Jonathan Edmondson

Jonathan V. Edmondson (he/him) is a director, playwright, and the Founding Artistic Director of The Strides Collective, a nonprofit queer theatre company in Philadelphia. As a playwright, his work has been produced with Rowan University, The Strides Collective, Frigid NY, Revolution Shakespeare, Jersey Fringe Festival, The College of New Jersey, Langhorne Players, and The Ritz Theatre Company. Select playwriting credits include: the pigeon., Whirlpool, and Strides. Residencies & Awards: Subcircle Residency in Biddeford, ME (2023), Second Rounder - Austin Film Festival (2024). Publications: The Best Men’s Stage Monologues 2023/Smith & Kraus Publishers. After graduating with honors and receiving his BA in Journalism and Professional Writing from The College of New Jersey, he completed the...

Jonathan V. Edmondson (he/him) is a director, playwright, and the Founding Artistic Director of The Strides Collective, a nonprofit queer theatre company in Philadelphia. As a playwright, his work has been produced with Rowan University, The Strides Collective, Frigid NY, Revolution Shakespeare, Jersey Fringe Festival, The College of New Jersey, Langhorne Players, and The Ritz Theatre Company. Select playwriting credits include: the pigeon., Whirlpool, and Strides. Residencies & Awards: Subcircle Residency in Biddeford, ME (2023), Second Rounder - Austin Film Festival (2024). Publications: The Best Men’s Stage Monologues 2023/Smith & Kraus Publishers. After graduating with honors and receiving his BA in Journalism and Professional Writing from The College of New Jersey, he completed the Professional Apprentice Program at Arden Theatre Company. jonathanedmondson.com

Scripts

friend request.

by Jonathan Edmondson

Synopsis

An unexpected friend request from an estranged former classmate days before his 30th Birthday sends Ethan spiraling. Wesley and Storen, his longtime best friends, plan a boys weekend at a cabin in upstate Pennsylvania as refuge. The trio’s solid foundation quickly begins to crack, however, as differing societal ideals and old, unresolved wounds begin to surface.

And when a surprise visitor derails their...

An unexpected friend request from an estranged former classmate days before his 30th Birthday sends Ethan spiraling. Wesley and Storen, his longtime best friends, plan a boys weekend at a cabin in upstate Pennsylvania as refuge. The trio’s solid foundation quickly begins to crack, however, as differing societal ideals and old, unresolved wounds begin to surface.

And when a surprise visitor derails their weekend entirely, everyone begins to question their relationships to each other, and to themselves. friend request examines queerness, brotherhood, and self-love in the face of unspeakable trauma.

Whirlpool

by Jonathan Edmondson

Synopsis

Memories come flooding back when, after not speaking for years, Caleb and Blake reconnect at a party in the same small town that brought them together. Weaving in and out of time from high school to present day, they revisit pivotal moments in their lives to try and make sense of a shattered relationship. By examining key elements of adolescent friendship and exploration of sexuality, "Whirlpool" takes an...

Memories come flooding back when, after not speaking for years, Caleb and Blake reconnect at a party in the same small town that brought them together. Weaving in and out of time from high school to present day, they revisit pivotal moments in their lives to try and make sense of a shattered relationship. By examining key elements of adolescent friendship and exploration of sexuality, "Whirlpool" takes an honest look at a complicated time and questions our ability - or inability - to move on from our past.

the pigeon.

by Jonathan Edmondson

Synopsis

Declan Barkin is missing. When his brother Adam shows up in Denver to investigate the disappearance, he connects with Nate, who swears he barely knows Declan… but when a perplexing building manager, a curious roommate, and a bird on the fire escape interfere, Nate finds himself face-to-face with the very thing he has been trying to avoid. the pigeon. examines the truths we hide, the lies we craft, and the world...

Declan Barkin is missing. When his brother Adam shows up in Denver to investigate the disappearance, he connects with Nate, who swears he barely knows Declan… but when a perplexing building manager, a curious roommate, and a bird on the fire escape interfere, Nate finds himself face-to-face with the very thing he has been trying to avoid. the pigeon. examines the truths we hide, the lies we craft, and the world we wish was right outside our window.

Content Warning: Play contains use of profane language, as well as references to homophobia, death of a family member, alcohol, and mild sexual activity. Recommended for audiences age 16+.

Expressed // Suppressed

by Jonathan Edmondson

Synopsis

Expressed - verb. to convey a thought or feeling in words.
Suppressed - verb. to forcibly put an end to.

Mac and Cam are best friends. They meet for coffee. Mac tells Cam about the horrific day they've had - they watched someone get run over by a train. Well, sort of.

Cam listens. Then, Cam poses a question: what would it be like to have a second chance, even if it meant losing everything you knew in the...

