Jessica Feder-Birnbaum

Jessica Feder-Birnbaum

JESSICA FEDER-BIRNBAUM is a playwright, author and theatre artist. Her plays have had readings, workshops and productions in New York, regionally, and virtually. Her plays and other writings appear in print and on-line. Recent readings/productions include: Plays and Pizza Zoom Series (NYC), Coronavirus One Minute Play Festival (Queens Theatre, NYC), The Director’s Workshop Theatre of Western Springs (Illinois...
JESSICA FEDER-BIRNBAUM is a playwright, author and theatre artist. Her plays have had readings, workshops and productions in New York, regionally, and virtually. Her plays and other writings appear in print and on-line. Recent readings/productions include: Plays and Pizza Zoom Series (NYC), Coronavirus One Minute Play Festival (Queens Theatre, NYC), The Director’s Workshop Theatre of Western Springs (Illinois), Bechdel Group’s 9th Overnight Writing Challenge (NYC), Clutch Productions EmpowerHER Reading Series (Primary Stages Studios NYC), Burning Coal Theatre (Raleigh NC), 5 Minute Jewish Play Festival- Lawrence Family JCC (San Diego). Code Red Playwrights Gun Violence Initiative, Pump House Regional Arts Center, La Crosse Wisconsin. Project Y (Women in Theatre Festival/HONOR ROLL MONOLOGUE SLAM); UPCOMING: Round The Bend Theatre (Developmental Reading Series) Bedford Playhouse (Bedford NY). Publications: Mom Egg Review: (2017) Short Plays on Reproductive Freedom edited by Cindy Cooper (2018); Smith and Kraus Best Women’s Stage Monologues (2022); Smith and Kraus Best Women’s and Best Men’s Stage Monologues (2023). Member: Dramatists Guild Honor Roll! LPTW (League of Professional Theatre Women), Advisory Board and Reader’s Circle at Clutch Productions. Initiating Artist JTC (Jewish Theatre Circle).


Plays

  • Pink Slippers
    Synopsis: A woman and her ob-gyn struggle to find common ground amidst their opposing political views.
  • SO, I KNIT.
    Based on a magazine interview, MALKA, a Kibbutz Be'eri refugee, discussses how knitting keeps her going.

    *MALKA’s story was inspired by an interview and is a dramatization of factual events.

  • Mykonos
    PLACE: Mykonos. TIME: 1983. Is it the real thing or just a one night stand?
  • AROMA
    Based on true events. A NYC based perfumer helps a prominent store mogul regain his sense of smell.
  • AROMA
    Based on true events. A NYC based perfumer helps a prominent store mogul regain his sense of smell.
  • Antar The Magnificent
    Synopsis: A small town actress helps a NYC immigrant family make peace. TIME: Back in the Day.
  • JUST A NUMBER
    On New Year's Day MARISSA and her "talking" SCALE have a heart-to-heart.
  • Hair Halacha. Hair Ervah.
    ADINA, an Orthodox Jew defends her decision on whether or not to cover her hair after marriage.
  • The Red Stuff
    Esau confronts his mother Rebekah after he learns that his brother Jacob has stolen his birthright.
  • Sweet, Sweet Girl
    A typical morning for veteran grocery bagger TERI in King Soopers Super Market shortly before the mass shooting in Boulder Colorado on March 22nd 2021.
  • The Congressman
    Three generations of women grapple with the patriarchal power structure of working for a revered government official.
  • At Fault
    A Black male soon to be law student and a white female building superintendant's vehicles and lives collide on The Major Deegan Highway.
  • Diet Coke
    It's the early 1980s. Days of big hair, punk music, recreational drug use and living for the moment. How much is too much to ask of a friend?
  • Good Year. Pay Fair.

    A ten minute courtroom drama inspired by events leading up to the passing of the 2009 Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.
  • Call Sometime
    Based on a true New York story. Who is the lifeline for who? The elderly GUSSIE and her younger cousin by marriage JENNA attempt to cope as the first five months of the 2020 pandemic unfold.
  • Mid Life Choice
    Monologue: A middle aged woman faces an unexpected pregnancy.
  • Rainbow Cookies
    10 minute play - Joey has sworn off wheat and sugar and her boss Grace takes all the credit.
  • Lady Augusta Gregory
    Monologue: Isabella Augusta, Lady Gregory reminisces about her work behind the Irish Literary Revival.
  • A Gutte Neshuma
    5 minute play - Harry Blitstein seeks to honor his recently departed dog with a synagogue memorial plaque.
  • Toppings and Sides
    Monologue: Tara teaches Julie to up sell but not sell out at Earl's Burgers.
  • Patient Responsibility
    10 minute play - While patient Yvonne receives a harrowing diagnosis and a surprise medical bill, office manager June must decide to stay in or go out of network.