Kyle J. McCloskey

Kyle J. McCloskey

Kyle J McCloskey (He/They/Anything Respectful) is originally from Philadelphia, now residing in Chicago, IL.

His work was seen or developed with The Alliance Theatre, Studio Theatre, The American Playwriting Foundation, The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, The Great Plains Theatre Conference, American Theater Company, Victory Gardens Theater Company, Woven Theatre, Collaboraction...
Kyle J McCloskey (He/They/Anything Respectful) is originally from Philadelphia, now residing in Chicago, IL.

His work was seen or developed with The Alliance Theatre, Studio Theatre, The American Playwriting Foundation, The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, The Great Plains Theatre Conference, American Theater Company, Victory Gardens Theater Company, Woven Theatre, Collaboraction Theatre Company, Stage Left Theater Company, the University of California - Los Angeles, and Loyola University Chicago.

He is a two-time recipient of the Paula Vogel Prize from the Kennedy Center, runner-up for The Harold and Mimi Steinberg National Student Playwriting Award, runner-up for the Jean Kennedy Smith Prize from the Kennedy Center, a Semifinalist for the Relentless Award from the American Playwriting Foundation, a Finalist for the Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition, a Finalist for the Blue Ink Award from American Blues Theater, a Finalist for the Princess Grace Award, a finalist for the Jerome Fellowship from the Playwright's Center, and a semi-finalist for the O’Neill Playwright’s Conference.

He is a past recipient of the James B. Pendleton Foundation Prize, The MacGowan Family Playwriting Fellowship, a Hollywood Foreign Press Awards Fellowship, and the George Burns & Gracie Allen Fellowship in Comedy.

MFA UCLA, BA Loyola University Chicago

Plays

  • Edge of Town by Kyle J. McCloskey
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 3 more
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    Keyword: Death of the Working Class, sex work + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, drama, political, tragedy
    Keyword: Death of the Working Class, sex work, feminist, socialist, disability, labor rights, Labor and Unions
    Jo, Andi, and Vanessa all find themselves at crossroads. Vanessa is trying to find her footing. Andi is trying to fend off her demons. Jo is trying to get her damn disability. As the three women struggle individually, they find purpose and protection in the confidence of each other.
  • Where the Lovelight Gleams by Kyle J. McCloskey
    Recommendations: 9
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: adventure, drama + 7 more
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    Keyword: global warming, environmental crisis + 6 more
    Genre: adventure, drama, experimental, faith-based, holiday, movement/physical, political, tragedy, verse
    Keyword: global warming, environmental crisis, christmas, criminal justice reform, Mass Incarceration, Wild Theatricality, Gay and LGBTQ, California Wildfires
    On Christmas Eve, three incarcerated women as part of the California Conservation Program traverse the Southern California Woods, securing the land against the threat of wildfires. As their shift continues, they begin to ask questions of faith, sexuality, justice, and grace. Tensions rise, bonds are tested, and we the audience are left to ask: what exactly is a human life worth?
  • The Great Toronto Clown Riot of 1855 by Kyle J. McCloskey
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    13–40
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 6 more
    ·
    Keyword: Irish - British Troubles, irish + 7 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, docudrama/historic, farce, movement/physical, period, political, satire
    Keyword: Irish - British Troubles, irish, clowns, based on historical events and characters, History, Farce, riots, comedy, ensemble
    Toronto, 1855 - When Toronto experiences an influx of immigrants during the Potato Massacre of the 1800's, Queen Victoria sends a decree to The Orange Order and Mayor William Allen to hold a festival in commemoration of William of Orange. There's only one problem: they've hired an Irish American Clown Troupe from Chicago. As tempers rise and the events unfurl, the entire city ramps up towards one...
    Toronto, 1855 - When Toronto experiences an influx of immigrants during the Potato Massacre of the 1800's, Queen Victoria sends a decree to The Orange Order and Mayor William Allen to hold a festival in commemoration of William of Orange. There's only one problem: they've hired an Irish American Clown Troupe from Chicago. As tempers rise and the events unfurl, the entire city ramps up towards one of the most ridiculous riots in the history of Toronto.
  • The Association of Strong Spirited Humans Against Tyranny... And Stuff OR A Idiot's Guide to Making a Militia (FULL LENGTH) by Kyle J. McCloskey
    Cast: 
    8–1000000000
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 5 more
    ·
    Keyword: White Supremacy, Whiteface + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, fable/folktale, farce, movement/physical, political, satire
    Keyword: White Supremacy, Whiteface, gun violence, small town, Brechtian, Farce, clown show
    As the people of FUNKYTOWN mourn the loss of their jobs, a mysterious CLOWN comes to town and trains one special Boy to be a leader of the People's Resistance. But as Ayan Rand rears her ugly head, the movement turns into a monstrous beast.

