Daniel Prillaman

Daniel Prillaman

"l try to make everyone's day a little more surreal." -Bill Watterson

Daniel (he/him) is an actor/writer/ginger Virginian based out of Washington, DC. While he adores all theatre, he has a special fondness for absurdism, folklore, and horror. You'll find a lot of that below, but some other things too. Ultimately, he loves plays about honest people (or talking animals) in...
"l try to make everyone's day a little more surreal." -Bill Watterson

Daniel (he/him) is an actor/writer/ginger Virginian based out of Washington, DC. While he adores all theatre, he has a special fondness for absurdism, folklore, and horror. You'll find a lot of that below, but some other things too. Ultimately, he loves plays about honest people (or talking animals) in situations he hasn't seen before.

When not gleefully slaving away his "soul" to artistic endeavors and projects, he legitimately enjoys long walks on the beach, a video game with a glass of wine, and biscuits.

His one-act play for young audiences, A PIRATE CAROL, was a winner of Moonlit Wings Productions' 2017 Playwriting Contest, and has been produced in camp workshops and schools across the United States.

Daniel is an alumnus of the University of Virginia and a member of the Dramatists Guild.

LOOKING FOR A SPECIFIC PLAY?
Plays are organized below by alphabetical order, Full-Lengths, One-Acts, Ten Minutes, Shorts, and Monologues.

Plays

  • The Ashen Crown by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 10
    ·
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: drama, fable/folktale + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: full length, horror + 4 more
    Genre: drama, fable/folktale, fantasy, horror, political, tragedy
    Keyword: full length, horror, war, stories, god, stage combat
    FULL-LENGTH: At the ashen remains of a war-torn city, two queens meet with a rebel terrorist to negotiate terms of a peace treaty. However, their talks are soon interrupted by the appearance of a disquieting stranger, whose words set the women down a dark and frightening path of madness. Part Horror Fantasy, part war song, "The Ashen Crown" is a tale of violence, why we cause it, and what it causes for us.
  • Bereavement Leave by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 12
    ·
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama
    ·
    Keyword: full length, work + 4 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama
    Keyword: full length, work, office life, suicide, grief, sexual harassment
    FULL-LENGTH: When their supervisor commits suicide, Two, Three, and Four struggle to keep their composure while navigating promotions, new hires, and the unique, emotionally arduous nature of their office job, killing the roughly 150000 people who die each day.

    CW: Suicide, sexual misconduct
  • Fever Dream by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    5–8
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: full-length, horror + 6 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, experimental, horror, movement/physical
    Keyword: full-length, horror, Quarantine, grief, trauma, Movies, birds, disease
    FULL-LENGTH [Open to Development]: After the sudden death of her roommate to a mysterious virus, an English Major finds herself in quarantine, which slowly takes a disturbing, increasingly surreal toll on her mental health. Or perhaps she’s just dealing with grief in a completely normal way.

    PLAYWRIGHT’S NOTE:
    The draft of this play was written in 2016, about four years before the...
    FULL-LENGTH [Open to Development]: After the sudden death of her roommate to a mysterious virus, an English Major finds herself in quarantine, which slowly takes a disturbing, increasingly surreal toll on her mental health. Or perhaps she’s just dealing with grief in a completely normal way.

    PLAYWRIGHT’S NOTE:
    The draft of this play was written in 2016, about four years before the Coronavirus pandemic reached the US. Quite literally, it has become a pre-Quarantine quarantine play. It has become a piece of a different time, when I was a different playwright and different person.

    I’ve thought often about this script over the past two years, and must honestly say I don’t exactly know what this play is anymore, or where its existence stands in a world altered forever by COVID. I offer it here to share with any who may be interested in checking it out, in its current form or whatever it may become. If you have any thoughts, I would love to hear them.

    Please enjoy.
  • In the Slush by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 14
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: drama, horror + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: full length, horror + 4 more
    Genre: drama, horror, mystery/thriller
    Keyword: full length, horror, identity, dreams, Relationships, publishing
    FULL-LENGTH [Seeking Development]: While reading through her publishing house's slush pile, a pregnant and newlywed editorial assistant encounters a mysterious manuscript that claims she isn't human. That her baby is the Second Coming of an ancient darkness that wishes to devour the world. She is its vessel. It has to be some sort of joke. ...But what if it's not?

    A Cosmic Horror...
    FULL-LENGTH [Seeking Development]: While reading through her publishing house's slush pile, a pregnant and newlywed editorial assistant encounters a mysterious manuscript that claims she isn't human. That her baby is the Second Coming of an ancient darkness that wishes to devour the world. She is its vessel. It has to be some sort of joke. ...But what if it's not?

