Vince Gatton

Vince Gatton

Vince Gatton is a New York-based actor and writer. His short play BETTER won the 2018 Samuel French OOB Festival; his full-length ALEXANDRIA was the winner of Sanguine Theatre Company’s Project Playwright 2018 and was a semi-finalist for the Princess Grace Award. Other short plays have appeared in mtp’s annual CHERRY PICKING at the Wild Project in NYC, at the Fine Arts Association in Willoughby, Ohio and The...
Vince Gatton is a New York-based actor and writer. His short play BETTER won the 2018 Samuel French OOB Festival; his full-length ALEXANDRIA was the winner of Sanguine Theatre Company’s Project Playwright 2018 and was a semi-finalist for the Princess Grace Award. Other short plays have appeared in mtp’s annual CHERRY PICKING at the Wild Project in NYC, at the Fine Arts Association in Willoughby, Ohio and The New American Theatre in Los Angeles; IN THE WHOLE HISTORY OF HI-Q, BETTER, and HEY were finalists for the National Short Playwriting Award at City Theatre in Miami; and JAM won Best Play in the 2015 LIC Short Play Festival. WAKE, his first full-length play, was a finalist at Dayton Playhouse’s FutureFest, Boomerang Theatre Company’s First Flight Festival, and Vintage Theatre Productions’ Mystery/Thriller New Play Festival.

He received a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Play for David Johnston's Candy and Dorothy, which he also performed at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre in Cape Cod. Other notable acting credits include Leigh Fondakowski’s SPILL at Ensemble Studio Theatre; Cock and Clean Alternatives at the Kitchen Theatre in Ithaca; I Am My Own Wife and Fully Committed at Barrington Stage Company; I Am My Own Wife again at Coachella Valley Rep (Desert Star Award Nomination) and Two Turns Theatre Company; Taylor Mac’s The Hot Month at Boomerang Theatre Company; and The Temperamentals at New World Stages, standing by for Michael Urie. Vince was a founding Board Member of New York Shakespeare Exchange, with whom he’s appeared in King John, Titus Andronicus, ShakesBEER, and The Sonnet Project.

You can catch him being himself on a certain re-run of Jeopardy, in the documentary Married and Counting, and in the Pippin episode of Encore on Disney+.

Plays

  • Protocols by Vince Gatton
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: isolation, siblings + 8 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, drama, horror
    Keyword: isolation, siblings, family, zoom, Social distancing, Quarantine, horror, vampire, zombies, family tragedy
    [SHORT] Two siblings on a video call attempt to manage a crisis.

    A Zoom-friendly play.
  • You Have Earned Bonus Stars by Vince Gatton
    Recommendations: 6
    ·
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: road trip, morality + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, drama, tragedy
    Keyword: road trip, morality, mass shooting, LGBTQ, nightmare, ethics, consequences of violence
    [FULL LENGTH] Danielle has survived a shocking act of workplace violence; her quiet older co-worker Jimmy has not. A small act in his final moments becomes a clue that sets Danielle off on a quest on his behalf, a quest that sends her down a rabbit hole of secrets, lies, and questions about her own place in the moral universe – and the state of the moral universe itself.

    You Have Earned Bonus...
    [FULL LENGTH] Danielle has survived a shocking act of workplace violence; her quiet older co-worker Jimmy has not. A small act in his final moments becomes a clue that sets Danielle off on a quest on his behalf, a quest that sends her down a rabbit hole of secrets, lies, and questions about her own place in the moral universe – and the state of the moral universe itself.

    You Have Earned Bonus Stars is a comedy about tragedy, an exploration of the judgement we all face – from the great beyond, from each other, and from ourselves.


    *****This is one of a set of plays of varying lengths, styles, settings, and genres, all having some direct or indirect connection to each other, in the same vein as J. D. Salinger’s Nine Stories. These plays each stand alone, so there’s no need to have read one to understand the others; but if you’re so inclined, they can be read as a unified larger work as well. The set so far includes:

    • JAM [One Act]
    • Status Update [Short]
    • You Have Earned Bonus Stars [Full Length]
    • Cassie Strickland Is Not Under the Bed [Short]
    • Things Are Looking Up [Short]
    • She’s Blown Away [Short]
  • Hey by Vince Gatton
    Recommendations: 9
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: Adolescence, coming of age + 6 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, fantasy
    Keyword: Adolescence, coming of age, gay, LGBTQ, rural America, blue collar, closet, Underwear
    [SHORT] A boy's quest for a safe harbor leads him unexpectedly into the most terrifying danger of his young life. A comedy (sort of?) about shopping for underwear.
  • ALEXANDRIA by Vince Gatton
    Recommendations: 8
    ·
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: drama, faith-based + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: religion, christianity + 5 more
    Genre: drama, faith-based, political, tragedy
    Keyword: religion, christianity, apocalypse, culture clash, southern, LGBTQ, gay marriage
    [FULL LENGTH] In a small town library in the Deep South, two librarians share an unlikely close friendship, despite being on opposite sides of the culture war. But when a young runaway, global events, and the Sweep of Human History come crashing through their front door, what will it take for that friendship to survive?

