James Perry

One-Act
20-45 min.

Will has created a time machine and he wants to share this invention with his friend, Sean. Will and Sean soon discover that time-travel has dire consequences as they travel from 2019 to 2020, and beyond.

10-min.

A staged adaptation of the original poem, written by Edgar Allan Poe.

This adaptation contains no spoken dialogue other than that of the narrator. It is essentially a narrated dream ballet, requiring skilled physical performers and a director with strong visual storytelling instincts.

An elder teaches a tribe how to live, how to share, and how to endure. But when a bold stranger brings a forbidden fruit into their midst, the harmony fractures, and one ape finds himself at the edge of a new beginning.

One-Act
10-15 min.

This is a story about a family's tragic journey, anchored by Bill and his relentless obsession with the moon. As Bill fervently pursues his dream of reaching the moon, his relationships with his wife, Mary, and their son, Paul, are tested to their limits. Tensions rise as Paul confronts his father's escalating obsession, leading to emotional revelations and profound realizations. This play delves into themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the consequences of unchecked obsession.

5-min.

In an art gallery of exorbitantly priced minimalist masterpieces, a skeptical visitor challenges the value of modern art.

10-min.

In the shadowy depths of an Italian catacomb, a vengeful nobleman enacts a chilling plan to entomb his unsuspecting rival under the guise of a convivial wine tasting. This adaptation preserves much of Poe's original language, attempting to maintain the chilling and poetic tone intended by the author.

5 min.

A couple's playful argument over party costumes reveals the quirks of their relationship and the fine line between love and rivalry.

10-Min.

A quiet cafe, a mysterious stranger, and a high-stakes game of chess.

A Comedy in Four Acts.
90-120 min.

In the Fall of 2020, when the matriarch of a prestigious vineyard unexpectedly dies during her chaotic birthday celebration, her dysfunctional family is thrust into a battle over her contested will. In this darkly comedic drama, buried secrets, shifting alliances, a loaded rifle, and an innocent lamb challenge the boundaries of loyalty, legacy, and what it truly means to be family.

5-Min.

How does one frog find true love on a lek full of competition? This is dumb. Read at your own risk.

10-15 min.

In the harsh glow of an emergency room waiting area, a middle-class man in pain and a wealthy socialite collide, exposing the brutal inequalities of a healthcare system where the cost of living may mean the price of survival.

10 Min.

A frightened child wakes from a nightmare and turns to their mother for comfort, only to reveal fears shaped by the world outside their bedroom window. To soothe the child, the mother tells a story about a town that once grew kinder and fairer over time, until a dark cloud arrived and made the people forget what they had been striving for. Through the courage of ordinary citizens who choose to remember and act together, the town begins to heal. The Dark Cloud is a bedtime story about fear, hope, and the responsibility of caring for one another when the future feels uncertain.

Full-length
120 minutes.

In a not-so-distant future, a powerful AI named Eros—born from a mysterious alien artifact known as The Scroll— guides humanity’s final, desperate attempt to avoid their own extinction as an asteroid hurtles toward their planet. Onboard the scout ship, four young crew members believe they are the children of Earth’s last astronauts. But as they travel toward Proxima Centauri, they begin to question their memories, their mission, and their very nature. Are they human… or something else, entirely?

Simultaneously, scenes from Earth’s past reveal Eros’s rise to power, the dismantling of religion, and the morally fraught choices that shaped this new world. As past and future converge, Eros explores identity, faith, memory, and the blurred lines between human and machine in an era ruled by synthetic logic.

10-min.

Sarah is managing her late father’s estate sale when her estranged brother Danny unexpectedly arrives after skipping the funeral. Among tables piled with relics of their childhood, old resentments and buried guilt rise to the surface. A nosy but compassionate neighbor and an unexpected buyer help Sarah confront what she’s truly ready to part with. The story is a tender, bittersweet reflection on family, grief, and the emotional cost of letting go.

10-min.

In a kingdom on the brink of revolt, a delusional ruler clings to power while protesters gather outside the castle walls. Seeking guidance, the King turns to an Advisor who urges him to listen to his people.

One-Act
60-90 min.

Set in 2008 with flashbacks to the Iraq War (2003-2004), "Fragments of War" follows Noah Hayes, a former soldier suffering from PTSD, as he attempts to adjust to life after the military. Through therapy, he is forced to relive and confront his most traumatic experiences, including a childhood of domestic strife, the sudden death of a squad leader, and a harrowing decision at a military checkpoint that forever changed him. His strained marriage with Becca is further complicated by unresolved grief over their lost child, and his friendship with Tyler Voss is tested as the two wrestle with the ghosts of their pasts. The play explores the psychological scars of war, the difficulty of reintegration, and the weight of moral injury, ultimately questioning whether true healing is even possible.

1 - 5 min.

