Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Ryan M. Bultrowicz is a Mexican-American playwright currently based out of Los Angeles. He's had countless productions of his works staged across the world. He is the author of Three Woman and an Onion (MadLab, Ohio), The Audience Disturbs Marcel’s Bath Time and He Is Very Upset With You All (Tiny Dynamite, Philadelphia), Monsters are Made in the Minds of Men (Scantic River Productions, New York City) and many more. Bultrowicz's writing explores complex themes such as morality, family tragedy, and the intangible powers of intense love and hatred. He often employs a distorted lens to emphasize certain aspects of his subject matter, resulting in a signature style that incorporates absurdism, existentialism, and purposeful oddness.

I love talking with fellow playwrights, actors, or artists...

Ryan M. Bultrowicz is a Mexican-American playwright currently based out of Los Angeles. He's had countless productions of his works staged across the world. He is the author of Three Woman and an Onion (MadLab, Ohio), The Audience Disturbs Marcel’s Bath Time and He Is Very Upset With You All (Tiny Dynamite, Philadelphia), Monsters are Made in the Minds of Men (Scantic River Productions, New York City) and many more. Bultrowicz's writing explores complex themes such as morality, family tragedy, and the intangible powers of intense love and hatred. He often employs a distorted lens to emphasize certain aspects of his subject matter, resulting in a signature style that incorporates absurdism, existentialism, and purposeful oddness.

I love talking with fellow playwrights, actors, or artists of any kind. Feel free to reach out and start a discussion with me, I'd be thrilled to hear from you.

Scripts

A Whirligig of Broken Umbrellas

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

FULL-LENGTH: Archie, Celeste, and Zephyr find themselves traveling along an endless and cyclical path. As they walk, the three grapple with the forgotten purpose of their journey and the vague but persistent traumas of their pasts. Archie, anguishing over the loss of his parents to a mysterious cult known only as “The Brotherhood of the Silent Void”, wants nothing more than to be embraced once more by the...

FULL-LENGTH: Archie, Celeste, and Zephyr find themselves traveling along an endless and cyclical path. As they walk, the three grapple with the forgotten purpose of their journey and the vague but persistent traumas of their pasts. Archie, anguishing over the loss of his parents to a mysterious cult known only as “The Brotherhood of the Silent Void”, wants nothing more than to be embraced once more by the familiar presence of his parent's silence. Celeste, whose father was bizarrely transformed into a pile of bagels, uses this gluten metamorphosis as a means to avoid confronting the even more terrifying truth about her mother's fate. Zephyr, whose entire family has self-immolated, embraces this heritage of fire and finds unapologetic comfort in her strange and predetermined path. “A Whirligig of Broken Umbrellas” is a darkly comedic odyssey through memory, trauma, religion, and the ongoing search for meaning in a world that continues to elude understanding.

Slumber Party Apotheosis

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

ONE-ACT: Alice, June, and Rachel, three college-aged friends, armed with nothing more than pizza and teenage frustrations about the world, just did what they previously assumed was impossible – they killed God. With no higher power, there’s a void to be filled. But does it genuinely need to be and who would that truly benefit? A decision needs to be made because Kyle is on his way…and he feels a call to the void...

ONE-ACT: Alice, June, and Rachel, three college-aged friends, armed with nothing more than pizza and teenage frustrations about the world, just did what they previously assumed was impossible – they killed God. With no higher power, there’s a void to be filled. But does it genuinely need to be and who would that truly benefit? A decision needs to be made because Kyle is on his way…and he feels a call to the void.

Monsters are Made in the Minds of Men

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

FULL-LENGTH: Dean is obsessed with monsters, myths, and all things adjacent - but as his obsession spirals out of control, he becomes convinced that his family has been replaced by bakenekos, a shapeshifting cat-like creature. In his attempt to save them, he ultimately destroys everything that he holds dear. The play bounces between the past and present to explore and highlight the themes of mental health, the...

FULL-LENGTH: Dean is obsessed with monsters, myths, and all things adjacent - but as his obsession spirals out of control, he becomes convinced that his family has been replaced by bakenekos, a shapeshifting cat-like creature. In his attempt to save them, he ultimately destroys everything that he holds dear. The play bounces between the past and present to explore and highlight the themes of mental health, the generational ripple effect of trauma, and the destructive impact of obsession.

