Jean Koppen

Jean Koppen's plays have been seen at the Kennedy Center's Page to Stage Festival, at Keegan Theatre (D.C.), the Capital Fringe Festival (D.C.), SkyPilot Theatre (LA), and The Alumnae Theatre (Toronto). Capsmittment was Active Culture’s 2012 playwriting competition winner, and Got a Light?, a finalist in City Theatre’s 2019 National Award for Short Playwriting, is published in Smith and Krauss’ The Best Ten-Minute Plays 2022. Unprotected, a Trustus Playwrights' Festival Finalist and a semi-finalist in Unicorn Theatre's Plays in Progress series, was produced by Pipeline Playwrights in 2022 and is included in Smith and Krauss' The Best Women's Monologues 2023. Jean's plays The Best Worst That Can Happen and Unfocused are available for purchase and licensing through Next Stage Press. Jean is...

Jean Koppen's plays have been seen at the Kennedy Center's Page to Stage Festival, at Keegan Theatre (D.C.), the Capital Fringe Festival (D.C.), SkyPilot Theatre (LA), and The Alumnae Theatre (Toronto). Capsmittment was Active Culture’s 2012 playwriting competition winner, and Got a Light?, a finalist in City Theatre’s 2019 National Award for Short Playwriting, is published in Smith and Krauss’ The Best Ten-Minute Plays 2022. Unprotected, a Trustus Playwrights' Festival Finalist and a semi-finalist in Unicorn Theatre's Plays in Progress series, was produced by Pipeline Playwrights in 2022 and is included in Smith and Krauss' The Best Women's Monologues 2023. Jean's plays The Best Worst That Can Happen and Unfocused are available for purchase and licensing through Next Stage Press. Jean is an alumnae of the Kennedy Center Playwrights Intensive and LaMaMa Umbria playwriting retreat, a member of Honor Roll! and a Dramatist Guild member. www.jeankoppen.com

Scripts

Vesties

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

In ancient Rome one vestal virgin is facing death, but could she be saved by her "vestie?" Roles for two young women.

In ancient Rome one vestal virgin is facing death, but could she be saved by her "vestie?" Roles for two young women.

Got a Light?

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

10 min: Joan of Arc tied at the stake argues for her life as a modern-day feminist, while her executioner fails to get the fire lit. (Comedic play works well for high school, Zoom)

10 min: Joan of Arc tied at the stake argues for her life as a modern-day feminist, while her executioner fails to get the fire lit. (Comedic play works well for high school, Zoom)

The Best Worst That Can Happen

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

Full-length: Joanna is worried about her mother's failing memory. Margie is concerned about her daughter's career and love life. In truth, both are terrified about how they will handle the worst that can happen - Margie contracting Alzheimer's Disease. When an unlikely new housemate enters their lives and his movie producer brother pays an unexpected visit, both Margie and Joanna discover the best that can...

Full-length: Joanna is worried about her mother's failing memory. Margie is concerned about her daughter's career and love life. In truth, both are terrified about how they will handle the worst that can happen - Margie contracting Alzheimer's Disease. When an unlikely new housemate enters their lives and his movie producer brother pays an unexpected visit, both Margie and Joanna discover the best that can happen in the worst situation. Four characters. Play and rights inquiry available via Next Stage Press https://www.nextstagepress.com/the-best-worst-that-can-happen/

Unfocused

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

In this modern day comedy, a quirky group of characters assemble for a focus group while the neurotic moderator tries and fails to keep the conversation focused. Unfocused is about election apathy and its effect on American democracy. 8 characters. Play and rights inquiry available via Next Stage Press https://www.nextstagepress.com/unfocused-2/

In this modern day comedy, a quirky group of characters assemble for a focus group while the neurotic moderator tries and fails to keep the conversation focused. Unfocused is about election apathy and its effect on American democracy. 8 characters. Play and rights inquiry available via Next Stage Press https://www.nextstagepress.com/unfocused-2/

The Aloha Life

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

10 min: A couple vacationing in Hawaii are surprised by an unexpected missile alert. (Easy to produce; Two-hander; works well on Zoom)

10 min: A couple vacationing in Hawaii are surprised by an unexpected missile alert. (Easy to produce; Two-hander; works well on Zoom)

A Sunday

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

10 min: It's a Sunday and the Fallons are enjoying breakfast, but today is not just any day. As a woman remembers a poignant day in her life, she can't bring herself to share everything for some memories are too painful to revisit.

10 min: It's a Sunday and the Fallons are enjoying breakfast, but today is not just any day. As a woman remembers a poignant day in her life, she can't bring herself to share everything for some memories are too painful to revisit.

The Delivery

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

A woman makes an ordinary delivery stop at an art gallery that turns out to be anything but. Not only is the item being delivered unusual, the gallery owner's connection to the item, and to the delivery woman, is magical.

A woman makes an ordinary delivery stop at an art gallery that turns out to be anything but. Not only is the item being delivered unusual, the gallery owner's connection to the item, and to the delivery woman, is magical.

Capsmittment

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

Two hockey friends discuss whether they are ready for the commitment of season tickets. (note: a "clean" version without swearing is also available; a "ZOOM" version is also available)

Two hockey friends discuss whether they are ready for the commitment of season tickets. (note: a "clean" version without swearing is also available; a "ZOOM" version is also available)

Unprotected

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

Full-length: A seemingly small incident among teenagers at a local high school unearths deep wounds among family members about the legacy of abuse and the subtle subjugation of women. Unprotected is a modern- day drama in which a mother and her teenage daughter confront sexual assault and the vulnerability they face as women.

Full-length: A seemingly small incident among teenagers at a local high school unearths deep wounds among family members about the legacy of abuse and the subtle subjugation of women. Unprotected is a modern- day drama in which a mother and her teenage daughter confront sexual assault and the vulnerability they face as women.

