Joe Nelms

Loosely based on the time my childhood therapist stalked my family, Burning House is a memory play that answers the question: What happens when the people we trust to help us do the opposite?

The Story: In a last-ditch effort to save his relationship, Trey, an emotionally guarded man, begs his frustrated fiancé Rebecca to listen to the shocking (and painfully honest) story behind his romantic issues, including his troubling relationship with a childhood therapist and the long-term effects she had on his adult life. But what Rebecca hears is a most unpredictable tale from the man she thought she knew so well.

Burning House is a taut, twist-filled roller coaster of unrelenting tension that ratchets up the suspense with every unexpected turn and surprise raise of the emotional ante.

Seamlessly weaving three interconnected stories from Trey’s life, Burning House creates a powerful portrait of a child at risk, a boy in recovery, and a man in love.

Burning House was performed at New York Theater Festival’s 20200 Winterfest where it was a Finalist for Best Play.

Theater Critic Peter Filichia came to one of those shows and gave us a rave review on his podcast the following week, referring to the writing as ‘magnificent’.

Link to his review: https://vimeo.com/390379438

What Norman Saw is the story of a mother who unexpectedly reconnects with her estranged adult son, the powerful but flawed bond they share, and how it gets tested in some unexpected circumstances, including the kidnapping and murder of a neighborhood girl.

Exploring the themes of perception, strength, and the legacy of guilt, What Norman Saw is a look at what happens when unconditional love becomes an unmanageable burden.

A one-act drama that explores the expectations, obligations, and limitations of love. Who defines them? Who enforces them? What are their consequences? What are the bonds we choose to accept even when we no longer have to.

When a tornado warning forces two women, Mimi and Tabitha, to shelter in a suburban basement, they are forced to confront some long-buried issues – they are the first and second wives of the same man – and one very pressing one – that man is upstairs, unprotected from the tornado, and the women are not capable of bringing him downstairs with them.

A socially awkward person tries to talk their way back into the good graces of their newly acquired friend group, despite being recently bitten by a zombie.

Created to in response to a year of living through the the stress of the pandemic, Zoom is a short play created to address the pain, stress, and hopelessness that were inevitable even in the earliest days. A monologue from the perspective of the now ubiquitous app, Zoom speaks directly to anyone who has ever had to use their laptop to connect with the outside world to remind us all that the crisis won’t last forever but while it does, none of us has to be alone.

Zoom premiered in the Theater Resources Unlimited TRUSpeak – Hear Our Voices! 2021 fundraiser and stared Jim Brochu, Brenda Braxton, Robert Cuccioli, Ann Harada, Jana Robbins, and Dickie Hearts under the direction of Dennis Corsi along with the inspiration and guidance of TRU founder Bob Ost.

A rumination on the power of the wink turns vaguely threatening.

An annoyed parent tries an unorthodox (okay, a little scary) approach to asking their neighbor to keep the noise down in the apartment above them.

What if you had to choose which of your children to save?

The pandemic was devestating. But perhaps the hardest hit were those who went through it alone. Thanks to unique situations and complex family dynamics, many were left to fend for themselves despite crushing need and desperate situations.

Plus One looks at one snapshot representative of so many and asks readers to consider what they would do if they had to choose between loved ones.

Plus One was originally published in the Spring, 2021 issue of the Westchester Review.

A short fable about a police officer who is held accountable for actions taken as well as the truth they are responsible for.

Written as a metaphor for accountability and justice, this play is an exploration in perspectives and interpretation.