Expressed - verb. to convey a thought or feeling in words.
Suppressed - verb. to forcibly put an end to.

Mac and Cam are best friends. They meet for coffee. Mac tells Cam about the horrific day they've had - they watched someone get run over by a train. Well, sort of.

Cam listens. Then, Cam poses a question: what would it be like to have a second chance, even if it meant losing everything you knew in the process?

Playback (A One-Act)

by Jonathan Edmondson

Synopsis

Zora is a dynamic, world-renowned popstar. Ashton is an audio engineer at a small recording studio in western Oregon. When Zora arrives announced to the studio, old wounds mix with startling revelations. Playback is a one-act play about the price of ambition, the pitfalls of fame, and the way in which we always find our way back home.

Zora is a dynamic, world-renowned popstar. Ashton is an audio engineer at a small recording studio in western Oregon. When Zora arrives announced to the studio, old wounds mix with startling revelations. Playback is a one-act play about the price of ambition, the pitfalls of fame, and the way in which we always find our way back home.

Request from Roanoke

by Jonathan Edmondson

Synopsis

Meredith and Cecilia Fox return to their childhood home in Roanoke, Virginia to visit their ailing father and their step-mother, Savannah. By the time tea is served, Savannah begins to tell a story from the family's past, and makes a shocking request that leaves Meredith and Cecilia speechless.

Meredith and Cecilia Fox return to their childhood home in Roanoke, Virginia to visit their ailing father and their step-mother, Savannah. By the time tea is served, Savannah begins to tell a story from the family's past, and makes a shocking request that leaves Meredith and Cecilia speechless.

More Flowers.

by Jonathan Edmondson

Synopsis

Violet recounts the passing of her beloved grandmother to her new partner, and describes how an unexpected gift changed the way she viewed grief - and flowers - forever.

Modern adaptation/interpretation of Shakespeare's Sonnet 99

Violet recounts the passing of her beloved grandmother to her new partner, and describes how an unexpected gift changed the way she viewed grief - and flowers - forever.

Modern adaptation/interpretation of Shakespeare's Sonnet 99

Strides

by Jonathan Edmondson

Synopsis

After getting rejected by his best friend who he is in love with, Logan seeks the counsel of his roommate and friends who attempt to drag him out of his depressive spiral with a night in the city. The result, however, is a horrific hate crime that causes Logan to come to terms with his own identity and his true romantic feelings. "Strides" examines what it is like to live as a gay man today and comments on how...

After getting rejected by his best friend who he is in love with, Logan seeks the counsel of his roommate and friends who attempt to drag him out of his depressive spiral with a night in the city. The result, however, is a horrific hate crime that causes Logan to come to terms with his own identity and his true romantic feelings. "Strides" examines what it is like to live as a gay man today and comments on how far we have come, and just how far we have to go, in the journey to achieving compassion and equality for all.

Ignite

by Jonathan Edmondson

Synopsis

Sparks fly when ten students at Alexandria College, a prestigious, private institution in Newport, Rhode Island, find themselves immersed in a fall semester full of new relationships, old secrets, and a shocking discovery that threatens to change campus life forever. With access to an online database of hidden audio recordings, voicemails, phone calls, video clips, and more, audience members have the ability to...

Sparks fly when ten students at Alexandria College, a prestigious, private institution in Newport, Rhode Island, find themselves immersed in a fall semester full of new relationships, old secrets, and a shocking discovery that threatens to change campus life forever. With access to an online database of hidden audio recordings, voicemails, phone calls, video clips, and more, audience members have the ability to freely explore each student's story. When a fire erupts on campus just days before winter break, it will be up to you to figure out how it all unraveled. IGNITE is a virtual theatre experience that explores what happens when we speak up, what happens when we stay quiet, and how one tiny spark can set everything ablaze.

Drowning

by Jonathan Edmondson

Synopsis

In the early summer of 2015, Annabel and Jack Savage suffered a tragic and unexpected loss. Now, four months later, everyone who was affected by the loss is trying desperately to move on, but the circumstances surrounding the accident are still a mystery. When Annabel's brother Lucas and his friends Tyler, Iris and Jessica invite the couple over to Lucas' apartment for dinner, tensions are high as the blame...

In the early summer of 2015, Annabel and Jack Savage suffered a tragic and unexpected loss. Now, four months later, everyone who was affected by the loss is trying desperately to move on, but the circumstances surrounding the accident are still a mystery. When Annabel's brother Lucas and his friends Tyler, Iris and Jessica invite the couple over to Lucas' apartment for dinner, tensions are high as the blame surrounding the accident is passed from person to person, and long-hidden secrets come to the surface. "Drowning" explores the raw way humans interact with grief, and provides hope for happiness after tragedy.