Jaxson Mackling

Jaxson Mackling

Jaxson Mackling is a current junior getting his BA in Arts Administration from Millikin University in Decatur, IL. Jaxson has been doing theatre since the age of nine and has never left. When Jaxson started writing in 2017, he wrote his first play, titled Murdered By One. From then on he has written over 20 plays ranging in murder mystery, to short and full-length comedies and dramas. Most of Jaxson's work...
Jaxson Mackling is a current junior getting his BA in Arts Administration from Millikin University in Decatur, IL. Jaxson has been doing theatre since the age of nine and has never left. When Jaxson started writing in 2017, he wrote his first play, titled Murdered By One. From then on he has written over 20 plays ranging in murder mystery, to short and full-length comedies and dramas. Most of Jaxson's work has themes of LGBTQ+ Representation as well as stories that are true and come from the heart. Jaxson's recent full-length, "More For You", a queer murder mystery was recommended as '...the play that has it all...'.



Aside from writing for theatre, Jaxson has grown a love for acting for and producing theatre. He has been apart of many theaters across the Decatur and Oreana, IL areas.
Mid-Summer Moon Productions (Winter 2013-current; Actor, Playwright, Assistant Director)
Theatre7 (Summer 2019-current; Actor, Assistant Director)
Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre (Spring 2022-current; Festival Stage Director, Technical Staff, New Works Marketing Supervisor)

With his degree from Millikin University and many years of experience in theatrical work, Jaxson hopes to one day open his own production company, where he can produce shows that will not only uplift but educate the world of theatre, and theatre-goers alike. As well as some of his favorites.

In the words of Jaxson, himself, 'Thank you for taking the time to read this long and lengthy bio. I hope that you too feel that same about theatre. Please feel free to browse my small collection of plays, and I will do the same.'

Plays

  • More For You (Closure) by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    9
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: accepting death, grieving + 5 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, horror, immersive, movement/physical, mystery/thriller
    Keyword: accepting death, grieving, divorced, finding love, gay and lesbian, hired, attempted suicide/recovery
    INTERMISSIONLESS FULL LENGTH (Major Rewrite 6/2/23)

    Is the reason she was murdered because of closure or love?

    In finding closure and love after their sister's death, Danny and Travis Greenwood must find out what happened, while simultaneously coming to the realization that Travis' wife Erin is a closeted homosexual finding herself.
  • Promises, Promises by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 6
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: bonds of friendship, Broken promises
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, immersive
    Keyword: bonds of friendship, Broken promises
    17 PAGES. (20-MINUTE DRAMA) (INTERMISSIONLESS)

    New Draft (5/19/23)

    This play was commissioned for Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre and Millikin University in Decatur, IL.

    After a night out with his best friend Max, Tyler comes back to their hotel room, contemplating his life choices. In the heat of a heart-to-heart, a faulty promise, and a handwritten note; a knock at the...
    17 PAGES. (20-MINUTE DRAMA) (INTERMISSIONLESS)

    New Draft (5/19/23)

    This play was commissioned for Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre and Millikin University in Decatur, IL.

    After a night out with his best friend Max, Tyler comes back to their hotel room, contemplating his life choices. In the heat of a heart-to-heart, a faulty promise, and a handwritten note; a knock at the door breaks the bond of friendship out of proportion....or maybe something better.
  • Voyage To Nowhere by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 6
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: homelessness, friendship + 1 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: homelessness, friendship, distance
    10 MINUTE

    Newly Updated! (5/21/23)

    Best Friends Tate and Sienna have decided to spend a week together, but when Tate stays longer than expected, Sienna starts to become worried, and the night reveals the start of an unexpected adventure in both their own lives and their friendship.
  • Our Santa by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 11
    ·
    Cast: 
    2–3
    ·
    Genre: drama, holiday + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: alternative Christmas, gift giving + 3 more
    Genre: drama, holiday, young audiences
    Keyword: alternative Christmas, gift giving, mall, department store, Santa hat
    7 PAGES. (10 minute)

    When Colleen takes her son Brett out for a day of shopping on Black Friday, Brett soon learns the cold hard truth about Christmas, though once he realizes...he might just take the reins.
  • Just Breathe by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: mathematics, statistics + 5 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: mathematics, statistics, the aftermath, behavioral therapy, belief in self, coming-of-self, Able-bodied/disabled Tensions
    8 PAGES. (10 Minute)

    Written for a college level statistics course.

    The mathematics in this play are in conjunction with Dr. Paula Stickles.

    During the final weeks of Cole’s fall semester-sophomore year, the aftermath of a meeting with a behavior specialist, and an ugly trope of self-finding could turn Cole’s, once mathematical genius life, upside down.
  • The Rainbow After The Storm by Jaxson Mackling
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: LGBT, pride + 5 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, immersive
    Keyword: LGBT, pride, Pride parade, Daughter, Dark pasts, Republicanism, Finding Nemo
    7 PAGES. (10 MINUTE)
    When Monica and Jamie's daughter Bella dies after being attacked at a Pride parade, Monica and Jamie relive their dark past in order to see the light within the situation. Could something come to light, or will the two continue to crumble under pressure?
  • Weird Moms Build Character (I'm Proud of You) - A Short Companion Play by Jaxson Mackling
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama
    ·
    Keyword: finals, report + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, drama
    Keyword: finals, report, grades, learning disabilities
    (3 PAGES). 2-3 MINUTES.

    This play in essence is a companion piece following “Just Breathe”. I’ve written this piece in such a way that it can be performed as a standalone, or with its companion.

