Francesca Pazniokas

Francesca Pazniokas is a playwright and filmmaker who creates works of social surrealism. Often uncanny, grotesque or fantastical, her plays and films center themes of alienation, disability, madness, queerness, and mortality. She was a member of SPACE on Ryder Farm’s 2024 Working Farm Residency, winner of Clubbed Thumb’s 2020 Biennial Commission, recipient of the 2023 NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre, and a semi-finalist for The Ground Floor at Berkeley Rep, Theatre503’s International Playwriting Award and the Leslie Scalapino Award. She's developed work with the support of NYFA, STREB, Panavision, PANO, House of Yes and Irondale, and was a member of Pipeline Theatre Company’s PlayLab, Exquisite Corpse Company’s Writers Lab, Project Y's Playwrights Group, and Access Theater's...

Francesca Pazniokas is a playwright and filmmaker who creates works of social surrealism. Often uncanny, grotesque or fantastical, her plays and films center themes of alienation, disability, madness, queerness, and mortality. She was a member of SPACE on Ryder Farm’s 2024 Working Farm Residency, winner of Clubbed Thumb’s 2020 Biennial Commission, recipient of the 2023 NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre, and a semi-finalist for The Ground Floor at Berkeley Rep, Theatre503’s International Playwriting Award and the Leslie Scalapino Award. She's developed work with the support of NYFA, STREB, Panavision, PANO, House of Yes and Irondale, and was a member of Pipeline Theatre Company’s PlayLab, Exquisite Corpse Company’s Writers Lab, Project Y's Playwrights Group, and Access Theater's residency program. BA: Art History and Performing Arts (Georgetown), MA: Playwriting (Royal Holloway, University of London). francescapazniokas.com

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Scripts

The Wild Boar Of Chernobyl

by Francesca Pazniokas

9
Cast Size
7
Genre
drama,
experimental,
fable/folktale,
horror,
mystery/thriller,
political,
science fiction

In the wake of a devastating nuclear war, Americans have been forced to rebuild their lives underground. Scientists insist it's too dangerous for citizens to survive on Earth's radioactive surface, but a fast-growing cult, led by a preacher and his mysterious family, believe otherwise. They're determined to return to the surface, no matter the cost. THE WILD BOAR OF CHERNOBYL is a futuristic fable about the...

In the wake of a devastating nuclear war, Americans have been forced to rebuild their lives underground. Scientists insist it's too dangerous for citizens to survive on Earth's radioactive surface, but a fast-growing cult, led by a preacher and his mysterious family, believe otherwise. They're determined to return to the surface, no matter the cost. THE WILD BOAR OF CHERNOBYL is a futuristic fable about the struggle of faith vs. fact, and fanaticism vs. science.

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Wunderkammer

by Francesca Pazniokas

14
Cast Size
10
Genre
dark comedy,
drama,
fable/folktale,
fantasy

A taxidermist faces an extraordinary uprising when his new assistant brings his taxidermy animals back to life. "Wunderkammer" is a play about identity and tribalism, blurring the line between human and animal, and life and death.

A taxidermist faces an extraordinary uprising when his new assistant brings his taxidermy animals back to life. "Wunderkammer" is a play about identity and tribalism, blurring the line between human and animal, and life and death.

Dog

by Francesca Pazniokas

7
Cast Size
4
Genre
dark comedy,
drama,
experimental

When Alice needs a place to crash after dropping out of college, her sister Penny welcomes her with open arms. There's just one catch: Penny's dog, Elmo -- who may not be a dog at all. "Dog" is an experimental play about cycles of abuse, and the passive violence that keeps abusers in power.

When Alice needs a place to crash after dropping out of college, her sister Penny welcomes her with open arms. There's just one catch: Penny's dog, Elmo -- who may not be a dog at all. "Dog" is an experimental play about cycles of abuse, and the passive violence that keeps abusers in power.

All This Togetherness

by Francesca Pazniokas

10
Cast Size
7
Genre
drama,
experimental

(10 Minute Play) Seven strangers gather together to meet the one man they have in common— their father.

(10 Minute Play) Seven strangers gather together to meet the one man they have in common— their father.

Everlast

by Francesca Pazniokas

5
Cast Size
2
Genre
comedy,
dark comedy,
drama

(10 Minute Play) Two ambitious young climbers decide what they're willing to sacrifice in their quest to scale Mt. Everest.

(10 Minute Play) Two ambitious young climbers decide what they're willing to sacrifice in their quest to scale Mt. Everest.

Goodnight

by Francesca Pazniokas

6
Cast Size
3—4
Genre
dark comedy,
drama

(10 Minute Play) There’s a strange smell taking over Greta’s apartment building. When her super and neighbors refuse to acknowledge the stench, Greta’s idle curiosity turns into an obsession. She’s determined to find the source of the smell—and a moment of human connection in the city she calls home.

(10 Minute Play) There’s a strange smell taking over Greta’s apartment building. When her super and neighbors refuse to acknowledge the stench, Greta’s idle curiosity turns into an obsession. She’s determined to find the source of the smell—and a moment of human connection in the city she calls home.