Donald E. Baker

Donald E. Baker

Donald E. Baker's work attempts to shine light into the dark corners of American society--homophobia, racism, misogyny, right-wing extremism. Oh, and he also writes comedies. His work has been performed in Texas, Virginia, Florida, Iowa, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Washington state. Born and raised in Indiana, he now lives with his husband in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
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Donald E. Baker's work attempts to shine light into the dark corners of American society--homophobia, racism, misogyny, right-wing extremism. Oh, and he also writes comedies. His work has been performed in Texas, Virginia, Florida, Iowa, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Washington state. Born and raised in Indiana, he now lives with his husband in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

By downloading any of the plays below, you hereby acknowledge that Donald E. Baker is the sole copyright owner of these plays. None of these plays may be produced or reproduced in whole or in part unless permission is granted by Donald E. Baker or his designated agents.

Copies of the full scripts and licensing information for "Trade With Klan," "Grand Dragon in Power," and "Baker's Dozen" are available from the publisher, Next Stage Press: https://nextstagepress.com/.

Plays

  • Grand Dragon in Power by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    6
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    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic + 3 more
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    Keyword: KKK, Indiana + 7 more
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic, drama, period, political
    Keyword: KKK, Indiana, based on a true story, religious bigotry, xenophobia, Stephenson, Oberholtzer, murder, rape
    FULL LENGTH. When the Grand Dragon takes charge, nothing is sacred and no woman is safe. D.C. Stephenson, Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan, rules Indiana until he is convicted of murder and rape. He is a power-hungry, narcissistic, sexual predator. This play, set in the 1920's and inspired by a true story, contains startling parallels to the society and politics of contemporary America. Panglossian...
    FULL LENGTH. When the Grand Dragon takes charge, nothing is sacred and no woman is safe. D.C. Stephenson, Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan, rules Indiana until he is convicted of murder and rape. He is a power-hungry, narcissistic, sexual predator. This play, set in the 1920's and inspired by a true story, contains startling parallels to the society and politics of contemporary America. Panglossian Productions of Williamsburg, Virginia, recorded a staged reading and uploaded it to their website, November, 2020. A radio adaptation was performed before a live audience in March, 2018, by the Radio Theatre Project of St. Petersburg, Florida, and is available on Soundcloud.com. Copies of the full script and licensing information are available from the publisher, Next Stage Press: https://www.nextstagepress.com/grand-dragon-in-power/

  • Trade With Klan by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 12
    ·
    Cast: 
    7
    ·
    Genre: drama, period + 1 more
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    Keyword: KKK, xenophobia + 8 more
    Genre: drama, period, political
    Keyword: KKK, xenophobia, religious intolerance, 1920s, Indiana, small-town life, political resistance, rural America, Catholics and Protestants, militant evangelicalism
    (Alt. title: "Back Home Again") FULL LENGTH. What do you do when people you love choose hate? A play about the life-altering choices people must make in the face of extremism abetted by Evangelicalism. The world of the play is the 1920’s, but the religious prejudice and xenophobia of a century ago still echo in contemporary American society. All the characters are White because there were so few...
    (Alt. title: "Back Home Again") FULL LENGTH. What do you do when people you love choose hate? A play about the life-altering choices people must make in the face of extremism abetted by Evangelicalism. The world of the play is the 1920’s, but the religious prejudice and xenophobia of a century ago still echo in contemporary American society. All the characters are White because there were so few African-Americans in rural Indiana at the time, the White folks turned on each other and Protestant/Catholic conflict became the issue. Premiered in Austin TX by Southwest Theater Productions, Jan.-Feb., 2020. Copies of the full script and licensing information are available from the publisher, Next Stage Press: https://nextstagepress.com/trade-with-klan-a-play-about-choices/