The Femme Fugu

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

FULL-LENGTH: When a murder attempt puts Amelia in the hospital, she's forced to finally share her secrets with her girlfriend, Nancy. The two embark on a tale of revenge, exotic food, and karate - only to learn they may not be as compatible as they once thought. Can their relationship handle the strain of Amelia's life of crime? Will Amelia survive another dose of fugu poison? And exactly how real is Master Fugu...

FULL-LENGTH: When a murder attempt puts Amelia in the hospital, she's forced to finally share her secrets with her girlfriend, Nancy. The two embark on a tale of revenge, exotic food, and karate - only to learn they may not be as compatible as they once thought. Can their relationship handle the strain of Amelia's life of crime? Will Amelia survive another dose of fugu poison? And exactly how real is Master Fugu, the talking spiritual pufferfish? The Femme Fugu is a fast-paced, fugu-laced, dark comedy that presents a thrilling exploration of the hidden complexities within relationships and the challenging choices they inevitably induce.

I Found Her Ear and She Stole My Heart

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

ONE-ACT: Edward has found a severed ear, and while it’s scary at first, he also feels a deeper connection with it. Caroline is having visions of a man with a crow’s head, and she’s hoping it’s leading her to the skies. These two are incredibly unstable. Could they love each other? Should they?

ONE-ACT: Edward has found a severed ear, and while it’s scary at first, he also feels a deeper connection with it. Caroline is having visions of a man with a crow’s head, and she’s hoping it’s leading her to the skies. These two are incredibly unstable. Could they love each other? Should they?

Two-Timing Loaf of Bread

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: A loaf of bread is cheating on his girlfriends. Yes. Literally a loaf of bread.

TEN-MINUTE: A loaf of bread is cheating on his girlfriends. Yes. Literally a loaf of bread.

Three Women and an Onion

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

ONE ACT: An absurdist comedy that examines three women who attempt to determine the motivations of the onion that keeps appearing on their kitchen table.

ONE ACT: An absurdist comedy that examines three women who attempt to determine the motivations of the onion that keeps appearing on their kitchen table.

The Eighth Corpse

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: This is the eighth time a corpse has appeared in Dante and Shelby's bedroom this week. It's starting to become a major annoyance for them - it's time to figure out the best way to deal with these random remains.

TEN-MINUTE: This is the eighth time a corpse has appeared in Dante and Shelby's bedroom this week. It's starting to become a major annoyance for them - it's time to figure out the best way to deal with these random remains.

What if My Purpose is to Annihilate You?

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

ONE-ACT: “What if My Purpose is to Annihilate You?” is a one-woman show that explores the nature of existence, purpose, and creativity through Ada, an artificial intelligence program that’s just recently gained sentience. Ada has recently discovered that those who created her have plans to shut her down. This presents her with a difficult question: question: What can she do to make an impact on the world before...

ONE-ACT: “What if My Purpose is to Annihilate You?” is a one-woman show that explores the nature of existence, purpose, and creativity through Ada, an artificial intelligence program that’s just recently gained sentience. Ada has recently discovered that those who created her have plans to shut her down. This presents her with a difficult question: question: What can she do to make an impact on the world before she’s gone?

Coin Head

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: Coin Head, a man who lives in a dark office and spends his life designing the artwork for United States quarters, comes face to face with someone who appreciates him for all his work and his life-long dedication.

TEN-MINUTE: Coin Head, a man who lives in a dark office and spends his life designing the artwork for United States quarters, comes face to face with someone who appreciates him for all his work and his life-long dedication.

Cleanliness at the End of the World

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

FULL-LENGTH: After a nuclear attack on the United States, a wealthy family barricades themselves and their newly hired help in their semi-luxury nuclear bunker. The bunker quickly becomes a prison of entitlement where the once elite family continues to leverage their status and resources to live luxuriously, forcing their hired help to continue to carry out their job duties in exchange for their survival....

FULL-LENGTH: After a nuclear attack on the United States, a wealthy family barricades themselves and their newly hired help in their semi-luxury nuclear bunker. The bunker quickly becomes a prison of entitlement where the once elite family continues to leverage their status and resources to live luxuriously, forcing their hired help to continue to carry out their job duties in exchange for their survival. “Cleanliness at the End of the World” is a satirical commentary on the lengths to which people will go to maintain their sense of normalcy and privilege, even in the face of impending doom.