    Alexandria is a play about relationships that cross deep divides of belief...
    [FULL LENGTH] In a small town library in the Deep South, two librarians share an unlikely close friendship, despite being on opposite sides of the culture war. But when a young runaway, global events, and the Sweep of Human History come crashing through their front door, what will it take for that friendship to survive?

    Alexandria is a play about relationships that cross deep divides of belief and conviction: what those relationships are worth, and what they cost.

    *** Winner - Sanguine Theatre Company's Project Playwright Festival
    ** Semi-finalist, Princess Grace Award
  • Cassie Strickland Is Not Under the Bed by Vince Gatton
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2–3
    ·
    Genre: drama, horror + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: fear, Depression + 4 more
    Genre: drama, horror, tragedy
    Keyword: fear, Depression, trauma, consequences of violence, friendship, guns
    [SHORT] Bed-bound Clay calls a friend for help.

    *****This is one of a set of plays of varying lengths, styles, settings, and genres, all having some direct or indirect connection to each other, in the same vein as J. D. Salinger’s Nine Stories. These plays each stand alone, so there’s no need to have read one to understand the others; but if you’re so inclined, they can be read as a unified...
    [SHORT] Bed-bound Clay calls a friend for help.

    *****This is one of a set of plays of varying lengths, styles, settings, and genres, all having some direct or indirect connection to each other, in the same vein as J. D. Salinger’s Nine Stories. These plays each stand alone, so there’s no need to have read one to understand the others; but if you’re so inclined, they can be read as a unified larger work as well. The set so far includes:

    • JAM [One Act]
    • Status Update [Short]
    • You Have Earned Bonus Stars [Full Length]
    • Cassie Strickland Is Not Under the Bed [Short]
    • Things Are Looking Up [Short]
    • She’s Blown Away [Short]
  • Things Are Looking Up by Vince Gatton
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, tragedy
    ·
    Keyword: gun violence, knitting + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, tragedy
    Keyword: gun violence, knitting, workplace, Co-workers
    [SHORT] Three nurses on a run to 7-11 encounter a stroke of good luck -- and other surprises. A play about cynicism, compassion, and sudden reversals of fortune.

    *****This is one of a set of plays of varying lengths, styles, settings, and genres, all having some direct or indirect connection to each other, in the same vein as J. D. Salinger’s Nine Stories. These plays each stand alone, so there’s...
    [SHORT] Three nurses on a run to 7-11 encounter a stroke of good luck -- and other surprises. A play about cynicism, compassion, and sudden reversals of fortune.

    *****This is one of a set of plays of varying lengths, styles, settings, and genres, all having some direct or indirect connection to each other, in the same vein as J. D. Salinger’s Nine Stories. These plays each stand alone, so there’s no need to have read one to understand the others; but if you’re so inclined, they can be read as a unified larger work as well. The set so far includes:

    • JAM [One Act]
    • Status Update [Short]
    • You Have Earned Bonus Stars [Full Length]
    • Cassie Strickland Is Not Under the Bed [Short]
    • Things Are Looking Up [Short]
    • She’s Blown Away [Short]
  • She's Blown Away by Vince Gatton
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama
    ·
    Keyword: teen, romance + 6 more
    Genre: comedy, drama
    Keyword: teen, romance, high school, boundaries, Stalking, Valentine's Day, Violence against women, consequences of violence
    [SHORT] An eager high school boy enlists his friends' help in coming up with the perfect "big gesture" to win the heart of the girl he loves. The help he gets, though, isn't the help he wants -- and for reasons he can't seem to understand. A play about romance, boundaries, control, and consequences.

    *****This is one of a set of plays of varying lengths, styles, settings...
    [SHORT] An eager high school boy enlists his friends' help in coming up with the perfect "big gesture" to win the heart of the girl he loves. The help he gets, though, isn't the help he wants -- and for reasons he can't seem to understand. A play about romance, boundaries, control, and consequences.

    *****This is one of a set of plays of varying lengths, styles, settings, and genres, all having some direct or indirect connection to each other, in the same vein as J. D. Salinger’s Nine Stories. These plays each stand alone, so there’s no need to have read one to understand the others; but if you’re so inclined, they can be read as a unified larger work as well. The set so far includes:

    • JAM [One Act]
    • Status Update [Short]
    • You Have Earned Bonus Stars [Full Length]
    • Cassie Strickland Is Not Under the Bed [Short]
    • Things Are Looking Up [Short]
    • She’s Blown Away [Short]
  • Better by Vince Gatton
    Recommendations: 6
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy
    ·
    Keyword: class, factory + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy
    Keyword: class, factory, women, resentment, blue collar
    [SHORT] Two women working along the line of a poultry-processing plant in Arkansas share many things, including their views about personal improvement; but when those views unexpectedly diverge, old cracks break wide open.

