Brenton Kniess

BRENTON KNIESS is a published playwright, award winning director, actor, and acting coach based in Wisconsin. Brenton graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, receiving a BA in Drama and Media Studies. Brenton's work has been produced in New York, Connecticut, Wisconsin, and Idaho.

Perusal copies are available unless they are published; contact the publisher for rights inquiries. Licensing information for all other works is available via the Contact link or www.brentonkniess.com

Copyright Notice: By downloading any of the plays, you hereby acknowledge that Brenton Kniess is the sole copyright owner of these plays. None of these plays may be produced or reproduced in whole or in part unless permission is granted by the playwright or the designated agents...

BRENTON KNIESS is a published playwright, award winning director, actor, and acting coach based in Wisconsin. Brenton graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, receiving a BA in Drama and Media Studies. Brenton's work has been produced in New York, Connecticut, Wisconsin, and Idaho.

Perusal copies are available unless they are published; contact the publisher for rights inquiries. Licensing information for all other works is available via the Contact link or www.brentonkniess.com

Copyright Notice: By downloading any of the plays, you hereby acknowledge that Brenton Kniess is the sole copyright owner of these plays. None of these plays may be produced or reproduced in whole or in part unless permission is granted by the playwright or the designated agents.

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Scripts

The Thatcher Theater Terror

by Brenton Kniess

15
Cast Size
4
Genre
comedy,
parody/spoof

The script and rights are available through Next Stage Press.

ONE-ACT: Three movie theater employees are stuck cleaning up the Thatcher Theater, a quaint small-town movie theater after a busy Halloween night. As they clean, one mistake leads to the trio unleashing a ghostly visitor.

The script and rights are available through Next Stage Press.

ONE-ACT: Three movie theater employees are stuck cleaning up the Thatcher Theater, a quaint small-town movie theater after a busy Halloween night. As they clean, one mistake leads to the trio unleashing a ghostly visitor.

The Peculiar Puppets of Philip Platt

by Brenton Kniess

28
Cast Size
4
Genre
comedy,
drama

TEN MINUTES: In an attempt to face his grief, a puppeteer receives an unexpected visit from old friends.

TEN MINUTES: In an attempt to face his grief, a puppeteer receives an unexpected visit from old friends.

The Peculiar Puppets of Penelope Platt

by Brenton Kniess

7
Cast Size
4
Genre
comedy,
drama

TEN MINUTES: In the sequel to The Peculiar Puppets of Philip Platt, Penelope Platt receives an unexpected birthday gift from her recently deceased father.

TEN MINUTES: In the sequel to The Peculiar Puppets of Philip Platt, Penelope Platt receives an unexpected birthday gift from her recently deceased father.

Melt

by Brenton Kniess

21
Cast Size
2
Genre
comedy,
dark comedy,
fantasy,
horror,
romantic comedy,
science fiction

TEN MINUTES: Stacey and her boyfriend, David own an ice cream truck that has been within Stacey's family for 60 years. David is looking towards the future of their relationship while Stacey just wants to keep her family business going. Will this relationship freeze up in this cold dark comedy?

TEN MINUTES: Stacey and her boyfriend, David own an ice cream truck that has been within Stacey's family for 60 years. David is looking towards the future of their relationship while Stacey just wants to keep her family business going. Will this relationship freeze up in this cold dark comedy?

Melt: A New Scoop

by Brenton Kniess

8
Cast Size
3
Genre
dark comedy,
horror

ONE ACT: In this alternate version of the short play, Melt, Stacey and David's relationship is on thin ice when David insists on selling the ice cream truck that has been within Stacey's family for 60 years. While Stacey wants David to abandon the sale, the situation gets complicated when the buyer shows up ready to take the truck.

ONE ACT: In this alternate version of the short play, Melt, Stacey and David's relationship is on thin ice when David insists on selling the ice cream truck that has been within Stacey's family for 60 years. While Stacey wants David to abandon the sale, the situation gets complicated when the buyer shows up ready to take the truck.

Clockwork

by Brenton Kniess

17
Cast Size
4
Genre
drama,
science fiction

TEN MINUTES: Nick, a quantum physicist is celebrating his 25th birthday with his brother, Jonah, Jonah's fiance, Tasha, and Nick's ex-girlfriend, Ava. After Jonah and Nick get into an argument regarding Nick's time management, Nick makes a shocking revelation.

TEN MINUTES: Nick, a quantum physicist is celebrating his 25th birthday with his brother, Jonah, Jonah's fiance, Tasha, and Nick's ex-girlfriend, Ava. After Jonah and Nick get into an argument regarding Nick's time management, Nick makes a shocking revelation.

Pillow Talk

by Brenton Kniess

18
Cast Size
3
Genre
dark comedy,
farce,
romantic comedy

ONE-ACT: After what seemed to be a failed date, Olive contemplates what she needs to do to get into a long-term relationship. Ella, Olive's roommate wants to help her, but Ella believes that for Olive to get into a relationship she'll need to stop collecting pillows, which Ella knows to be a dangerous addiction. Will Olive give up this fluffy fascination for love?

