Dano Madden

Dano Madden is a playwright, screenwriter, and director, originally from Boise, Idaho. He was recently invited to be an artist-in-residence at the James Stevenson Lost and Found Lab in Connecticut, USA. He has been a fellow at the MacDowell and at the Djerassi Resident Artist Program. Dano’s plays have been produced and/or received development by Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Source Festival, The Artful Conspirators, World At Large Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, The National New Play Network, Mile Square Theatre, Burnt Studio Productions, Northwest Playwrights Alliance, Idaho Theatre for Youth, Kitchen Theatre Company, Rutgers University, The University of Tulsa, Bloomsburg University, Lark Play Development Center, Seven Devils Playwrights Conference, Boise Contemporary Theater...

Dano Madden is a playwright, screenwriter, and director, originally from Boise, Idaho. He was recently invited to be an artist-in-residence at the James Stevenson Lost and Found Lab in Connecticut, USA. He has been a fellow at the MacDowell and at the Djerassi Resident Artist Program. Dano’s plays have been produced and/or received development by Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Source Festival, The Artful Conspirators, World At Large Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, The National New Play Network, Mile Square Theatre, Burnt Studio Productions, Northwest Playwrights Alliance, Idaho Theatre for Youth, Kitchen Theatre Company, Rutgers University, The University of Tulsa, Bloomsburg University, Lark Play Development Center, Seven Devils Playwrights Conference, Boise Contemporary Theater, Fordham University, Fullerton College, and Boston Theatre Works, among others. He is a five time Heideman Award finalist. He has won numerous Kennedy Center awards, including the Kennedy Center’s 2007 National Student Playwriting Award and the 2008 Quest for Peace Playwriting Award. He was a finalist for the National New Play Network’s 2010 Smith Prize. Published works include: In the Sawtooths and Drop (Samuel French, Inc.), Beautiful American Soldier and Ella (Best American Short Plays 2005-2006 & 2009-2010), The Save (Playscripts, Inc.), The Soft Sand, Survival, and Therm Gold (Northwest Playwrights Alliance), The Raccoon, Leaving IKEA and Third Ward Scandal (Indie Theater Now) and monologues in The Best Men’s Stage Monologues and Scenes 2010 (Smith & Kraus) and Exceptional Monologues 2 (Samuel French, Inc.)
In 2007, Dano was named one of “50 Playwrights to Watch” by The Dramatist magazine.

Dano was the co-creator, producer and writer for the 2016 web series Precious Cargo and the 2017 web series Brokers. Precious Cargo was named one of the 10 best web series of 2016 by Paste Magazine. Huffington Post recognized the show as one of the most addictive web series of 2016. The series has been an official selection for numerous festivals, including the L.A. Web Fest, NYC Web Fest, Brooklyn Web Fest and Miami Web Fest.

Dano received his BA in Theatre Arts from Boise State University and his MFA in playwriting from Rutgers University. Dano has taught dramatic writing at Stockton University, Rutgers University, and at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts in the Playwright’s Horizons Theatre School. He is member of the Board of Directors for the Seven Devils New Play Foundry. Dano lives in New York with his wife Lauren and their son Otis.

Scripts

In the Sawtooths

by Dano Madden

Synopsis

Oby, Nellie and Darin have been friends since high school. Now in their thirties, they have become busier in their lives, but one thing remains constant: their annual backpacking adventure in the mountains of Idaho. As their trip nears and they have made all of the necessary preparations to survive in the outdoors, their lives are suddenly shattered by tragedy. What ensues is a true test of an old friendship...

Oby, Nellie and Darin have been friends since high school. Now in their thirties, they have become busier in their lives, but one thing remains constant: their annual backpacking adventure in the mountains of Idaho. As their trip nears and they have made all of the necessary preparations to survive in the outdoors, their lives are suddenly shattered by tragedy. What ensues is a true test of an old friendship. Can Oby, Nellie and Darin remain friends as they desperately try to navigate through an immense and unexpected wilderness? Winner! KC/ACTF National Student Playwriting Award.

Fourth Planet

by Dano Madden

Synopsis

As Dr. Violet Garcia attempts to be chosen for the first human mission to Mars, she is forced to confront the possibility of losing her most important relationships on Earth. Fourth Planet is a play about the future of humanity and what scientific advancement and sacrifice looks like through a very personal lens.

