Will Vence Jr

Will Vence Jr

I'm a maliciously transgender (they/them) playwright based in Philadelphia. I love dark humor, Shadow the hedgehog, and songs that sound like metal clashing in a garbage disposal.

My plays are autobiographical fiction. By tackling my emotionally charged personal stories, I create plays that are both true and fictional. They paint a picture of myself as a human while also being works of...
I'm a maliciously transgender (they/them) playwright based in Philadelphia. I love dark humor, Shadow the hedgehog, and songs that sound like metal clashing in a garbage disposal.

My plays are autobiographical fiction. By tackling my emotionally charged personal stories, I create plays that are both true and fictional. They paint a picture of myself as a human while also being works of theatre that stand on their own two feet. My hope is that by exposing myself, sliver by sliver, I can inspire audiences and readers to take a look at themselves, their stories, and the idea that we are not always the ones in the right. Brutal self-reflection is the only way to be aware of your surroundings, and the impact you have on everyone and yourself.

Plays

  • masculine evil by Will Vence Jr
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2–3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: trans identity, masculinity + 7 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, science fiction
    Keyword: trans identity, masculinity, artifice, zombies, two person play, two-hander, video games, queer, military
    "masculine evil" is supposed to be a two-person self-reflection zombie shit show that's set in a Playstation 1 world filled with men, masculinity, and guns. That's fucking sick right? Following kick-ass soldiers Ren & Jagg, the two are gonna cock their guns, come in running, and leave a load of zombies in their dust. What else are masculine men supposed to do?
  • a psychic investigation into the death of someone i once knew by Will Vence Jr
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    8–10
    ·
    Genre: adventure, drama + 4 more
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    Keyword: psychic, Psychic abilities + 8 more
    Genre: adventure, drama, experimental, horror, mystery/thriller, science fiction
    Keyword: psychic, Psychic abilities, psychic detective, detective noir, film noir, comic book, nonbinary, nonbinary lead, queer, femme fatale
    "a psychic investigation into the death of someone i once knew," is a modern-day noir mystery infused with X-Men omega-level mutant powers.

    Set in 2021 and a fragmented 2011, the play follows August, a private investigator who returns to their hometown after being estranged for a decade to investigate the murders of local gay men.

    That's hard enough, but now throw...
    "a psychic investigation into the death of someone i once knew," is a modern-day noir mystery infused with X-Men omega-level mutant powers.

    Set in 2021 and a fragmented 2011, the play follows August, a private investigator who returns to their hometown after being estranged for a decade to investigate the murders of local gay men.

    That's hard enough, but now throw in psychic warfare, an angry ex-best friend, and the consequences of leaving everyone in the dust.

    August might have their work cut out for them.

    "a psychic investigation..." forces audiences to consider the changes around them. The play asks, “What has changed,” “Why has it changed,” and most importantly “Do we want things to change back?”

Recommended by Will Vence Jr

  • OUR OUIJA BOARD, THE GAMES WE PLAYED, THE SHIT WE CONJURED, & THE DEAD DUDE WE HATE-FUCKED by Haygen-Brice Walker
    3 Dec. 2022
    “ Reunions suck. Memories suck. Small towns suck. "Ouija..." encapsulates the awkward truth of having to face everyone you share something deeply personal with and the taboos that arise when you mix in time and distance. It's queer as fuck and even more relevant a fuck. The play is remarkably funny, tantalizingly dark, and filled with an element of shock that will make you think, "What on god's green earth am I reading," in the best way possible. This is truly one of my favorite plays ever (for context, I'm a professional hater). A must-read. ”