  • Baker's Dozen: 13 Gay Plays and Monologues by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    6
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama
    ·
    Keyword: gay life, gay love + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, drama
    Keyword: gay life, gay love, gay relationships, homophobia, racism, aging, monologue
    COLLECTION. "Baker’s Dozen" is a collection of 13 short gay-themed comedies and dramas for 1, 2, or 3 actors. From a drama in which the same-sex partner and the homophobic sister of a dying man meet for the first time, to a comedy about a man summoning a demon on a dating app; from a monologue in which a man recalls the sexual abuse he suffered when he was thirteen, to the gentle humor of an older gay...
    COLLECTION. "Baker’s Dozen" is a collection of 13 short gay-themed comedies and dramas for 1, 2, or 3 actors. From a drama in which the same-sex partner and the homophobic sister of a dying man meet for the first time, to a comedy about a man summoning a demon on a dating app; from a monologue in which a man recalls the sexual abuse he suffered when he was thirteen, to the gentle humor of an older gay couple bickering about aging and flirtatious baristas—these pieces—and more—will tug at your heartstrings and tickle your funny bone. Most of all, they’ll remind you of the great variety of the gay experience. Full copies of the collection and licensing information are available from the publisher, Next Stage Press (https://www.nextstagepress.com/bakers-dozen/).
  • Best Friends by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 6
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: Closeted gay man, small-town life + 5 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: Closeted gay man, small-town life, teenage sexual exploration, HIV/AIDS, 1970's, 1980's, internalized homophobia
    SHORT DRAMA IN TWO SCENES (60 minutes). Draft 10/24/23. Eddie and Danny are blue-collar small-town guys. In Scene 1 (1975), Eddie questions his sexuality after an encounter in a public restroom. When he turns to his best friend Danny for help, the toxic nature of their lifelong relationship is revealed. In Scene 2 (1985), both men discover they may have been infected with HIV/AIDS. Can that shared experience...
    SHORT DRAMA IN TWO SCENES (60 minutes). Draft 10/24/23. Eddie and Danny are blue-collar small-town guys. In Scene 1 (1975), Eddie questions his sexuality after an encounter in a public restroom. When he turns to his best friend Danny for help, the toxic nature of their lifelong relationship is revealed. In Scene 2 (1985), both men discover they may have been infected with HIV/AIDS. Can that shared experience rekindle their friendship? STRONG LANGUAGE.
  • Everyday Monsters by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 13
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: discussion of childhood sexual abuse in the past (not depicted), sexual abuse against males + 3 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: discussion of childhood sexual abuse in the past (not depicted), sexual abuse against males, centers lgbt character, internalized homophobia, gay white privilege
    25-30 MINUTE DUOLOGUE. Draft 12/09/23. A man confronts his abuser 27 years after the fact. Douglas, a White romance novelist, and Timothy, a Black college professor, have a history. Twenty-seven years previously Douglas hired the 13-year-old Timothy to mow his lawn and subsequently sexually abused him for several months. In the intervening years Douglas has enjoyed increasing success while Timothy has been...
    25-30 MINUTE DUOLOGUE. Draft 12/09/23. A man confronts his abuser 27 years after the fact. Douglas, a White romance novelist, and Timothy, a Black college professor, have a history. Twenty-seven years previously Douglas hired the 13-year-old Timothy to mow his lawn and subsequently sexually abused him for several months. In the intervening years Douglas has enjoyed increasing success while Timothy has been mired in fear and self-loathing. Now Douglas opens his door to discover the grown-up Timothy standing on his door-step, and he has a gun. Issues of sexual trauma and white power emerge as the two men hurl conflicting memories at each other, and the tension builds to a shattering conclusion.

    This play has adult language and content. It references childhood sexual abuse although no abuse is depicted. A gun is seen onstage and there is the sound of a gunshot.
  • Everyday Monsters (Audio) by Donald E. Baker
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama
    Genre: drama
    30 MINUTE AUDIO PLAY. Draft 10/23/23. A man confronts his abuser 27 years after the fact. Douglas, a famous White novelist, and Timothy, a Black college professor, have a history. Twenty-seven years previously Douglas hired the 13-year-old Timothy to mow his lawn and subsequently sexually abused him for several months. In the intervening years Douglas has enjoyed increasing success while Timothy has been mired...
    30 MINUTE AUDIO PLAY. Draft 10/23/23. A man confronts his abuser 27 years after the fact. Douglas, a famous White novelist, and Timothy, a Black college professor, have a history. Twenty-seven years previously Douglas hired the 13-year-old Timothy to mow his lawn and subsequently sexually abused him for several months. In the intervening years Douglas has enjoyed increasing success while Timothy has been mired in fear and self-loathing. Now Douglas opens his door to discover the grown-up Timothy standing on his door-step, and he has a gun. Issues of sexual trauma and white power emerge as the two men hurl conflicting memories at each other, and the tension builds to a shattering conclusion.

