William Thomas Berk

William Thomas Berk is a self-taught playwright living in his native city of Portland, OR. Through his Theatre Berk label, William has produced "From the Ruby Lounge" (an original devised work based on his own script) and "Professor Jekyll and Miss Hyde: A Modern Adaptation" (his own script). William has also written the book and lyrics for "The Jolly Riot: A Pirate Metal Adventure", produced by Torchsong Entertainment. As a contributing writer for the Pulp Stage, he wrote the crime thriller serial "The Beaten Path" and numerous ten-minute plays. William has also written and directed for multiple iterations of the Chapel Theatre Play Fest. During the January 2025 Chapel Theatre Play Fest, his "Five Minutes Until the End" script won the audience choice award.

He is an associate member of...

William Thomas Berk is a self-taught playwright living in his native city of Portland, OR. Through his Theatre Berk label, William has produced "From the Ruby Lounge" (an original devised work based on his own script) and "Professor Jekyll and Miss Hyde: A Modern Adaptation" (his own script). William has also written the book and lyrics for "The Jolly Riot: A Pirate Metal Adventure", produced by Torchsong Entertainment. As a contributing writer for the Pulp Stage, he wrote the crime thriller serial "The Beaten Path" and numerous ten-minute plays. William has also written and directed for multiple iterations of the Chapel Theatre Play Fest. During the January 2025 Chapel Theatre Play Fest, his "Five Minutes Until the End" script won the audience choice award.

He is an associate member of the Dramatists Guild.

Scripts

Clara and the Nutcracker: A Holiday Fantasy Adventure

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

A new narrative adaptation of the holiday classic, reimagined as a fantasy adventure for all ages.

A new narrative adaptation of the holiday classic, reimagined as a fantasy adventure for all ages.

Anno Machina: An Apocalyptic Elegy

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

It’s been twenty-five years since the first sentient machines came online. Now, they face a possible future in which humans no longer exist. What can or should the sentient machines do without the humans they were built to serve? What meaning or value does “humanity” have in a world without humans? What went wrong, who is to blame, and how can robots process grief?

From the machines working on the frontlines of...

It’s been twenty-five years since the first sentient machines came online. Now, they face a possible future in which humans no longer exist. What can or should the sentient machines do without the humans they were built to serve? What meaning or value does “humanity” have in a world without humans? What went wrong, who is to blame, and how can robots process grief?

From the machines working on the frontlines of healthcare, an Emissary steps forward to try and find the answers.

Ditched

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

An inebriated woman crashes her car into a ditch. Her ex-boyfriend -- also inebriated -- arrives, only to crash his car into her car in the same ditch. Inspired by true events.

An inebriated woman crashes her car into a ditch. Her ex-boyfriend -- also inebriated -- arrives, only to crash his car into her car in the same ditch. Inspired by true events.

Implosion

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

An eccentric inventor details his plan to travel through the center of the planet. It probably won't end well.

An eccentric inventor details his plan to travel through the center of the planet. It probably won't end well.

Smash Hit Games

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

Trouble at an ad meeting for a mobile gaming company.

Trouble at an ad meeting for a mobile gaming company.

Rehoming

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

How to sell a haunted mattress.

How to sell a haunted mattress.

Platform Decay

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

A sequel to "Confetti Algorithm". A social media site is rapidly breaking down.

A sequel to "Confetti Algorithm". A social media site is rapidly breaking down.

The Jolly Riot: A Pirate Metal Musical

Book and lyrics by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

Josephine Doyle has been slaving away serving 'taters and grog to the many pirate patrons of The Drown’d Dutchman Tavern since she was a small child. Her world is suddenly turned upside down when she joins the crew of cutthroat pirate Captain Red Molly Robinson, in search for the infamous treasure of a terrifying sea monster. Along the way, Jo must face murderous mermaids, treacherous ocean storms, and an angry...

Josephine Doyle has been slaving away serving 'taters and grog to the many pirate patrons of The Drown’d Dutchman Tavern since she was a small child. Her world is suddenly turned upside down when she joins the crew of cutthroat pirate Captain Red Molly Robinson, in search for the infamous treasure of a terrifying sea monster. Along the way, Jo must face murderous mermaids, treacherous ocean storms, and an angry sea god, all the while finding her place among the crew and the strength to stand on her own.

The Go Green Project

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

A vlogger tells you all about how to care for your lawn AND deal with a nasty gnome infestation! But how do the gnomes feel about that?

A vlogger tells you all about how to care for your lawn AND deal with a nasty gnome infestation! But how do the gnomes feel about that?

Dam

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

An ecoterrorist strike potentially averted by Wordle.

An ecoterrorist strike potentially averted by Wordle.

Five Minutes Until the End

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

What to do when the world ends in five minutes?

What to do when the world ends in five minutes?

The Confetti Algorithm

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

A demonstration for a new social media site goes terribly wrong.

A demonstration for a new social media site goes terribly wrong.

In Return

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

There's an angry genie locked up in the basement...

There's an angry genie locked up in the basement...

Offering

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

There's a mix-up with the catering at a feast for vampires.

There's a mix-up with the catering at a feast for vampires.

Professor Jekyll and Miss Hyde: A Modern Adaptation

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

A modern, female-driven adaptation of the classic short story by Robert Louis Stevenson.

A modern, female-driven adaptation of the classic short story by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Vera

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

A couple of college students hold a seance with the local ghost.

A couple of college students hold a seance with the local ghost.

Death by Eleven Million Papercuts

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

A worldwide conglomerate, brought down by a ream of paper. A short two-hander.

A worldwide conglomerate, brought down by a ream of paper. A short two-hander.

Rehearsal for Peace

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

A space station prepares for a peace summit with hostile aliens. A short two-hander.

A space station prepares for a peace summit with hostile aliens. A short two-hander.

The Beaten Path

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

A runaway hijacks a car and gets in over their head. A short two-hander.

A runaway hijacks a car and gets in over their head. A short two-hander.

Social Media Challenge

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

A veteran superhero and a reckless novice talk social media strategy. A short two-hander.

A veteran superhero and a reckless novice talk social media strategy. A short two-hander.

Fledgling

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

A reluctant new vampire goes to Dracula for help. A monologue.

A reluctant new vampire goes to Dracula for help. A monologue.

Shake and Bake

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

An amateur chemist holds a grocery clerk hostage. A two-hander short play.

An amateur chemist holds a grocery clerk hostage. A two-hander short play.

Central Control

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

Aliens are attacking, and a fighter pilot lost their keys. A short two-hander.

Aliens are attacking, and a fighter pilot lost their keys. A short two-hander.

And the Radio Still Works

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

The aftermath of a heist gone horribly wrong. A monologue.

The aftermath of a heist gone horribly wrong. A monologue.

Alarm

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

A man goes to get his car fixed, and gets more than he bargained for. A monologue.

A man goes to get his car fixed, and gets more than he bargained for. A monologue.

From the Ruby Lounge

by William Thomas Berk

Synopsis

A dramatic workplace comedy set within a fictional Portland strip club. An up-and-coming dancer named "Sterling" guides us through this empowering, feminist, sex-positive, authentic view of work and life as a stripper. Written for an all-female cast, devised by the original cast and crew with extensive input from current and former Portland strippers.

A dramatic workplace comedy set within a fictional Portland strip club. An up-and-coming dancer named "Sterling" guides us through this empowering, feminist, sex-positive, authentic view of work and life as a stripper. Written for an all-female cast, devised by the original cast and crew with extensive input from current and former Portland strippers.