the world by storm – they’re officially releasing “the world’s first fully resealable, recyclable can.” With beaucoup drugs and party favors at the ready, employees are gearing up for the big announcement and the arrival of a famous TikToker who's covering the launch. But when it dawns on them that the prototype is missing, the office degenerates into chaos, and blame is passed around: who was responsible for the prototype's delivery? In a state of emergency, the shiny veneer of this odd office starts to peel away, revealing a legacy of empty promises, incompetence, and exploitation. And yet, the heart speaks!

Lead Playwright: Bennett Kirschner
Additional Writing: T Clark, Madi Zins
Devising Ensemble: Tricia Anderson, Bobby Burvant, T Clark, Mary Davis, Topher Johnson, Bennett Kirschner, Mary Langley, Ricky Ostry, Adam Tourek, Lauren Wells, and Madi Zins

Apostles of Everest (by Intramural Theater)

Lead Playwright by Bennett Kirschner

Synopsis

Tom and Nancy, two middle-aged voyeurs, are auspiciously visited by a younger couple from out of town: Lily is an entomologist, and her boyfriend Hunter is "making a documentary about her studies." Set in a reclusive houseboat community in 2036, the world starts to unravel as we realize that Tom and Nancy may not be the only voyeurs on stage, and the welcome travelers aren't exactly what they claim to be.

Lead...

Tom and Nancy, two middle-aged voyeurs, are auspiciously visited by a younger couple from out of town: Lily is an entomologist, and her boyfriend Hunter is "making a documentary about her studies." Set in a reclusive houseboat community in 2036, the world starts to unravel as we realize that Tom and Nancy may not be the only voyeurs on stage, and the welcome travelers aren't exactly what they claim to be.

Lead Playwright: Bennett Kirschner
Devising Ensemble: Tricia Anderson, Bobby Burvant, Rebecca Greaves, Joshua James, Bennett Kirschner, Chris Silva, Lydia Stein, Jane Tardo, Sarah VanDerMeer, and Jeremy Webber

His Sacred Crown

by Bennett Kirschner

Synopsis

Two grave robbers arrive at Vin Diesel's grave with the intention of stealing a coveted hat from his coffin. Moments later, a pair of young lovers appear, wandering through the graveyard.

Two grave robbers arrive at Vin Diesel's grave with the intention of stealing a coveted hat from his coffin. Moments later, a pair of young lovers appear, wandering through the graveyard.

The Business of Medicine

by Bennett Kirschner

Synopsis

A businessman and a doctor have a friendly, fruitful meeting about a new business venture and an experimental drug. Silly birds fly into the window and provide a wonderful source of entertainment.

A businessman and a doctor have a friendly, fruitful meeting about a new business venture and an experimental drug. Silly birds fly into the window and provide a wonderful source of entertainment.

Taurus Rising

by Bennett Kirschner

Synopsis

Before a father and his adopted son suit up for the first bareback bucking bull tandem ride in recorded history, they must confront their past demons.

Before a father and his adopted son suit up for the first bareback bucking bull tandem ride in recorded history, they must confront their past demons.

Reggie

by Bennett Kirschner

Synopsis

A man who has lived as a lab rat since childhood finally speaks up about the doctor who lured him into a life of scientific servitude.

A man who has lived as a lab rat since childhood finally speaks up about the doctor who lured him into a life of scientific servitude.

The Hillsdale Town Hall is Proud to Announce the Winner of the 2006 Best Custodian of the Year Award

by Bennett Kirschner

Synopsis

The Hillsdale Town Hall announces the winner of its 2006 Best Custodian of the Year Award. It has been a contentious race, with nothing but cleanliness left in its tracks, and after months of waiting, the powers that be have decided that the time has come to crown a fairly elected winner.

The Hillsdale Town Hall announces the winner of its 2006 Best Custodian of the Year Award. It has been a contentious race, with nothing but cleanliness left in its tracks, and after months of waiting, the powers that be have decided that the time has come to crown a fairly elected winner.

Water Up the Nose

by Bennett Kirschner

Synopsis

During their shift change, two lifeguards at a town pool discover that raccoons have been jumping into the pool and drowning. Their manager shows up and asks who is responsible.

During their shift change, two lifeguards at a town pool discover that raccoons have been jumping into the pool and drowning. Their manager shows up and asks who is responsible.