    This play has adult language and content. It references childhood sexual abuse although no abuse is depicted. A gun is seen onstage and there is the sound of a gunshot.
  • Grand Dragon in Power: A Radio Play by Donald E. Baker
    Cast: 
    6
    ·
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: KKK, based on a true story + 5 more
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic, drama, period, political, radio drama
    Keyword: KKK, based on a true story, radio, misogyny, Political Corruption, murder, immigration
    60 MINUTES. When the Grand Dragon takes charge, nothing is sacred and no woman is safe.

    D.C. Stephenson, Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan, rules Indiana until he is convicted of murder and rape. Set in the 1920's and based on a true story, the play contains startling parallels to the politics of contemporary America.

    The performance by the Radio Theatre Project at the Studo@...
    60 MINUTES. When the Grand Dragon takes charge, nothing is sacred and no woman is safe.

    D.C. Stephenson, Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan, rules Indiana until he is convicted of murder and rape. Set in the 1920's and based on a true story, the play contains startling parallels to the politics of contemporary America.

    The performance by the Radio Theatre Project at the Studo@620 in St. Petersburg, Florida, on March 26, 2018, is available on Soundcloud.com at: https://soundcloud.com/radiotheatreproject/grand-dragon-in-power-by-donald-e-baker
  • Aunt Nellie's Two Cents Worth by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 10
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: 1950's, Indiana + 4 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: 1950's, Indiana, Hoosiers, rural life, Catholics, Protestants
    10 MINUTE TWO-HANDER. Flo’s son has not only rejected his parents’ plans for his future, he just might end up marrying outside his religion. Whether Flo likes it or not, she’ll get Aunt Nellie’s two cents worth of advice on the situation. (Aunt is always pronounced like the insect.)
  • Best Friends (One Act) by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: features LGBTQ character, small cast + 4 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: features LGBTQ character, small cast, teen-age sexual exploration, closeted men, small-town life, conservative religious background
    15-20-MINUTE TWO-HANDER. (Rev. 091223) Eddie and Danny’s lifelong friendship comes apart under the stress of deception, sexual fear, and self-loathing. The two are a couple of blue-collar guys. As teenagers in high school (Class of 1968) they engaged in a little sexual exploration with each other until they started dating girls. After graduation they stayed in their small hometown, got married, and had kids....
    15-20-MINUTE TWO-HANDER. (Rev. 091223) Eddie and Danny’s lifelong friendship comes apart under the stress of deception, sexual fear, and self-loathing. The two are a couple of blue-collar guys. As teenagers in high school (Class of 1968) they engaged in a little sexual exploration with each other until they started dating girls. After graduation they stayed in their small hometown, got married, and had kids. After an encounter in a public restroom, Eddie questions his sexuality and is overcome with religious guilt. When he turns to his best friend Danny for help, the toxic nature of their relationship is revealed. GRAPHIC LANGUAGE. This is also serves as Act I of the full-length version.
  • Coming Out to Uncle Jake by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 12
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: features LGBTQ character, conservatives vs liberals + 1 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: features LGBTQ character, conservatives vs liberals, Thanksgiving
    ONE MINUTE TWO-HANDER. Robert tells his mother he has finally had enough of Uncle Jake's Thanksgiving rants about "people like him" and plans to confront him at the next family dinner. There's a bit of a twist at the end. Published in "Fresh Words: An International Literary Magazine: LAAFTRRRRR, An Anthology of One-Minute Comic Plays Volume I" (August, 2023).
  • Feeling Devilish by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 12
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: demons, Grindr + 2 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: demons, Grindr, Tinder, lawyer
    6-MINUTE TWO-HANDER. Roger's best friend is very concerned when they discover Roger met a demon on an online dating site. They're even more concerned when the demon turns out to be a personal injury lawyer. Originally written in response to a prompt in the Threshold Theatre (Minneapolis) 30-day writing challenge, 2022.
    Published in “Baker’s Dozen: 13 Gay Plays and Monologues” from Next Stage Press, 2023.
  • For a Man Your Age by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 12