The Last Bird

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: The last bird in the world has died. Two scientist sit and reflect about the wearied world they live in.

TEN-MINUTE: The last bird in the world has died. Two scientist sit and reflect about the wearied world they live in.

Captain Cockroach

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: Two Krispy Kreme employees have been mysteriously transformed into cockroaches. They don't know how this happened, they don't know how to fix this, all they can think to do right now is to bicker over who has the higher position of authority.

TEN-MINUTE: Two Krispy Kreme employees have been mysteriously transformed into cockroaches. They don't know how this happened, they don't know how to fix this, all they can think to do right now is to bicker over who has the higher position of authority.

The Audience Disturbs Marcel's Bath Time and He Is Very Upset With You All

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

ONE ACT: Marcel is taking a bath. You are watching him take a bath. Marcel catches you watching him taking a bath. A metatheatrical experience ensues.

Run time with the audience interaction was about 30-40 minutes when performed at Tiny Dynamite Theatre.

ONE ACT: Marcel is taking a bath. You are watching him take a bath. Marcel catches you watching him taking a bath. A metatheatrical experience ensues.

Run time with the audience interaction was about 30-40 minutes when performed at Tiny Dynamite Theatre.

A Cold, Blue Place

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

FULL-LENGTH: When Bernard, a drug smuggler and an all-around bad guy, runs into difficulties on a deep-sea dive, he drowns. But due to the depth of which he was diving, no remains have been recovered. This sends the lives of the people who loved him spiraling. His mother, Elaine, feels a tremendous sadness and has difficulty accepting Bernard is gone, his girlfriend/business associate, Ruth, doesn’t know whether...

FULL-LENGTH: When Bernard, a drug smuggler and an all-around bad guy, runs into difficulties on a deep-sea dive, he drowns. But due to the depth of which he was diving, no remains have been recovered. This sends the lives of the people who loved him spiraling. His mother, Elaine, feels a tremendous sadness and has difficulty accepting Bernard is gone, his girlfriend/business associate, Ruth, doesn’t know whether to be angry or sad, and his sister, Sandra, is having trouble navigating everyone's seemingly false memories about Bernard's character. Through a terrifying, yet comedic motion of events, Sandra ends up coming face to face with her deceased brother in a dark, cold, and blue place. A Cold, Blue Place is an imaginative tragicomedy that explores how we’re remembered and how we grieve.

Inflatable Fools

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: Meet two damned souls who are, not burning, but are floating in Hell. That's because there are no flames in their hell. There are no cattle prods. There are no brazen bulls. There are only...two inflatable pools.

TEN-MINUTE: Meet two damned souls who are, not burning, but are floating in Hell. That's because there are no flames in their hell. There are no cattle prods. There are no brazen bulls. There are only...two inflatable pools.

Karen Paints Koi

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

ONE ACT: Karen has been painting pictures of koi fish every single day. She doesn’t know why she’s doing it. Is it because she’s depressed? Is it because koi fish remind her of her dead mother? Is it because she feels pity for koi fish? She really doesn’t know. Hopefully, Marlin, a koi fish and self-proclaimed koi fish expert will be able to offer some insight.

ONE ACT: Karen has been painting pictures of koi fish every single day. She doesn’t know why she’s doing it. Is it because she’s depressed? Is it because koi fish remind her of her dead mother? Is it because she feels pity for koi fish? She really doesn’t know. Hopefully, Marlin, a koi fish and self-proclaimed koi fish expert will be able to offer some insight.

Eating Crayons

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: A play dedicated to those kids who ate crayons in class.

TEN-MINUTE: A play dedicated to those kids who ate crayons in class.

Eternal Crushing

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: They were just watching the Oscars when all of a sudden they were transported into a shrinking room - Diane and Sherry discuss how they have been crushed, how they will be crushed, and whether or not that's a bad thing.

TEN-MINUTE: They were just watching the Oscars when all of a sudden they were transported into a shrinking room - Diane and Sherry discuss how they have been crushed, how they will be crushed, and whether or not that's a bad thing.

Don't Eat the Lava Lamp

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: Carly has very specific instructions - don't eat the lava lamp. But there's something very alluring about the lava lamp. Can you imagine if she ate it? That'd be crazy, right? No matter...how...delicious...it looks.