Between Corn and Warren Buffet

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

Two advertising executives struggle to create a new ad slogan for Nebraska tourism.

Two advertising executives struggle to create a new ad slogan for Nebraska tourism.

Final Assignment

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

In the future, Patricia is visited by an android programmed as her daughter Maggie with memories of their life together. The only problem is that Patricia never had a daughter. The two women tackle the question of who created Maggie, for what purpose, and how will Maggie achieve her goal of becoming fully human. Strong female roles. Well suited for Zoom or audio play formats.

In the future, Patricia is visited by an android programmed as her daughter Maggie with memories of their life together. The only problem is that Patricia never had a daughter. The two women tackle the question of who created Maggie, for what purpose, and how will Maggie achieve her goal of becoming fully human. Strong female roles. Well suited for Zoom or audio play formats.

Slight Delay

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

Ever have a flight delayed or cancelled? Then you know the frustration Passenger feels when confronted with an Attendant who just doesn't seem to get it. Even the airline announcements seem part of the conspiracy!

Ever have a flight delayed or cancelled? Then you know the frustration Passenger feels when confronted with an Attendant who just doesn't seem to get it. Even the airline announcements seem part of the conspiracy!

Cold

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

Frosty attempts to immigrate to Canada while an unsympathetic border official thinks melting is a better option. A heart-warming Christmas tale about friendship and global warming.

Frosty attempts to immigrate to Canada while an unsympathetic border official thinks melting is a better option. A heart-warming Christmas tale about friendship and global warming.

Scared Straight

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

Lyla shows up excited for an audition, but instead finds three bitter, depressed and defeated actors discouraging her from her dream.

Lyla shows up excited for an audition, but instead finds three bitter, depressed and defeated actors discouraging her from her dream.

Someplace Better

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

Driven from their home country by disease and political unrest, a couple journeys hoping to re-locate to someplace better. In their quest for a new community, Hope and Peter encounter an inept guardsman, a media-hungry newscaster, a biased marriage counsellor, a cycloptic judge and a talking dolphin. With each interaction, Hope and Peter's biggest test comes not from the impossible tasks given to them, but from...

Driven from their home country by disease and political unrest, a couple journeys hoping to re-locate to someplace better. In their quest for a new community, Hope and Peter encounter an inept guardsman, a media-hungry newscaster, a biased marriage counsellor, a cycloptic judge and a talking dolphin. With each interaction, Hope and Peter's biggest test comes not from the impossible tasks given to them, but from their own relationship.

Housekeeping

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

While cleaning a wealthy client’s home, three house cleaners make a surprise discovery and disagree over what course of action to take.

While cleaning a wealthy client’s home, three house cleaners make a surprise discovery and disagree over what course of action to take.

First Chair

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

Ben and Leslie are both first chairs in their professional orchestra, and married, but Ben is paid more. This conflict is exacerbated when Leslie is given a "lesser" chair, or perhaps it is because of the secret she is finally ready to reveal. First chair is part comedy, part political play, and part fantasy fight ballet.

Ben and Leslie are both first chairs in their professional orchestra, and married, but Ben is paid more. This conflict is exacerbated when Leslie is given a "lesser" chair, or perhaps it is because of the secret she is finally ready to reveal. First chair is part comedy, part political play, and part fantasy fight ballet.

Black Hole

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

After the recent death of her mother, Jane feels compelled to combat her father’s hoarding while also trying to reconcile with her estranged brother and his family. As Jane works on cleaning up the family possessions and problems, she is pulled between the life she has made with her husband and the family life she thinks will fill the loss she’s feeling. Jane becomes more desperate to maintain control, devolving...

After the recent death of her mother, Jane feels compelled to combat her father’s hoarding while also trying to reconcile with her estranged brother and his family. As Jane works on cleaning up the family possessions and problems, she is pulled between the life she has made with her husband and the family life she thinks will fill the loss she’s feeling. Jane becomes more desperate to maintain control, devolving into her own obsession with the past and finding solace in the things her parents valued.

Wearing White After Labor Day (and other acts of terrorism)

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

When Jenny’s mother Merrill arrives for their weekly lunch date, their usual bickering takes a turn neither suspects.

When Jenny’s mother Merrill arrives for their weekly lunch date, their usual bickering takes a turn neither suspects.

Married Bliss

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

A couple discuss hypothetical infidelity.

A couple discuss hypothetical infidelity.

Feebleminded

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

Law student Jill chooses to argue for upholding the 1927 Supreme Court case Buck v Bell which was used to sterilize thousands of women against their consent based on their physical, mental or social inadequacies. Jill relishes the opportunity to challenge the assumptions of her classmates that her disabilities (cerebral palsy, wheelchair) dictate her personal beliefs. Through her research into the case's past...

Law student Jill chooses to argue for upholding the 1927 Supreme Court case Buck v Bell which was used to sterilize thousands of women against their consent based on their physical, mental or social inadequacies. Jill relishes the opportunity to challenge the assumptions of her classmates that her disabilities (cerebral palsy, wheelchair) dictate her personal beliefs. Through her research into the case's past, including in person interactions with the woman at the center of the case, Jill makes decisions which send her life in a completely different direction than she ever considered.

Kavanaugh

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

Justice Kavanaugh petitions the court of American Women for official classification as a "good guy."

Justice Kavanaugh petitions the court of American Women for official classification as a "good guy."

The Lesson (a monologue)

by Jean Koppen

Synopsis

Ms. Houndsworth has a lesson her class is not suspecting. A lesson that is far more personal than they've had before.

Ms. Houndsworth has a lesson her class is not suspecting. A lesson that is far more personal than they've had before.