Jasmine Spiess

Jasmine Spiess is a NYC-based playwright whose full-length play, “On Any Given Day in America…” (developed as part of The Playground Experiment First Reads Festival), appeared as part of the 2022 Valdez Theatre Conference. Her short play, “Standing Up” was produced by New Ambassadors Theatre Company. “Tree Hugger” was produced and filmed by BAL Productions. “The Hypothesis” was published and produced as part of the Faces of America Monologue Festival through The PGE. Jasmine is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild of America: www.jasminespiess.com.

Scripts

On Any Given Day in America...

by Jasmine Spiess

Cast Size

9—16

Genre

drama,

political,

tragedy

Reconnecting with family IRL. Discovering your boyfriend's secret photos. Baby Store induced overwhelm. Training for your first day. Wedding dress shopping. A pre-show prayer. Sharing girl time without the 'rents... It can all change in an instant. And yet, nothing has changed... 417.

*Content warning: This play contains mass gun violence

**Please reach out to me for a full draft

*Content warning: This play contains mass gun violence

**Please reach out to me for a full draft

Standing Up

by Jasmine Spiess

Cast Size

Genre

comedy

Another Tinder date no-show leads to an unexpected alliance in an empty restaurant.

Tree Hugger

by Jasmine Spiess

Cast Size

Genre

drama

The unusual act of a stranger changes a grieving woman's view of what it means to connect.

Emotional Support Animals or Call Me Josephine

by Jasmine Spiess

Cast Size

2—3

Genre

comedy,

farce

Your best animal friends are so done with your dating life they have to break the "animal code". And yes... Freddie is judging you.

The Happiest Place on Earth?

by Jasmine Spiess

Cast Size

Genre

comedy,

farce

Jackie wakes up in her bachelorette party gear to find Mr. Giggles silently watching her, holding a Wacky Bat. How did she end up in Sillyland? Is Mrs. Muffinbottom traumatized for life? Will Mr. Giggles speak?

Wine Con-Noisier

by Jasmine Spiess

Cast Size

Genre

comedy

Man meets woman. Man thinks he is a wine connoisseur. Man is in for a rude awakening.

To Go

by Jasmine Spiess

Cast Size

Genre

comedy,

farce

Two women with too much in common tangle with each other at a busy lunch counter.

Grand Prize

by Jasmine Spiess

Cast Size

2—5

Genre

comedy,

farce,

romantic comedy

Manny wins a reality TV show, but forgets the "Grand Prize".

No Encore?

by Jasmine Spiess

Cast Size

Genre

comedy,

science fiction

Is the world ending in 5-ish minutes or is this all a part of the artistic process?

Website: https://www.jasminespiess.com

Recommended by

Things Stalin Never Said

by Maximillian Gill

This offbeat and darkly humorous play is relatable in the current world. The onslaught of human suffering we experience makes us wonder if, as Parker says, “we only have a natural store of the capacity to feel for other people and when it’s used up, it’s just gone and we can’t feel anything for anyone.” The comical twists and turns as the empathicist valiantly tries to address this statement using “Parker Two” to help Parker examine the past, present, and future of their life is an effective plot device to get Parker to come back to empathy.

This offbeat and darkly humorous play is relatable in the current world. The onslaught of human suffering we experience makes us wonder if, as Parker says, “we only have a natural store of the capacity to feel for other people and when it’s used up, it’s just gone and we can’t feel anything for anyone.” The comical twists and turns as the empathicist valiantly tries to address this statement using “Parker Two” to help Parker examine the past, present, and future of their life is an effective plot device to get Parker to come back to empathy.
Water and Blood

by Jan Probst

To be born out of tragedy, to witness the tragedy, to know the pain and guilt of the tragedy...To wonder what if the tragedy hadn't happened? This artfully crafted play sneaks up on you through the threads of different points of view from the tragedy ending a boy's life and how it shaped everyone it touched. Before you know it, tears are streaming down your face.

To be born out of tragedy, to witness the tragedy, to know the pain and guilt of the tragedy...To wonder what if the tragedy hadn't happened? This artfully crafted play sneaks up on you through the threads of different points of view from the tragedy ending a boy's life and how it shaped everyone it touched. Before you know it, tears are streaming down your face.
The Gun in Saint Margaret's Basement

by Dawson Moore

This drama highlights the schisms between people and their personal version of "God" in America, even within the same church with a literal gun to their heads. With mass shootings as an all-too-common occurrence in America, it is not surprising that Andrew has found himself at wit's end. There is great irony in an anti-gun activist holding church ladies hostage for an elaborate master plan that will end all the madness. You could cut the tension with a chainsaw and the twists and turns show grace, violence, and changes of heart coming in unexpected moments.

This drama highlights the schisms between people and their personal version of "God" in America, even within the same church with a literal gun to their heads. With mass shootings as an all-too-common occurrence in America, it is not surprising that Andrew has found himself at wit's end. There is great irony in an anti-gun activist holding church ladies hostage for an elaborate master plan that will end all the madness. You could cut the tension with a chainsaw and the twists and turns show grace, violence, and changes of heart coming in unexpected moments.
The Pigeon Play

by Cody Goulder

This play is such a wonderful commentary on religious fundamentalism and cleverly addresses the issue using pigeons. I found myself really rooting for Rue and Prue to be able to live their lives and be happy on their terms. The characters are so earnest. Of course, the backdrop of a funeral adds to the comedy. Can’t wait to see how it continues to develop after seeing it at the Valdez Theatre Conference!

This play is such a wonderful commentary on religious fundamentalism and cleverly addresses the issue using pigeons. I found myself really rooting for Rue and Prue to be able to live their lives and be happy on their terms. The characters are so earnest. Of course, the backdrop of a funeral adds to the comedy. Can’t wait to see how it continues to develop after seeing it at the Valdez Theatre Conference!
Sundown Town

by Marcus Scott

This play is so heartbreaking on so many levels… Two men trying to connect, trying to find solace in each other, but also acknowledging the harsh realities of being a person of color in the US. One of the most poignant parts for me was hearing the vivid dreams and that they were all real, leading to the metaphor of America as a “Sundown Town”. This is brilliant and brave work that should be widely produced. Congrats on your workshop at VTC!

This play is so heartbreaking on so many levels… Two men trying to connect, trying to find solace in each other, but also acknowledging the harsh realities of being a person of color in the US. One of the most poignant parts for me was hearing the vivid dreams and that they were all real, leading to the metaphor of America as a “Sundown Town”. This is brilliant and brave work that should be widely produced. Congrats on your workshop at VTC!

View all 13 recommendations

Jasmine Spiess

Scripts

On Any Given Day in America...

by Jasmine Spiess

Standing Up

by Jasmine Spiess

Tree Hugger

by Jasmine Spiess

Emotional Support Animals or Call Me Josephine

by Jasmine Spiess

The Happiest Place on Earth?

by Jasmine Spiess

Wine Con-Noisier

by Jasmine Spiess

To Go

by Jasmine Spiess

Grand Prize

by Jasmine Spiess

No Encore?

by Jasmine Spiess

Things Stalin Never Said

Water and Blood

The Gun in Saint Margaret's Basement

The Pigeon Play

Sundown Town