Jaxson Mackling

Jaxson Mackling

Jaxson Mackling is a playwright, director, producer, and actor hailing from Decatur, IL. He is currently a junior at Millikin University and is the Incoming Director Of New Works at Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre.

Jaxson started writing in 2017, and has written over 20 plays ranging in mystery, sci-fi, and other genres. Most of Jaxson's work has themes of LGBTQIA+ Representation, as well as...
Jaxson Mackling is a playwright, director, producer, and actor hailing from Decatur, IL. He is currently a junior at Millikin University and is the Incoming Director Of New Works at Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre.

Jaxson started writing in 2017, and has written over 20 plays ranging in mystery, sci-fi, and other genres. Most of Jaxson's work has themes of LGBTQIA+ Representation, as well as stories that are true and come from the heart.

Jaxson hopes that when peers and theatrical individuals read his work, they will be left feeling something and wanting more.

Plays

  • Communication Between Exes by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: exes, past relationships + 5 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: exes, past relationships, auto-immune disorders, finding self-love, couples therapy, bad communication, one location
    One Act. 57 pages. Updated (1/14/2024)

    Formerly titled "In This"

    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 comes to terms with her aunt's auto-immune disease, Walsh begins to piece together his own identity, not only as a person but as a partner. Set in the upper...
    One Act. 57 pages. Updated (1/14/2024)

    Formerly titled "In This"

    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 comes to terms with her aunt's 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.
  • More For You (Closure) by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 10
    ·
    Cast: 
    9
    ·
    Genre: drama, immersive + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: accepting death, grieving + 6 more
    Genre: drama, immersive, movement/physical, mystery/thriller
    Keyword: accepting death, grieving, divorced, finding love, gay and lesbian, hired, Self-Defense, attempted suicide/recovery
    FULL LENGTH. 71 PAGES. NEW DRAFT (11/21/2023).

    Reading: States of Play, New Jersey, July 2023
    Reading: The Literary and Discourse Society, England, August 2023

    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...
    FULL LENGTH. 71 PAGES. NEW DRAFT (11/21/2023).

    Reading: States of Play, New Jersey, July 2023
    Reading: The Literary and Discourse Society, England, August 2023

    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: 7
    ·
    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: 12
    ·
    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.
  • Moving On by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    4–5
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: moving on, Relationships + 3 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: moving on, Relationships, friendships, personal issues, getting back to your roots
    When is the right time to move on? Maybe after a tramatic event, or possibly after a surprise you weren't expecting? For one of these four individuals, facing her look back on going to be tough.

    Facing February Prompt 1: "Travel Surprises"
  • The Best Days by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: small memories, family + 7 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: small memories, family, cousins, twins, making food, grilled cheese, cookies, texting, based on a true story
    9 PAGES. (10 Minute)

    Sometimes the smallest of memories can make the best of days.
  • Our Santa by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 14
    ·
    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: 6
    ·
    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.
  • Weird Moms Build Character (I'm Proud of You) - A Short Companion Play by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    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...
  • The Rainbow After The Storm by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    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?
  • Snapshot by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama
    ·
    Keyword: Downtown bar, Missouri + 6 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama
    Keyword: Downtown bar, Missouri, Honky tonk, photograhy, criminal, criminal past, ten minute comedy, finding meaning
    8 PAGES. (8-10 Minutes)
    When two strangers meet in a bar, pasts unfold and futures persist.
  • Something For Everyone by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: audition monologue, auditioning + 1 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: audition monologue, auditioning, finding your truth
    1 PAGE. (3 Minute Monologue)

    Right before going in for an audition, an actor decides to change their tune.
  • Other Worldly (The Savior Complex) by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: Dystopia, Utopian future + 3 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, immersive, science fiction
    Keyword: Dystopia, Utopian future, doppelganger, science fiction. two person scene, ten minute play
    8 PAGES. (10 Minute)
    In a dystopian world, Peter meets his doppelgänger who brings him an ultimatum, that might just change his life.
  • 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.
  • 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: 8
    ·
    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: 6
    ·
    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.
  • Don't Play Wii Baseball Alone by Jaxson Mackling
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: comedy, movement/physical + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: two minute monologue, Wii sports + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, movement/physical, young audiences
    Keyword: two minute monologue, Wii sports, baseball, gameplay
    1 Page. 2 Minute Monologue.
    Sometimes when playing Wii Baseball alone, players may conclude they never wanna play again.