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: older gay men, Aging Gay Male Relationship + 1 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: older gay men, Aging Gay Male Relationship, features LGBTQ characters
    TEN-MINUTE TWO-HANDER. Married couple Will and Michael are growing older, Will gracefully, Michael not so much. With their elevator not working, they find themselves trapped in their high-rise condo, discussing aging, flirtatious baristas, and the "National Geographic."
    Published in “Baker’s Dozen: 13 Gay Plays and Monologues” from Next Stage Press, 2023.
  • Getting to Know You by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: sexual misunderstanding, bisexual curiosity + 3 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: sexual misunderstanding, bisexual curiosity, Closeted gay man, gay/straight encounter, hotel
    8-MINUTE TWO-HANDER. A straight(?) man suggests he and a gay co-worker share a hotel room at a business conference so they can “get to know each other a little better.” They may have different ideas about just what that means.
  • Guilt by Association by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 11
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: fathers and sons, gay bullying + 4 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: fathers and sons, gay bullying, gay bashing, gays in the military, 1950s America, Gay Suicide
    20-MINUTE PLAY.(Rev. 091223) In 1950, a pleasant father-son evening of window shopping for cars turns serious when the son mentions his best friend is considering suicide. The friend is being bullied at school because he’s thought to be “queer.” This triggers a painful memory from the father’s days in the army in World War II. Their conversation results in mutual revelations that change their relationship...
    20-MINUTE PLAY.(Rev. 091223) In 1950, a pleasant father-son evening of window shopping for cars turns serious when the son mentions his best friend is considering suicide. The friend is being bullied at school because he’s thought to be “queer.” This triggers a painful memory from the father’s days in the army in World War II. Their conversation results in mutual revelations that change their relationship going forward.
    Published in “Baker’s Dozen: 13 Gay Plays and Monologues” from Next Stage Press, 2023.
  • I Invited Your Mother for Thanksgiving by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 13
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: Family. Gay. LGBTQ, family estrangement + 1 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: Family. Gay. LGBTQ, family estrangement, Thanksgiving
    10-MINUTE TWO-HANDER. Warren has been estranged from his mother for five years, ever since she discovered he is gay. He is not pleased to find out she and his partner Dale talk on the phone regularly. And that Dale has invited her to Thanksgiving. And that she will be joining them at the traditional “orphans’ feast” where she will be surrounded by all their gay friends. Can Warren be placated by Dale's...
    10-MINUTE TWO-HANDER. Warren has been estranged from his mother for five years, ever since she discovered he is gay. He is not pleased to find out she and his partner Dale talk on the phone regularly. And that Dale has invited her to Thanksgiving. And that she will be joining them at the traditional “orphans’ feast” where she will be surrounded by all their gay friends. Can Warren be placated by Dale's homemade cinnamon rolls? A domestic comedy about being open to reconciliation when the opportunity presents itself.
    Produced as part of Chapin (SC) Theatre Company's Second Annual 10-Minute-Ish Play Festival, 2022. Published in “Baker’s Dozen: 13 Gay Plays and Monologues” from Next Stage Press, 2023.
  • Life Support by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 16
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: features LGBTQ character, homophobia + 1 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: features LGBTQ character, homophobia, end of life issues
    TEN-MINUTE TWO-HANDER. Ben, who never appears in the play, is in the hospital on life support following an accident. His lover of five years, Jonathan, and Ben's homophobic sister, Sandra, meet for the first time to discuss what happens next. The encounter does not go well as the two argue about the definition of family, religion, and whether one can "love the sinner but hate the sin."
    ...
    TEN-MINUTE TWO-HANDER. Ben, who never appears in the play, is in the hospital on life support following an accident. His lover of five years, Jonathan, and Ben's homophobic sister, Sandra, meet for the first time to discuss what happens next. The encounter does not go well as the two argue about the definition of family, religion, and whether one can "love the sinner but hate the sin."
    Published in “Baker’s Dozen: 13 Gay Plays and Monologues” from Next Stage Press, 2023.