    **Winner - Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival
    *Finalist - City Theatre National Award for Short Playwriting
  • Status Update by Vince Gatton
    Recommendations: 6
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama
    ·
    Keyword: mother, son + 7 more
    Genre: comedy, drama
    Keyword: mother, son, teenagers, parenthood, loss, death, music, memory, punk rock
    [SHORT] In a sunny suburban kitchen on a Saturday afternoon, a mother's last nerve is getting trampled on by her teenage son's loud music. But underneath their argument over iTunes, a sudden loss and an unspoken fear are waiting to be revealed.

    Status Update is a play about youth, middle age, the relentless passing of time, and the small acts of love that make up our days.
    ...
    [SHORT] In a sunny suburban kitchen on a Saturday afternoon, a mother's last nerve is getting trampled on by her teenage son's loud music. But underneath their argument over iTunes, a sudden loss and an unspoken fear are waiting to be revealed.

    Status Update is a play about youth, middle age, the relentless passing of time, and the small acts of love that make up our days.


    *****This is one of a set of plays of varying lengths, styles, settings, and genres, all having some direct or indirect connection to each other, in the same vein as J. D. Salinger’s Nine Stories. These plays each stand alone, so there’s no need to have read one to understand the others; but if you’re so inclined, they can be read as a unified larger work as well. The set so far includes:

    • JAM [One Act]
    • Status Update [Short]
    • You Have Earned Bonus Stars [Full Length]
    • Cassie Strickland Is Not Under the Bed [Short]
    • Things Are Looking Up [Short]
    • She’s Blown Away [Short]
  • JAM by Vince Gatton
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    4–5
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: absurdist, office + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, horror
    Keyword: absurdist, office, violence, absurd comedy, Black comedy, Co-workers
    [ONE ACT] A malfunctioning piece of office equipment brings out the worst in a diverse group of co-workers. A dark comedy about perspective.

    *** Winner, LIC Short Play Festival

    *****This is one of a set of plays of varying lengths, styles, settings, and genres, all having some direct or indirect connection to each other, in the same vein as J. D. Salinger’s Nine Stories. These...
    [ONE ACT] A malfunctioning piece of office equipment brings out the worst in a diverse group of co-workers. A dark comedy about perspective.

    *** Winner, LIC Short Play Festival

    *****This is one of a set of plays of varying lengths, styles, settings, and genres, all having some direct or indirect connection to each other, in the same vein as J. D. Salinger’s Nine Stories. These plays each stand alone, so there’s no need to have read one to understand the others; but if you’re so inclined, they can be read as a unified larger work as well. The set so far includes:

    • JAM [One Act]
    • Status Update [Short]
    • You Have Earned Bonus Stars [Full Length]
    • Cassie Strickland Is Not Under the Bed [Short]
    • Things Are Looking Up [Short]
    • She’s Blown Away [Short]
  • WAKE by Vince Gatton
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: drama, mystery/thriller
    ·
    Keyword: ghosts, LGBTQ + 5 more
    Genre: drama, mystery/thriller
    Keyword: ghosts, LGBTQ, gay, marriage, HIV/AIDS, African American, storytelling
    [FULL LENGTH] Dan and Eric have a new marriage license, a new baby, and a new house in the country. As they settle into this new life, Dan is having what seem to be sleepwalking episodes. A ghost story told by a young visitor leads Eric to suspect that Dan's sleepwalking incidents are actually something far more sinister -- but are they what he thinks they are? Or are there other forces at work?
    ...
    [FULL LENGTH] Dan and Eric have a new marriage license, a new baby, and a new house in the country. As they settle into this new life, Dan is having what seem to be sleepwalking episodes. A ghost story told by a young visitor leads Eric to suspect that Dan's sleepwalking incidents are actually something far more sinister -- but are they what he thinks they are? Or are there other forces at work?

    WAKE is a ghost story for the post-AIDS generation, a play about marriage, expectations, and the power of narrative to both heal and harm.
  • Neon Glowing New by Vince Gatton
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama
    ·
    Keyword: teenagers, raves + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, drama
    Keyword: teenagers, raves, gay, family, millennium, dad
    [ONE ACT] On the eve of the millennium, a teenage girl attends her first rave and envisions a potential future that rejects the rules and restrictions of her parents' middle class values. But she soon finds that the freedom the rave promises is not just for her, in ways she finds deeply threatening.
  • In The Whole History of Hi-Q by Vince Gatton
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: teenagers, Trivia + 4 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: teenagers, Trivia, loser, competition, Vocabulary, intelligence
    [SHORT] One the eve of the last tournament of the year, three high school trivia nerds must confront the real reasons for their losing streak.
  • Hair Tuck, Half Smile by Vince Gatton
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    5–7
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: Katie Holmes, Scientology + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, fantasy, melodrama, mystery/thriller, parody/spoof
    Keyword: Katie Holmes, Scientology, Dawson's Creek, celebrity, dreams
    [SHORT] A series of nested dreams, exploring how our celebrity obsessions both flatter and condemn us.

    Might as well be titled: What We Dream About When We Dream About Katie Holmes