    A Cosmic Horror about ambition, creation, and the things we'll do to realize our dreams.
  • A Pirate Carol by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    24–35
    ·
    Genre: adventure, comedy + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: one act, tya + 6 more
    Genre: adventure, comedy, holiday, parody/spoof, young audiences
    Keyword: one act, tya, pirate, holiday, Christmas Carol, friendship, elementary school, middle school
    ONE-ACT: In a swashbuckling homage to the classic Dickens tale, the nicest pirate in the world must be taught the error of her friendly ways by the ghost of her former, mean-spirited first mate. (Appro-"pirate" for all ages).
  • Death Wears a Costume by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    10
    ·
    Genre: comedy, holiday + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: one act, tya + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, holiday, mystery/thriller, young audiences
    Keyword: one act, tya, Murder-mystery, whodunit, halloween, holiday, high schools
    ONE-ACT: When a group of junior high students find a dead body at their Literary Detective Club’s Halloween party, they must solve the mystery of how it got there, and if one of their own was responsible.
  • Focus: A Zoom Play by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 9
    ·
    Cast: 
    6
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: one-act, zoom + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, farce, zoom
    Keyword: one-act, zoom, comedy, absurd comedy, focus group, ensemble cast
    ONE-ACT: Two eccentric Petras employees lead a focus group over Zoom to test out the company’s new product. It does not go to plan.

    Or does it? A comedy about the things we'll do for some extra cash.
  • For a Limited Time Only by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 9
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: one-act, bread + 6 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, experimental, horror, mystery/thriller, romantic comedy
    Keyword: one-act, bread, Relationships, absurd comedy, romantic horror, Surrealism, olive garden, Twilight Zone
    ONE-ACT: After getting the unlimited bread deal at the Italian Garden Factory, Arlo and Val are both stuffed and ready for the check. But their server doesn’t bring them their check. They bring them more bread. They keep...bringing them more bread. They won’t stop. They won’t ever stop. The bread is unlimited. And there is no escape. A romantic horror comedy about the hard truth that nothing lasts forever, except maybe bread.
  • Vignettes for an Idol Beachfront by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    7
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: one-act, suicide + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, experimental, movement/physical
    Keyword: one-act, suicide, Greek mythology, Antigone, ensemble cast, site specific, plays with music
    ONE-ACT: Atalanta (not that one) and Antigone (that one) must determine what should be done when laundry day is interrupted by the appearance of a dead lady, especially after she comes back to life.
  • You See Them in the Corners of Your Eyes by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 6
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, fable/folktale + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: one-act, two-hander + 6 more
    Genre: drama, fable/folktale, horror
    Keyword: one-act, two-hander, scary stories, friendship, guilt, grief, S'mores, site specific
    ONE-ACT: Every year, Max and Charlie meet at an old well in an old forest clearing to tell scary stories, eat S'mores, and just hang out. This year will be like every year. Or will it?
  • The Apothecary by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 8
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: drama, fantasy
    ·
    Keyword: Fantasy, addiction + 2 more
    Genre: drama, fantasy
    Keyword: Fantasy, addiction, poison, fear
    TEN MINUTE: In a village too small for a name, an apothecary has made a name for herself, selling poison to those with strange tastes and desires. Today, two villagers want her gone. And they will not take no for an answer.
  • Assassinating Zeus by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, experimental + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: Therapy, trauma + 3 more
    Genre: dark comedy, experimental, horror, mystery/thriller
    Keyword: Therapy, trauma, Stalking, patriarchy, goose
    TEN MINUTE: Two patients discuss a unique, goose-related problem with their therapist.
  • Barbarian by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 13
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: drama, faith-based + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: horror, period + 5 more
    Genre: drama, faith-based, horror, period
    Keyword: horror, period, Vikings, vampires, god, faith, monsters
    TEN MINUTE: In 798 A.D., a young boy encounters a fearsome Viking invader, fangs and all.
  • Black, White, & Red All Over by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 12
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: zoo, animals + 4 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: zoo, animals, Quarantine, pandemic, coronavirus, strangers
    TEN MINUTE: April, 2020. A penguin and a panda meet each other (and the other’s respective species) for the first time.
  • The Comfort Zone by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy
    ·
    Keyword: ten minute, comedy + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy
    Keyword: ten minute, comedy, cringe, comfort zone, saying yes, swingers, bars
    TEN MINUTE: Michael has been having an off year or five. Nox suggests maybe he should just try saying "yes" more. But what happens when it's Gaelen and Ashleigh making the request?
  • Field Trip (A Terrence & Ling-Ling Adventure) by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: adventure, comedy + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: zoo, animals + 7 more
    Genre: adventure, comedy, romantic comedy
    Keyword: zoo, animals, museum, penguins, Pandas, Quarantine, pandemic, coronavirus, espionage
    TEN MINUTE: June, 2020. On an excursion to the museum, Terrence encounters a familiar face.
  • The Furniture Store by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 8
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: comedy, experimental + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: absurd comedy, furniture + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, experimental, melodrama, satire
    Keyword: absurd comedy, furniture, material possessions, Freedom
    TEN MINUTE: Please come in. We are open.
  • The Get-Together by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 13
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: horror
    ·
    Keyword: horror, party + 1 more
    Genre: horror
    Keyword: horror, party, 1920s
    TEN MINUTE: Lora and Cassidy are at the party. They do not want to be at the party. Everyone else wants them to be at the party.
  • How to Talk to Your Child About BDSM by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 14
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: comedy, BDSM + 7 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: comedy, BDSM, family, Parenting, Sex, sex-positive, bondage, gimp, honesty
    TEN MINUTE: If someone interrupts your bondage session, it's always hard to explain yourself to them. It's even harder when the person is your ten-year-old son. A comedy about honesty, sex, and the surprising number of ways to have them.
  • How to Talk to Your Child About Satan by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 12
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: comedy, faith-based + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: comedy, Satanism + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, faith-based, movement/physical
    Keyword: comedy, Satanism, family, Parenting, adult friendship, faith
    TEN MINUTE: If someone interrupts your Satanic ritual, it's always hard to explain yourself to them. It's even harder when the person is your six-year-old daughter. A comedy about being yourself and the surprising number of ways to hail Satan.
  • Water Damage by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 13
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, horror
    ·
    Keyword: supernatural, haunting + 3 more
    Genre: drama, horror
    Keyword: supernatural, haunting, trauma, abuse, domestic violence
    TEN MINUTE: A clairvoyant helps a young man determine the exact nature of his recent supernatural experiences.