Two friends test a cutting-edge virtual reality game that turns their living room into a digital battleground, forcing them to face simulated zombies in a comedic clash of technology and chaos.

10-min.

After enjoying their dinner at a futuristic restaurant staffed entirely by androids, a couple’s casual conversation turns into a spirited debate on the societal impacts of automation, exposing differing views on technology’s place in everyday life.

10-Min.

A man is introduced to adventure through a mysterious occurrence, rescuing a woman on the brink of exhaustion by being in the right place at the right time. An adaptation of the short story of the same title, by O. Henry.

5 - 10 min.

Two men in a bar engage in an absurd conversation that spirals into a moment of self-realization, leading one of them to take a life-changing leap of faith.

10-Min.

A cowboy leaves the woman he loves to forge his own path and prove he is a man. He learns that true love is inescapable. Adapted from the short story, Hearts and Crosses, by O'Henry.

10-min.

"In Times of Peace" explores the psychological aftermath of combat through the eyes of Noah Hayes, a soldier haunted by a day in Iraq that refuses to stay in the past. With subtlety, the play lays bare how the battlefield follows soldiers home, long after the last shot is fired.

10 min.

The plot centers on a pair of con artists as they embark on a money-making scheme involving a woman posing as an eligible bachelorette seeking a spouse. Based off the short story, The Exact Science of Matrimony, written by O. Henry.

5-min

A teenage boy and girl navigate the awkwardness of their first real date, complete with clumsy steps, contagious yawns, and a sweet kiss that makes for an unforgettable evening..

5-min. monologue

A short, ironic monologue.

10-min.

This is a satirical political play that frames a mock presidential debate between Jesus and Satan as candidates representing liberal and conservative viewpoints, respectively. Moderated by Faith Harper, the debate tackles various contemporary political issues such as economic policies, national security, crime, climate change, and healthcare. Jesus, embodying compassion, social justice, and altruism, advocates for policies centered around love, unity, and social welfare. On the opposite podium, Satan represents an unyielding capitalist mindset, advocating for self-interest, power, and pragmatism over idealism. Through this lens, the play offers sharp commentary on the polarizing political rhetoric of today’s society.

10-15 min.

This is a sharp political satire that reimagines a presidential debate between Jesus Christ and Satan, flipping conventional expectations by making Jesus the conservative capitalist and Satan the progressive liberal. Through witty dialogue and pointed critiques of political rhetoric, the play forces the audience to confront the manipulative nature of modern politics and the way figures of power justify their positions.

10-min.

This is a staged adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's short story of the same name.

The play centers on the themes of vanity, self-importance, and the absurd lengths to which people will go to achieve societal recognition. By focusing on the protagonist's obsession with his nose as a symbol of his genius, it satirizes the pretentiousness of intellectual and artistic elites. The humor arises from an exaggerated situation and the absurd reverence given to the seemingly trivial topic of "Nosology" (the study of noses).

This is a fast-paced play consisting of six players representing a total of 33 characters. The suggested character breakdowns may be changed to suit production capabilities. There is no set required. Four to six chairs will be moved about an empty stage to represent the different locations. A podium will be added during the President’s brief speech.

10 min.

A couple on a first date realize they’re both secretly being coached via earpieces by their respective best friends.

10-min.

A seemingly chance meeting between a man and a woman takes an unexpected turn.

10-min.

In a metaphysical dialogue between two reunited souls, reflections on the nature of life, death, and the collapse of human civilization reveal a poignant exploration of mortality and the afterlife.

This is an adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s original short story, "The Colloquy of Monos and Una." This adaptation seeks to preserve the core themes and essence of the original story, while modernizing the language for accessibility and engagement. While I have distilled the elevated prose to make it more approachable for a contemporary audience, I hope to honor the spirit and intensity of Poe’s original vision.

One-Act
10-20 min.

A contemporary comedy about a couple in their late twenties who decide to spice things up by venturing into a sex club. With equal parts curiosity and awkwardness, they dive into a night of surprises, jealousy, and love. As they navigate their way through new desires and unexpected conversations, they’ll discover if their relationship is ready to handle a whole new level of honesty.

10-min.

On a clear night at a secluded campground, Owen, an analytical amateur astronomer, invites Ivy on a carefully planned camping trip to watch a meteor shower. When a mutual friend’s mix-up reveals that Ivy is passionate about astrology rather than astronomy, the evening shifts from awkward misunderstanding to playful debate.

10 min.

A love-struck caveman seeks the help of an advanced AI to win over the woman of his dreams. This short comedic play is an allegory of humanity’s ever-growing dependence on technology and artificial intelligence.

One-Act
10-20 min.

This play is a collage of conversations amongst a group of twenty-somethings trying to make sense of themselves and the world around them. Through short, loosely connected scenes, they hash out ideas about gender identity, sexuality, art, drugs, race, and the absurdity of existence. Sometimes the talk is earnest, sometimes comedic, sometimes dark, but always circling around the same questions: Who am I? What do I believe? And how do I live in a society that feels increasingly absurd and broken?