As Dr. Violet Garcia attempts to be chosen for the first human mission to Mars, she is forced to confront the possibility of losing her most important relationships on Earth. Fourth Planet is a play about the future of humanity and what scientific advancement and sacrifice looks like through a very personal lens.

Beautiful American Soldier

by Dano Madden

Synopsis

Two sisters, unexpectedly lost along a quiet roadside in war-torn Iraq, find a friend in a man peddling junk. Back in America, a veteran of the war in Iraq discovers that he has much more in common with a homeless man than he wants to believe. Beautiful American Soldier rides the never ending ripple effects of war as shattered hearts, half a world away from each other, must find a way to deal with the...

Two sisters, unexpectedly lost along a quiet roadside in war-torn Iraq, find a friend in a man peddling junk. Back in America, a veteran of the war in Iraq discovers that he has much more in common with a homeless man than he wants to believe. Beautiful American Soldier rides the never ending ripple effects of war as shattered hearts, half a world away from each other, must find a way to deal with the consequences of war.

Oakwoods

by Dano Madden

Synopsis

High school seniors George Marvin and Holly Gunnerson have attracted national attention to tiny Oakwoods with their award winning science project. George and Holly's sudden notoriety, along with the construction of a housing development and resort, has the fading mountain town standing on the verge of being reborn. Will a dark discovery derail this new found hope? Oakwoods is a story about accomplishments beyond...

High school seniors George Marvin and Holly Gunnerson have attracted national attention to tiny Oakwoods with their award winning science project. George and Holly's sudden notoriety, along with the construction of a housing development and resort, has the fading mountain town standing on the verge of being reborn. Will a dark discovery derail this new found hope? Oakwoods is a story about accomplishments beyond our wildest dreams and the unexpected places they can lead us.

Bad Husband

by Dano Madden

Synopsis

During her graveyard shift at the hospital, Annie finds herself falling fast for a mysterious stranger named Cowboy. Where did this man come from? Why is he wandering the halls of the hospital? The story of Bad Husband begins after one of the characters has literally jumped off of a building and everyone finds him or herself in free fall. By the end of the night, Cowboy, Annie, and all of the characters will...

During her graveyard shift at the hospital, Annie finds herself falling fast for a mysterious stranger named Cowboy. Where did this man come from? Why is he wandering the halls of the hospital? The story of Bad Husband begins after one of the characters has literally jumped off of a building and everyone finds him or herself in free fall. By the end of the night, Cowboy, Annie, and all of the characters will have to face the truth about their pasts.

The Save (one-act)

by Dano Madden

Synopsis

An ordinary day for two little league moms is upended when an unkempt stranger arrives to watch their children play baseball. Worried for their children's safety, the women try to have the stranger removed, only to realize that the game they take for granted offers peace of mind and simple reassurance to this troubled war veteran.

An ordinary day for two little league moms is upended when an unkempt stranger arrives to watch their children play baseball. Worried for their children's safety, the women try to have the stranger removed, only to realize that the game they take for granted offers peace of mind and simple reassurance to this troubled war veteran.

Drop (one-act)

by Dano Madden

Synopsis

Winner of multiple Kennedy Center Awards.

Orflong and Zip are the lone dwellers on the planet Gavanuuy. They hunt Kalakazula worms with their sucknas (plungers) and play Gerfle, an infinite game. When Drop appears, they are fascinated by this English-speaking creature and the games she brings. The closer Orflong and Zip get to Drop, the more estranged they become from each other until they can no longer...

Winner of multiple Kennedy Center Awards.

Orflong and Zip are the lone dwellers on the planet Gavanuuy. They hunt Kalakazula worms with their sucknas (plungers) and play Gerfle, an infinite game. When Drop appears, they are fascinated by this English-speaking creature and the games she brings. The closer Orflong and Zip get to Drop, the more estranged they become from each other until they can no longer communicate. Drop presents a unique challenge as it is scripted in the Gavanuuyian language spoken by Orflong and Zip.

Ella (one-act)

by Dano Madden

Synopsis

Ella is on the run after a life-changing tragedy, desperate to leave her past behind. She is an artist who no longer knows how to sculpt. Can a nineteen-year-old, white, gator- hunting farm boy named Cutter help her get her life back on track?

Ella is on the run after a life-changing tragedy, desperate to leave her past behind. She is an artist who no longer knows how to sculpt. Can a nineteen-year-old, white, gator- hunting farm boy named Cutter help her get her life back on track?