    CW: Implied and audible domestic violence/abuse

    *This play was developed during Playdate Theatre’s 2021 New Work Development Conference.
  • A Short Visual Aid of Life in America During the Year of Our Lord, 2020 by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: one person play, baseball + 3 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: one person play, baseball, 2020, pandemic, coronavirus
    TWO MINUTE: Two outs. Bases loaded. Everything is on Gonzalez' shoulders as he steps up to the plate.
  • The RAKEoning by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 9
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy
    ·
    Keyword: comedy, midlife crisis + 1 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy
    Keyword: comedy, midlife crisis, addiction
    TWO MINUTE: The Solis' rake is missing. What happened? Ashleigh took it. Why? That question has a more interesting answer.
  • Ashleigh Says Out Loud the Thing She Meant to Say in Her Head by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 10
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy
    ·
    Keyword: one minute, suburbia + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy
    Keyword: one minute, suburbia, fire pit, neighbors, axe
    ONE MINUTE: Ashleigh and Diana are prepping for a fire pit get-together in the backyard. Then Ashleigh says out loud the thing she meant to say in her head.
  • Gratitude 4 by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: adventure, drama
    ·
    Keyword: one minute, one person play + 4 more
    Genre: adventure, drama
    Keyword: one minute, one person play, Survival, thirst, life, death
    ONE MINUTE: A crash survivor struggles in a vast desert.
  • Gratitude 31 by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: one minute, smoking + 5 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: one minute, smoking, cigarettes, Peace, fear, cityscape, night
    ONE MINUTE: Two smokers share an encounter amidst the sounds of the city.
  • The Remarkably Unremarkable Crucifixion of Emma Reynolds by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 6
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: experimental, tragedy
    ·
    Keyword: monologue, experimental + 2 more
    Genre: experimental, tragedy
    Keyword: monologue, experimental, bullying, inaction
    MONOLOGUE/TEN MINUTES: Emma tells us, the audience, about a school assembly that took an unexpected turn.
  • A Reputation (A Short Monologue About Matthew Weaver, Whom I Have Never Met and Hopefully Takes No Issue With the Existence of the Following Existential Musings) by Daniel Prillaman
    Recommendations: 6
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: comedy, experimental
    ·
    Keyword: monologue, Matthew Weaver + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, experimental
    Keyword: monologue, Matthew Weaver, names, reputations, playwrights
    MONOLOGUE/TWO MINUTES: A human who has never met Matthew Weaver talks about Matthew Weaver.