ONE-ACT: After what seemed to be a failed date, Olive contemplates what she needs to do to get into a long-term relationship. Ella, Olive's roommate wants to help her, but Ella believes that for Olive to get into a relationship she'll need to stop collecting pillows, which Ella knows to be a dangerous addiction. Will Olive give up this fluffy fascination for love?

Before You Submit

by Brenton Kniess

15
Cast Size
2
Genre
comedy,
parody/spoof,
satire

An eager playwright has finished their submission form for an upcoming playwriting competition. Now they’re ready to submit their play…or so they think.

An eager playwright has finished their submission form for an upcoming playwriting competition. Now they’re ready to submit their play…or so they think.

The Five Stages: 5 Short Plays About Life, Death, and Love

by Brenton Kniess

5
Cast Size
6—16
Genre
comedy,
dark comedy,
drama,
horror,
science fiction

COLLECTION: Playwright Brenton Kniess takes audiences on five different journeys where characters face the trials and tribulations of life, death, and love. Ranging from comedy to drama, science fiction to horror, audiences can expect a night of emotions when they experience The Five Stages.

Plays Included
Slapjack Saturday
Melt
Clockwork
Luck of the Draw
The Peculiar Puppets of Philip Platt

COLLECTION: Playwright Brenton Kniess takes audiences on five different journeys where characters face the trials and tribulations of life, death, and love. Ranging from comedy to drama, science fiction to horror, audiences can expect a night of emotions when they experience The Five Stages.

Plays Included
Slapjack Saturday
Melt
Clockwork
Luck of the Draw
The Peculiar Puppets of Philip Platt

Slapjack Saturday

by Brenton Kniess

14
Cast Size
2—3
Genre
comedy,
drama

TEN MINUTES: Based VERY loosely on real events, a widowed woman brings a raccoon into a bar for her weekly game of slapjack.

TEN MINUTES: Based VERY loosely on real events, a widowed woman brings a raccoon into a bar for her weekly game of slapjack.

Luck of the Draw

by Brenton Kniess

16
Cast Size
2
Genre
drama,
political,
romantic comedy

TEN MINUTES: In the not-so-distant future, the U.S. government has made a law stating that the government will arrange all marriages. A young outspoken writer, Irelynn, meets with her assigned husband-to-be, Bennett, hours before their marriage becomes legal. While having their first conversation, they share stories of past love, societal changes, and how love connects everything in their lives.

TEN MINUTES: In the not-so-distant future, the U.S. government has made a law stating that the government will arrange all marriages. A young outspoken writer, Irelynn, meets with her assigned husband-to-be, Bennett, hours before their marriage becomes legal. While having their first conversation, they share stories of past love, societal changes, and how love connects everything in their lives.

The Bench

by Brenton Kniess

21
Cast Size
1
Genre
drama

MONOLOGUE: Within this monologue, a person reveals their connection with a past lover who is still a part of them.

MONOLOGUE: Within this monologue, a person reveals their connection with a past lover who is still a part of them.

Therese

by Brenton Kniess

8
Cast Size
4
Genre
docudrama/historic,
drama,
mystery/thriller

REVISION COMING LATE 2025

FULL LENGTH MURDER MYSTERY: Robert Davins, a troubled concert pianist, plans a dinner party for those closest to him in an attempt to put his life back on course. As an argument disrupts the evening, the guests mysteriously pass out, only to wake up to find Robert’s dead body collapsed on his piano and a bloody letter opener sitting in the middle of the room.

REVISION COMING LATE 2025

FULL LENGTH MURDER MYSTERY: Robert Davins, a troubled concert pianist, plans a dinner party for those closest to him in an attempt to put his life back on course. As an argument disrupts the evening, the guests mysteriously pass out, only to wake up to find Robert’s dead body collapsed on his piano and a bloody letter opener sitting in the middle of the room.

Where Wallabies Wallow

by Brenton Kniess

Cast Size
3
Genre
drama,
fable/folktale,
radio drama

TEN MINUTE CLIMATE CHANGE FAMILY DRAMA: "Where wallabies wallow the children will play hide and seek in the hallow..." An outsider warns of an imminent danger that no one else in the group has witnessed. Skye has to make a choice. Does she follow her family or the outsider? Her future depends on it.

TEN MINUTE CLIMATE CHANGE FAMILY DRAMA: "Where wallabies wallow the children will play hide and seek in the hallow..." An outsider warns of an imminent danger that no one else in the group has witnessed. Skye has to make a choice. Does she follow her family or the outsider? Her future depends on it.

Luck of the Draw (Full-Length)

by Brenton Kniess

Cast Size
5
Genre
drama,
political

FULL-LENGTH DRAMA. In the not-so-distant future, the U.S. government has made a law stating that the government will arrange all marriages. A young outspoken writer, meets with her assigned husband-to-be hours before their marriage becomes legal. While having their first conversation, they share stories of past love, societal changes, and how love connects everything in their lives. Can this couple come together...

FULL-LENGTH DRAMA. In the not-so-distant future, the U.S. government has made a law stating that the government will arrange all marriages. A young outspoken writer, meets with her assigned husband-to-be hours before their marriage becomes legal. While having their first conversation, they share stories of past love, societal changes, and how love connects everything in their lives. Can this couple come together to make the country love again?

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