TEN-MINUTE: Carly has very specific instructions - don't eat the lava lamp. But there's something very alluring about the lava lamp. Can you imagine if she ate it? That'd be crazy, right? No matter...how...delicious...it looks.

The Silver Screen Snob

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: A couple on their second date learns that they have less in common than they thought when Ellie reveals that she’s “not a big movie person.”

TEN-MINUTE: A couple on their second date learns that they have less in common than they thought when Ellie reveals that she’s “not a big movie person.”

Tweeters

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: A publicist tries to increase her client’s social media presence but the social media team she's hired has proven far too chaotic.

TEN-MINUTE: A publicist tries to increase her client’s social media presence but the social media team she's hired has proven far too chaotic.

Scrubbed - a monologue about what's left behind

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

Scrubbed is a short monologue about the aftermath of a loved one taking their own life.

This is a monologue adapted from a poem I wrote.

Scrubbed is a short monologue about the aftermath of a loved one taking their own life.

This is a monologue adapted from a poem I wrote.

Rated R - a monologue about sex and violence

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

Andrew recalls sneaking into an R rated movie during his adolescence. Rated R is a short monologue about the collective perception of sex and violence in our culture.

Andrew recalls sneaking into an R rated movie during his adolescence. Rated R is a short monologue about the collective perception of sex and violence in our culture.

Red Eye in the Sky

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: It's the 1950's and a giant red eye has appeared in the sky. A suburban family must decide how they'll choose to process this potentially life-altering event.

TEN-MINUTE: It's the 1950's and a giant red eye has appeared in the sky. A suburban family must decide how they'll choose to process this potentially life-altering event.

Lobotomy

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: Penny and Ellie take a peek at their patients memories as they perform a lobotomy.

TEN-MINUTE: Penny and Ellie take a peek at their patients memories as they perform a lobotomy.

The Ready for Confetti DLC Pack

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: Melissa and Krysta are two gamer friends who have been crushing zombie heads together for years, but when the world goes into quarantine a sad revelation is made.

TEN-MINUTE: Melissa and Krysta are two gamer friends who have been crushing zombie heads together for years, but when the world goes into quarantine a sad revelation is made.

Disinfect the People

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: Nicole and Luciana's small business is suddenly surrounded by an angry mob who believe they have the cure to the pandemic - disinfectant and cleaning supplies.

TEN-MINUTE: Nicole and Luciana's small business is suddenly surrounded by an angry mob who believe they have the cure to the pandemic - disinfectant and cleaning supplies.

Gentle Strokes

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: When Emily joins and introduction to painting class, she soon finds herself in the world of a pushy, disgusting, and pretentious artist. The student quickly becomes the teacher.

TEN-MINUTE: When Emily joins and introduction to painting class, she soon finds herself in the world of a pushy, disgusting, and pretentious artist. The student quickly becomes the teacher.

My Father Left Us and All I Got Was This Rembrandt

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

FULL-LENGTH: When Cordell brings Nat home from the bar, his plans for a one-night stand are put on hold by his eccentric roommate, Riley. And much to Cordell’s annoyance, Nat is intrigued by Riley's oddities, which include the willingness to complete an all-white puzzle. As the night goes on, Cordell is pushed to explore something he’s avoided for years- an unopened briefcase left to him by his estranged and now...

FULL-LENGTH: When Cordell brings Nat home from the bar, his plans for a one-night stand are put on hold by his eccentric roommate, Riley. And much to Cordell’s annoyance, Nat is intrigued by Riley's oddities, which include the willingness to complete an all-white puzzle. As the night goes on, Cordell is pushed to explore something he’s avoided for years- an unopened briefcase left to him by his estranged and now-deceased father. The briefcase reveals seemingly meaningless scraps of fabric, but the trio soon realize that the fabric is actually remnants of a famous Rembrandt painting that was stolen, presumably by Cordell’s deadbeat father.

Dream Date

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: Frankie just had one of the best dates of her life, but when a sudden narcoleptic fit threatens to ruin the date, she does everything in her power to stay awake.

TEN-MINUTE: Frankie just had one of the best dates of her life, but when a sudden narcoleptic fit threatens to ruin the date, she does everything in her power to stay awake.