    Also there is egg salad.

    Come through for a farce with as much Egg Salad, Guns, and White Face a person could possibly want!!!!
  • The Drivers by Kyle J. McCloskey
    Cast: 
    4–7
    ·
    Genre: drama, political + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: Rideshare, drivers + 3 more
    Genre: drama, political, zoom
    Keyword: Rideshare, drivers, Immigrants, gig economy, gig workers
    Four Rideshare drivers share moments of their lives on one day during the pandemic.
  • Give What You Can, Take What You Need by Kyle J. McCloskey
    Cast: 
    3–10
    ·
    Genre: experimental, immersive
    ·
    Keyword: Etude, Utopia + 1 more
    Genre: experimental, immersive
    Keyword: Etude, Utopia, queer
    Where are we coming from, who are we now, what do we want of the future?
    This is an immersive piece for up to ten participants on the creation of a shared utopia.
  • Smeeah the Queeah by Kyle J. McCloskey
    Cast: 
    6
    ·
    Genre: comedy, movement/physical + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: Gay and LGBTQ, queer
    Genre: comedy, movement/physical, young audiences
    Keyword: Gay and LGBTQ, queer
    Two boys contemplate the game they love - Smeeah the Queeah - and their respective places in life as twelve year olds.
    Three boys look to SMASH!
    A young boy finds love.
  • Hungry Hearts by Kyle J. McCloskey
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: LGBTQ, Obesity + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, political, romantic comedy, young audiences
    Keyword: LGBTQ, Obesity, Depression, suicide, women, high school
    Jessica Lawler, seventeen and overweight, is about to start her senior year of high school. But when a new, unexpected love appears, Jess’ world drastically changes, for better and for worse. In Hungry Hearts, we see how three distinct of forms of love, the love of her father, the love of her best friend, and a new, first time romantic love, push Jessica, until she is able to come to grips with what the typhoon...
    Jessica Lawler, seventeen and overweight, is about to start her senior year of high school. But when a new, unexpected love appears, Jess’ world drastically changes, for better and for worse. In Hungry Hearts, we see how three distinct of forms of love, the love of her father, the love of her best friend, and a new, first time romantic love, push Jessica, until she is able to come to grips with what the typhoon that is her life. Hungry Hearts examines obesity, shame theory, teenage angst, depression, puberty, media depictions of overweight persons, lesbian love, literature, and so much more. The play runs roughly an hour and a half, and was the recipient of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region III Award for Best New Full Length Play
  • Scores and Scenes for Socialist Quaranteens Or I’m Stuck in My Parents House on a Saturday Night and My Father is Still a Libertarian So Let’s Fuck With Him by Kyle J. McCloskey
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 5 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, immersive, melodrama, movement/physical, pantomime, political
    A guided five-hour performance for those stuck in our parents home during quarantine (or really anytime, actually)
  • The Association of Strong Spirited Humans Against Tyranny ...and Stuff OR A Idiot's Guide to Making a Militia (ONE ACT VERSION) by Kyle J. McCloskey
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    8–17
    ·
    Genre: comedy, commedia dell'arte + 8 more
    ·
    Keyword: Contemporary farce, Politics + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, commedia dell'arte, dark comedy, drama, fable/folktale, farce, movement/physical, pageant, political, satire
    Keyword: Contemporary farce, Politics, social justice, Brechtian
    As the people of FUNKYTOWN mourn the loss of their jobs, a mysterious CLOWN comes to town and trains one special Boy to be a leader of the People's Resistance. But as Ayan Rand rears her ugly head, the movement turns into a monstrous beast.

    Also there is egg salad.

    Come through for a farce with as much Egg Salad, Guns, and White Face a person could possibly want!!!!