10-Min.

This is simply a staged adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's epic poem, The Raven. The playwright has incorporated a little subtext and a hint of humor, through dialogue and specific stage directions. This play is only 5-10 minutes in length and can be performed by two actors of any gender. It requires minimal lighting/set design.

10 - 20 min.

Dionysus has arrived on Olympus to claim his rightful place among the Gods.

1 min.

I hereby challenge Samuel Beckett's "Breath" for the title of Shortest Play. The Oxford dictionary defines a play as a piece of writing performed by actors in a theatre or on television or radio. Beckett's play includes no actors and no dialogue, instead specifically requiring a recorded track of a scream to be played two times in its duration. No actors equals no play.

10-min.

This is a stage adaptation of O. Henry's "The Cop and the Anthem." It tells the story of Soapy, a charming yet down-on-his-luck vagrant, who is trying to get himself arrested to secure a warm bed for the winter on "the Island" (presumably a jail). Throughout the play, Soapy attempts various petty crimes, from vandalism to public disorder, hoping to be arrested. However, each attempt comically fails as the police either ignore him or mistake his behavior for something harmless. In a series of humorous misadventures, Soapy grows increasingly frustrated as even his worst behavior goes unnoticed by the authorities, leaving him contemplating his fall from a happier, more stable past.

10-min.

Bobby and his cousin-turned-beloved, Kate, wish to marry, but their future depends on the approval of Bobby’s miserly and contradictory uncle, Rumgudgeon. True to his nature, Rumgudgeon refuses simply for the sake of opposition. Knowing his tendency to stick to the literal meaning of his words, Bobby and Kate, with the help of their returning naval friends, Pratt and Smitherton, devise a way to trap him in his own logic. Through a comedic manipulation of time zones and travel, they prove that, in a roundabout way, three Sundays can exist in a row—forcing the old man to grant his permission.

This is a staged adaptation of "A Succession of Sundays," by Edgar Allen Poe. The story was originally written in 1841 and was published in the Philadelphia Saturday Evening Post on November 27, 1841, under the same title. It is also sometimes referred to as "Three Sundays in a Week."

10 min.

When a bumbling supervillain’s sinister death ray fails during a long-awaited showdown with a chained superhero, the resulting tech support call turns their battle of good versus evil into a comedy of errors.

Full Length
90-120 min.

"Thespis and Dionysus" follows the journey of Thespis, the founder of Greek tragedy, as he navigates his tumultuous relationship with the god of ritual madness, Dionysus. This play is a blend of comedy and tragedy that brings ancient Greek theatre to life with modern sensibilities. By interspersing mythological narratives within the personal journey of its protagonists, this play pays homage to the origins of theatre while pushing the boundaries of contemporary storytelling.

5 - 10 min.

A fast-paced play that delves into the ideas of time travel, political disillusionment, and the conflict between idealism and reality. The protagonist is a time-traveler who seeks to prevent the rise of a monstrous leader—a man akin to a well-known modern-day political figure. His encounter with an Agent from the Bureau of Temporal Regulation leads him to unexpected realizations about the limits of individual action and the complexities of democracy.

5-min.

In a dimly lit bar, Will drowns his sorrows in alcohol as his friend Sean tries to console him. Through their conversation and a steady flow of shots, it’s revealed that Will ended his relationship with a woman he deeply loved—not because she betrayed him, but because of his own insecurities about her having male friends. As Sean challenges Will’s perception of emotional fidelity, Will realizes the gravity of his mistake.

5-min

Quick-tempered, strong-willed, loyal, passionate, cousin of Juliet and nephew to lord Capulet. Tybalt is one of Shakespeare’s most notorious and memorable antagonists. Despite his popularity, he is allocated a mere seventeen lines of dialogue. It’s true, there are hundreds of Shakespearean characters with fewer lines than Tybalt, including nearly two hundred roles that have but one, yet few carry the same level of infamy. Hell, the messenger in Much Ado About Nothing has more speaking parts, yet his performance is eclipsed by the renown and adulation of Tybalt, himself. Now, it is my prodigious pleasure and resplendent delight to present, Tybalt!

At a city bus stop, a well-meaning but naive man, Ryan, strikes up a conversation with a grizzled veteran. Polite small talk quickly escalates into a tense confrontation over patriotism, duty, and the cost of war. Ryan’s idealistic notions of service and civic responsibility collide with the Veteran’s bitter reality.

10 - 15 min.

Brian Stewart has decided to quit his job in San Francisco and move back home to provide stability for his growing family. His boss, Ollie, shares stories of the city’s resilience and the determination of its people, hoping to persuade Brian to stay. Through their conversation, the play explores fear, responsibility, and what it means to stand your ground in an uncertain world.