  • The Long and Short of It by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 6
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: penis size, size matters + 4 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: penis size, size matters, body acceptance, masculinity, body anxiety, male angst
    8-10 MINUTE PLAY. Gina and Dick discuss their son’s—and Dick’s—anxiety about not measuring up "down there." Does size really matter?
  • Marvin and the Muses by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: playwrights, muses + 2 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: playwrights, muses, writer's block, gay men
    5 MINUTE PLAY. Struggling playwright Marvin fires his Muse, but will her hunky replacement prove to be more distraction than inspiration?
    Published in “Baker’s Dozen: 13 Gay Plays and Monologues” from Next Stage Press, 2023.
  • Mutual Attraction by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: gay bar, flirtation + 1 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: gay bar, flirtation, size queens
    ONE MINUTE PLAY. Two men meet in a gay bar and discover they have something in common.
  • What Happened This Time? by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: Klutz, clumsiness
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: Klutz, clumsiness
    TWO-MINUTE COMEDY for two actors of any age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or gender expression. The “Klutz of All Klutzes” explains to their spouse why an attempt to take a box to the trash means a trip to the ER and the pet cemetery.
    Published in “Baker’s Dozen: 13 Gay Plays and Monologues” from Next Stage Press, 2023.
  • After It Stopped (Monologue) by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: childhood sexual abuse, sex abuse against males + 2 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: childhood sexual abuse, sex abuse against males, centers lgbt character, monologue
    FOUR-MINUTE MONOLOGUE TIMOTHY, a 38-year-old man recalls the aftereffects of the sexual abuse he suffered when he was thirteen.
    Published in “Baker’s Dozen: 13 Gay Plays and Monologues” from Next Stage Press, 2023.
  • The Boys Across the Street (Monologue) by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 16
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: LGBTQ, same-sex marriage + 5 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: LGBTQ, same-sex marriage, interracial gay couple, prejudice, homophobia, Obergefell, monologue
    TWO-MINUTE MONOLOGUE. An older white woman discovers an interracial same-sex couple is moving in across the street. Revised after the reversal of Roe v. Wade seemed to endanger Obergefell.
    Original version produced on Facebook by Stage Left Theater of Spokane, March, 2022.
    Published in “Baker’s Dozen: 13 Gay Plays and Monologues” from Next Stage Press, 2023.
  • Dad and Uncle Mark (Monologue) by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: being in the closet, features LGBTQ character
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: being in the closet, features LGBTQ character
    7-MINUTE MONOLOGUE. Doug, now in his seventies, recalls his thirteen-year-old self spying on Dad and "Uncle Mark" when they were supposed to be building birdhouses down in the basement workshop. What he sees through a knothole begins his own journey of sexual awareness but results in the destruction of his father's relationship with his oldest and dearest friend.
    Published in “Baker’s...
    7-MINUTE MONOLOGUE. Doug, now in his seventies, recalls his thirteen-year-old self spying on Dad and "Uncle Mark" when they were supposed to be building birdhouses down in the basement workshop. What he sees through a knothole begins his own journey of sexual awareness but results in the destruction of his father's relationship with his oldest and dearest friend.
    Published in “Baker’s Dozen: 13 Gay Plays and Monologues” from Next Stage Press, 2023.
  • The First Time (Monologue) by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: features gay character, teen-age sexual exploration + 2 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: features gay character, teen-age sexual exploration, closeted men, monologue
    5-MINUTE MONOLOGUE. A man fearfully questions his sexual identity.
    Published in “Baker’s Dozen” from Next Stage Press, 2023.
    Published in the "some scripts" anthology "Monologues by LGBTQIA+ Writers for LGBTQIA+ Actors," 2023.
  • Ice Box Cake and the Man from Lima (Monologue) by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 10
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: white privilege, race relations + 8 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, period, zoom
    Keyword: white privilege, race relations, small towns, 1950s, bunco, women, racism, black men and white women, fetishization of black men, monologue
    10-MINUTE MONOLOGUE. Velma, a White woman "of a certain age" is shocked to see a person of color walking into her neighbors' house. What if he comes peeking into Velma's windows? And what if he's out in the yard when "the girls" show up for bunco that afternoon? They'll be afraid to get out of their cars! And here she's gone to the trouble of making a special ice box...
    10-MINUTE MONOLOGUE. Velma, a White woman "of a certain age" is shocked to see a person of color walking into her neighbors' house. What if he comes peeking into Velma's windows? And what if he's out in the yard when "the girls" show up for bunco that afternoon? They'll be afraid to get out of their cars! And here she's gone to the trouble of making a special ice box cake for refreshments! The monologue uses gossipy humor to illustrate the casual racism of the 1950s and to demonstrate that fear of young Black men is nothing new in American society. Produced on Facebook and Vimeo by Stage Left Theater of Spokane on October 8, 2021, with Lynn Noel as Velma, directed by Susan Hardie.