    Cole is on summer vacation and his final grades for sophomore year have been posted. What is he feeling...
  • Snowing In November by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 8
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: breaking the rules, changing the rules + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, holiday
    Keyword: breaking the rules, changing the rules, christmas, book, mayor, adult women best friends, single mothers
    8 PAGES. (10 MINUTE)

    Jenna invites Beth over for a girls night, and poof there’s a tree sitting in the living room...before Christmas! This is a crime!
  • Christmas On Marinwood Lane by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    2–3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: christmas, secret Santa + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, holiday
    Keyword: christmas, secret Santa, small moments, awkward love, train
    7 PAGES. (5-10 Minutes)

    When Nessa and Lincoln get each other as their secret Santa, a night of gift giving turns into an adventure of the heart and the hearts of their persons.
  • Five by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 9
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, movement/physical + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: birthday, autism spectrum disorder + 4 more
    Genre: drama, movement/physical, tragedy
    Keyword: birthday, autism spectrum disorder, astronaut, earth and space, mom, dad and son
    TEN MINUTE (Updated 9/3/22 - minor changes)

    * This play does contain themes of autism, drug trafficking, and drug cartel.

    After a surprise visit to make his birthday wonderful, one question still looms over Julian’s head, “Where’s mom?”
  • Lady Fashion by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 8
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: model, personal stylist + 1 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: model, personal stylist, family
    New Draft (2/12/2023)

    5 MINUTE

    A personal stylist helps an older model combat her aging appearance, only to realize something deeper.
  • Whack! (The Irresponsibility Play) by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    5–6
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: playwriting, playwrights + 7 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, satire
    Keyword: playwriting, playwrights, irresponsibility, Tony Kushner, Tracy Letts, Lee Blessing, neil Simon, business meetings, dreams
    7 PAGES. (10-15 Minutes)
    For Jack, playwriting is art form. An art form of expression as to where you are intertwined with every story that you write;...until one day when his mind goes blank, and irresponsibility takes over, changing his life for the better. Maybe even with the help of Tony Kushner.
  • In This by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    7–8
    ·
    Genre: biography, drama + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: Discovering of Sexual Identity, auto-immune disorders
    Genre: biography, drama, immersive
    Keyword: Discovering of Sexual Identity, auto-immune disorders
    FULL LENGTH

    After an unlawful breakup on both parties, Walsh and Emilia’s fates are not only at the hands of themselves, but possibly each other. While Emilia come to terms with her aunts auto-immune disease, Walsh begins to piece together his own identity, not only as a person, but as a partner. Set in the upper streets of New York, New York, a series of hardships make these roommates truly...
    FULL LENGTH

    After an unlawful breakup on both parties, Walsh and Emilia’s fates are not only at the hands of themselves, but possibly each other. While Emilia come to terms with her aunts auto-immune disease, Walsh begins to piece together his own identity, not only as a person, but as a partner. Set in the upper streets of New York, New York, a series of hardships make these roommates truly realize if breaking up was the best option.
  • Baby Blue by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, romantic comedy
    ·
    Keyword: refurbished apartment, ex-boyfriend + 3 more
    Genre: drama, romantic comedy
    Keyword: refurbished apartment, ex-boyfriend, painter, deceased loved ones, wrong color
    Updated (7/19/22)

    10 MINUTE

    Julia has just broken up with — who she swore was her last boyfriend — and kicked him to the curb. Now she’s decided to refurnish her coveted apartment in more “her style”; although when she hires a painter, who doesn’t seem like her type at all, there is something about him.
  • Penny by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama
    ·
    Keyword: A Family drama, Chickens + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, drama
    Keyword: A Family drama, Chickens, mourning a loved one, old age, antics, father and daughter
    6 PAGES. 5 MINUTE

    Bruce, an upright farmer is ceased to believe that he has nine chickens, yet his daughter is pruned to believe he’s just up to antics again...until the real truth comes out.
  • The Common Hope by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, movement/physical
    ·
    Keyword: father, becoming parents + 5 more
    Genre: drama, movement/physical
    Keyword: father, becoming parents, babysitting responsibilities, babysitting standards, pregnancy, period, light-hearted
    10 MINUTE

    Landon is a recent father of twin boys who died, yet he hoped to one day become a father. After countless tries with his fiancé Melody, he has been asked to watch his nieces while his sister is away. Will the responsibilities test Landon’s limits or will he become a coveted “baby whisperer” and start to change babysitting standards?
  • The Muses Of Humanity by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: artist's creating meaning, artistic creation + 3 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, immersive
    Keyword: artist's creating meaning, artistic creation, photograph, photographer, bonds of friendship
    10 MINUTE (Updated 2/22/23)

    *This play does contain the subject of endangerment.*

    Benny, an up-and-coming photographer asks his best friend, and their partner to come to support a showcase he’s featured in, although when they get a glimpse of his newest work, they both begin to question his creditability as an artist, friend, and ultimately a human being.

  • Subway Adventures by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 9
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: five minute play, conversation between strangers + 2 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: five minute play, conversation between strangers, aspiring actress, business
    Updated (1/12/23)

    5 MINUTE

    When two strangers meet on a subway platform, the phrase "Don't talk to strangers." goes better than planned.
  • Sophisticated by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 6
    ·
    Cast: 
    2–3
    ·
    Genre: drama, immersive
    ·
    Keyword: chasing your dreams, finding yourself + 3 more
    Genre: drama, immersive
    Keyword: chasing your dreams, finding yourself, embracing differences, Adult-Child relationships, insiders and outcasts
    10 MINUTE

    A mother and daughter discuss how dreams aren’t always everything.