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 and regionally. Her plays and other writings appear in print and on-line. Readings/productions: 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),...
JESSICA FEDER-BIRNBAUM is a playwright, author and theatre artist. Her plays have had readings, workshops and productions in New York and regionally. Her plays and other writings appear in print and on-line. Readings/productions: 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 Second Prize recipient; Lawrence Family JCC (San Diego). Jessica enjoys collaborating with and creating original theatre pieces with artists of all ages and experience levels. Member: Dramatists Guild. Honor Roll! Full Circle Cohort Clutch Productions. League of Professional Theatre Women. AJT.



Plays

  • Mykonos by Jessica Feder-Birnbaum
    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: comedy
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    Keyword: a woman's right to choose, sexism in relationships + 8 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: a woman's right to choose, sexism in relationships, awkward romance, empowered woman, awkward sexual situation, cross-cultural encounter, American college students, cultural differences, class differences, communication/miscommunication
    PLACE: Mykonos. TIME: 1983. Is it the real thing or just a one night stand?
  • AROMA by Jessica Feder-Birnbaum
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: comedy
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    Keyword: retail store, business + 3 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: retail store, business, gender queer, non binary, featuring roles for older actors
    Based on true events. A NYC based perfumer helps a prominent store mogul regain his sense of smell.
  • AROMA by Jessica Feder-Birnbaum
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: comedy
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    Keyword: retail store, business + 3 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: retail store, business, gender queer, non binary, featuring roles for older actors
    Based on true events. A NYC based perfumer helps a prominent store mogul regain his sense of smell.
  • Antar The Magnificent by Jessica Feder-Birnbaum
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    4
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    Genre: comedy
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    Keyword: immigration, illiteracy + 6 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: immigration, illiteracy, Greenwich, Muslim Americans, cats, restaurants, polygamy, affordable housing
    Synopsis: A small town actress helps a NYC immigrant family make peace. TIME: Back in the Day.
  • JUST A NUMBER by Jessica Feder-Birnbaum
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: comedy
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    Keyword: body acceptance, weight gain + 3 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: body acceptance, weight gain, new year's resolution, scale, ANTHROPOMORPH
    On New Year's Day MARISSA and her "talking" SCALE have a heart-to-heart.
  • Hair Halacha. Hair Ervah. by Jessica Feder-Birnbaum
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    3
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    Genre: drama, faith-based + 1 more
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    Keyword: Modern Orthodox, Brooklyn Jewish Life + 4 more
    Genre: drama, faith-based, political
    Keyword: Modern Orthodox, Brooklyn Jewish Life, Wigs, breaking tradition, mother/daughter issues, breast cancer
    ADINA, an Orthodox Jew defends her decision on whether or not to cover her hair after marriage.
  • The Red Stuff by Jessica Feder-Birnbaum
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: adaptation, drama + 2 more
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    Keyword: sibling rivalry, Old Testament + 8 more
    Genre: adaptation, drama, fable/folktale, faith-based
    Keyword: sibling rivalry, Old Testament, disinherited son, argument with mother, Israel, Isaac, mistaken identity, fairness, judaism, a mother's love
    Esau confronts his mother Rebekah after he learns that his brother Jacob has stolen his birthright.
  • Sweet, Sweet Girl by Jessica Feder-Birnbaum
    Recommendations: 2
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    Cast: 
    3
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    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic + 3 more
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    Keyword: mass shooting, disabled and able-bodied characters + 4 more
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic, drama, political, tragedy
    Keyword: mass shooting, disabled and able-bodied characters, blooming romance, community, gun control, code red playwrights
    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 by Jessica Feder-Birnbaum
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    4
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    Genre: docudrama/historic, drama + 1 more
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    Keyword: workplace sexual harassment, government corruption + 7 more
    Genre: docudrama/historic, drama, political
    Keyword: workplace sexual harassment, government corruption, gaslighting, multi-generational, life in the time of COVID-19, body politics, abuse of power, empowered women, social justice
    Three generations of women grapple with the patriarchal power structure of working for a revered government official.
  • At Fault by Jessica Feder-Birnbaum
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: drama, political
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    Keyword: black men and white women, the war on drugs + 5 more
    Genre: drama, political
    Keyword: black men and white women, the war on drugs, racial profiling, Police abuse, educational equity, insurance policies, marijuana
    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 by Jessica Feder-Birnbaum
    Recommendations: 2
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    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: dark comedy
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    Keyword: 1980s, cocaine + 8 more
    Genre: dark comedy
    Keyword: 1980s, cocaine, college, bulimia, Children of Holocaust Survivors, drug dealer, The Go-Gos, Devo, bonds of friendship, peer pressure
    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. by Jessica Feder-Birnbaum
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    3
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    Genre: docudrama/historic, political
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    Keyword: equal pay, sexual discrimination + 2 more
    Genre: docudrama/historic, political
    Keyword: equal pay, sexual discrimination, activism, female lead

    A ten minute courtroom drama inspired by events leading up to the passing of the 2009 Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.
  • Call Sometime by Jessica Feder-Birnbaum
    Recommendations: 2
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    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: dark comedy, docudrama/historic + 2 more
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    Keyword: global pandemic, life in the time of COVID-19 + 7 more
    Genre: dark comedy, docudrama/historic, political, radio drama
    Keyword: global pandemic, life in the time of COVID-19, Older adults, family dynamics, political protest, being alone, living alone, social isolation, women's social issues
    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 by Jessica Feder-Birnbaum
    Recommendations: 2
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    Cast: 
    1
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    Genre: drama
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    Keyword: abortion, freedom of choice + 2 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: abortion, freedom of choice, ambivalence, jewish law
    Monologue: A middle aged woman faces an unexpected pregnancy.
  • Rainbow Cookies by Jessica Feder-Birnbaum
    Recommendations: 2
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    Cast: 
    3
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    Genre: comedy
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    Keyword: office politics, toxic workplace + 4 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: office politics, toxic workplace, dieting, coming out, New Years resolutions, challenge to power
    10 minute play - Joey has sworn off wheat and sugar and her boss Grace takes all the credit.
  • Lady Augusta Gregory by Jessica Feder-Birnbaum
    Recommendations: 2
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    Cast: 
    1–2
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    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic + 1 more
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    Keyword: bio drama, Irish theater + 2 more
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic, period
    Keyword: bio drama, Irish theater, Irish literacy revival, 365 Women A Year Playwriting Project
    Monologue: Isabella Augusta, Lady Gregory reminisces about her work behind the Irish Literary Revival.
  • A Gutte Neshuma by Jessica Feder-Birnbaum
    Recommendations: 3
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    Cast: 
    3
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    Genre: comedy
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    Keyword: Jewish, dogs + 1 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: Jewish, dogs, synagogue politics
    5 minute play - Harry Blitstein seeks to honor his recently departed dog with a synagogue memorial plaque.
  • Toppings and Sides by Jessica Feder-Birnbaum
    Recommendations: 2
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    Cast: 
    1–2
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    Genre: comedy, drama
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    Keyword: service workers, hustling + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, drama
    Keyword: service workers, hustling, metoo, class race and gender politics, upward mobility, female empowerment
    Monologue: Tara teaches Julie to up sell but not sell out at Earl's Burgers.
  • Patient Responsibility by Jessica Feder-Birnbaum
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: drama, political
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    Keyword: women's health, Ovarian Cancer + 3 more
    Genre: drama, political
    Keyword: women's health, Ovarian Cancer, Hysterectomy, Surprise Medical Bills, The Health Care System
    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.