  • Intestate: A COVID-19 Monologue by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 8
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: drama, tragedy + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: Covid-19, coronavirus + 6 more
    Genre: drama, tragedy, zoom
    Keyword: Covid-19, coronavirus, virus, plague, gay, LGBTQ, monologue, a short Zoom play
    7-8-MINUTE MONOLOGUE. Fifty-year-old Richard lived with David and worked in his store, but the two never got around to getting married or doing the necessary legal paperwork. Now David is dead from COVID and his homophobic mother has inherited everything. Richard finds himself unemployed and homeless, angry and bitter--and very afraid he may have given David the virus that killed him.
    Published in “...
    7-8-MINUTE MONOLOGUE. Fifty-year-old Richard lived with David and worked in his store, but the two never got around to getting married or doing the necessary legal paperwork. Now David is dead from COVID and his homophobic mother has inherited everything. Richard finds himself unemployed and homeless, angry and bitter--and very afraid he may have given David the virus that killed him.
    Published in “Baker’s Dozen: 13 Gay Plays and Monologues” from Next Stage Press, 2023.
    Published in the "some scripts" anthology "Monologues by LGBTQIA+ Writers for LGBTQIA+ Actors," 2023.
    Performed in 2022 by Magnolia Arts Center in Greenville NC (awarded audience favorite).
    Performed in 2021 by Talking Horse Productions in Columbia MO.
    Published by the "some scripts online literary journal" in Issue 4: Outbreak, 2021.
  • A Lynch Mob Foiled (Monologue) by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: docudrama/historic
    ·
    Keyword: lynching, Vanderburgh County + 5 more
    Genre: docudrama/historic
    Keyword: lynching, Vanderburgh County, Evansville, Indiana, Lemcke, African-American experience, monologue
    MONOLOGUE: 5-6 minutes. A besieged jail. A frightened Black prisoner. An angry White mob. A sheriff determined to uphold the rule of law. A daring escape in the dead of night. Julius August “Gus” Lemcke (pronounced “LEM-key”) was sheriff of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, in 1880 when a clash between overheated political partisans resulted in a Black Republican and a White Democrat shooting each other. The White...
    MONOLOGUE: 5-6 minutes. A besieged jail. A frightened Black prisoner. An angry White mob. A sheriff determined to uphold the rule of law. A daring escape in the dead of night. Julius August “Gus” Lemcke (pronounced “LEM-key”) was sheriff of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, in 1880 when a clash between overheated political partisans resulted in a Black Republican and a White Democrat shooting each other. The White man was cared for by his friends. The Black man ended up in the county jail, surrounded by armed and angry citizens determined to lynch him from the nearest tree. This monologue is adapted from Lemcke’s own account of this episode in his 1905 published memoir.
  • My Summer of Cypress Gardens (Monologue) by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: American race relations and racism, older gay men + 2 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: American race relations and racism, older gay men, 1950's, monologue
    9-10 minute MONOLOGUE. A White man in his seventies recalls the childhood trip to Florida when the “saw” Black people for the first time and also experienced the first stirrings of sexual awakening.
    Published in "Baker's Dozen: 13 Gay Plays and Monologues" by Next Stage Press, 2023.
  • Yeah, I Have Regrets (Monologue) by Donald E. Baker
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: regret, Edith Piaf + 2 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: regret, Edith Piaf, Frank Sinatra, monologue
    2-3 MINUTE MONOLOGUE. Musings from a life of experience. For an older actor of any gender expression, race, or ethnicity.
  • Everyday Monsters (Audio) by Donald E. Baker
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: Audio, discussion of childhood sexual abuse in the past (not depicted) + 4 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: Audio, discussion of childhood sexual abuse in the past (not depicted), sexual abuse against males, centers lgbt character, internalized homophobia, gay white privilege
    30 MINUTE AUDIO PLAY. Draft 10/23/23. A man confronts his abuser 27 years after the fact. Douglas, a famous White novelist, and Timothy, a Black college professor, have a history. Twenty-seven years previously Douglas hired the 13-year-old Timothy to mow his lawn and subsequently sexually abused him for several months. In the intervening years Douglas has enjoyed increasing success while Timothy has been mired...
    30 MINUTE AUDIO PLAY. Draft 10/23/23. A man confronts his abuser 27 years after the fact. Douglas, a famous White novelist, and Timothy, a Black college professor, have a history. Twenty-seven years previously Douglas hired the 13-year-old Timothy to mow his lawn and subsequently sexually abused him for several months. In the intervening years Douglas has enjoyed increasing success while Timothy has been mired in fear and self-loathing. Now Douglas opens his door to discover the grown-up Timothy standing on his door-step, and he has a gun. Issues of sexual trauma and white power emerge as the two men hurl conflicting memories at each other, and the tension builds to a shattering conclusion.

    This play has adult language and content. It references childhood sexual abuse although no abuse is depicted. A gun is seen onstage and there is the sound of a gunshot.