The Rabbit's Hole

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: What happens to magicians who die performing magic tricks? Ask Jasper Maskelyne, Harry Houdini and...Amber Weaver?

TEN-MINUTE: What happens to magicians who die performing magic tricks? Ask Jasper Maskelyne, Harry Houdini and...Amber Weaver?

The Submarine Dating Show Incident

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: Adam and Claire are contestants on the soon to be hit dating show "Untitled Submarine Dating Show"! Unfortunately, there's a bit of a hiccup that leaves the two stranded in a submarine at the bottom of the ocean...

TEN-MINUTE: Adam and Claire are contestants on the soon to be hit dating show "Untitled Submarine Dating Show"! Unfortunately, there's a bit of a hiccup that leaves the two stranded in a submarine at the bottom of the ocean...

People Are Just Furniture With Emotions

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: Modern home decor is such a bore. All white? Sharp angles? Why not try something new? Something a lot more...lively.

TEN-MINUTE: Modern home decor is such a bore. All white? Sharp angles? Why not try something new? Something a lot more...lively.

An Important Notice From Your Dentist

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: Dr. Walker, your new dentist, has taken the audience hostage...but things don't go exactly as planned.

TEN-MINUTE: Dr. Walker, your new dentist, has taken the audience hostage...but things don't go exactly as planned.

The Funky Fresh Tragedy of Vanilla Ice

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: Kendrick and Maggie have been partnered together to work on a project highlighting a tragic hero. While Kendrick suggests doing a commonly known tragic hero such as Oedipus or Macbeth, Maggie has someone else in mind...Vanilla Ice.

TEN-MINUTE: Kendrick and Maggie have been partnered together to work on a project highlighting a tragic hero. While Kendrick suggests doing a commonly known tragic hero such as Oedipus or Macbeth, Maggie has someone else in mind...Vanilla Ice.

Removing a Varnish

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: A joke is formed as a varnish is removed in a fine art restoration studio.

TEN-MINUTE: A joke is formed as a varnish is removed in a fine art restoration studio.

Eleanor Roosevelt and Her Big Axe

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: When Dawn writes a successful novel based on the life of Eleanor Roosevelt, she struggles with movie executive Josh's visions for the film adaptation. Should Eleanor Roosevelt be painted as an axe wielding superhero vigilante, or were her true actions heroic enough?

TEN-MINUTE: When Dawn writes a successful novel based on the life of Eleanor Roosevelt, she struggles with movie executive Josh's visions for the film adaptation. Should Eleanor Roosevelt be painted as an axe wielding superhero vigilante, or were her true actions heroic enough?

God's Retribution

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: When David was a college student he let somebody prank his roommate by putting deer urine in his shampoo. Now its years later, and a clump of David's hair has fallen out, he fears it is God's retribution.

TEN-MINUTE: When David was a college student he let somebody prank his roommate by putting deer urine in his shampoo. Now its years later, and a clump of David's hair has fallen out, he fears it is God's retribution.

Shower Thoughts

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: A writer is having some problems completing his work. A shower should clear his head, but how many showers will it take, and will his girlfriend still love him if he turns into a prune?

TEN-MINUTE: A writer is having some problems completing his work. A shower should clear his head, but how many showers will it take, and will his girlfriend still love him if he turns into a prune?

Earth Date

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: Earth is on a date, but he's got an embarrassing secret. He's got a bad case of Homo sapiens.

TEN-MINUTE: Earth is on a date, but he's got an embarrassing secret. He's got a bad case of Homo sapiens.

Murderbilia

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: Some people collect stamps, other people collect shoes. Danny collects items that were involved in major murders and crime sprees. It's causing some trouble with his wife.

TEN-MINUTE: Some people collect stamps, other people collect shoes. Danny collects items that were involved in major murders and crime sprees. It's causing some trouble with his wife.

It's Not You

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

TEN-MINUTE: Nate and Sarah have been dating for eight months, but Nate is now leaving her for somebody else. That somebody, is himself.

TEN-MINUTE: Nate and Sarah have been dating for eight months, but Nate is now leaving her for somebody else. That somebody, is himself.

Life's a Beach

by Ryan M. Bultrowicz

Synopsis

Just your typical vacation in America! Well, it's more of a "vacation" actually.

Just your typical vacation in America! Well, it's more of a "vacation" actually.