Darrin Friedman

Darrin J. Friedman is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter. He explores the complexities of the human experience in new and relevant ways. From following protagonists on their quest for elusive answers to navigating the struggles of flawed characters seeking truth, he is dedicated to shaping stories that inspire.

Darrin is a Woodward / Newman Award Finalist for his play “The Butterfly Anchor,” and his short film "A Mother's Love," which he not only wrote but directed, has been repeatedly recognized for its screenplay in film festivals and competitions alike. He received his MFA in writing for stage and screen from Point Park University in 2023.

Darrin J. Friedman is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter. He explores the complexities of the human experience in new and relevant ways. From following protagonists on their quest for elusive answers to navigating the struggles of flawed characters seeking truth, he is dedicated to shaping stories that inspire.

Darrin is a Woodward / Newman Award Finalist for his play “The Butterfly Anchor,” and his short film "A Mother's Love," which he not only wrote but directed, has been repeatedly recognized for its screenplay in film festivals and competitions alike. He received his MFA in writing for stage and screen from Point Park University in 2023.

Scripts

The Butterfly Anchor

by Darrin Friedman

Synopsis

FULL-LENGTH PLAY: A former Olympic swimmer, who once basked in the glory of gold medals, is diagnosed with ALS. Overwhelmed by the frightening prospect of losing his independence, he hesitantly hires an unconventional, spirited young woman to be his full-time caregiver. As their unexpected bond deepens, they realize that both have endured traumatic experiences at the hands of family members and others...

FULL-LENGTH PLAY: A former Olympic swimmer, who once basked in the glory of gold medals, is diagnosed with ALS. Overwhelmed by the frightening prospect of losing his independence, he hesitantly hires an unconventional, spirited young woman to be his full-time caregiver. As their unexpected bond deepens, they realize that both have endured traumatic experiences at the hands of family members and others, preventing them from moving on. Confronted with life-changing choices and an uncontrollable timeline, can these unlikely companions find solace in confronting their painful pasts while embracing the present and future in the limited time they have left?

AWARDS:
Woodward / Newman Finalist 2024
The Colony Theatre, Scripts and Sips Finalist 2024
Epiphanies New Works Festival, Short List Honorable Mention 2024

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Three Blind Mice

by Darrin Friedman

Synopsis

FULL-LENGTH PLAY: Brought together by the loss of a mutual high school classmate, three middle-aged men meet after decades and forge an unlikely connection. Seth, a quiet, kind-hearted Jewish novelist, is navigating seismic shifts in his family relationships and a disappointing string of flops following his bestselling debut novel. Javi, an easygoing Latino financial whiz turned stay-at-home-dad, seems to be...

FULL-LENGTH PLAY: Brought together by the loss of a mutual high school classmate, three middle-aged men meet after decades and forge an unlikely connection. Seth, a quiet, kind-hearted Jewish novelist, is navigating seismic shifts in his family relationships and a disappointing string of flops following his bestselling debut novel. Javi, an easygoing Latino financial whiz turned stay-at-home-dad, seems to be wrestling with more feelings than he lets on beneath his wisecracking exterior. And William, a brilliant Black attorney on the cusp of a big career move, appears to have it all together … but appearances have misled him before. What begins as casual get-togethers for drinks or a game of basketball soon evolves into a legit friendship, as William, Seth, and Javi discover the unexpected solace that comes from sharing their stories — and their feelings — in ways most modern men aren’t taught to do. Their fledgling bond perseveres through adversity, and each mouse find the strength to face his own blind spots and navigate his midlife transitions with grace, thanks to the wisdom, humor, and unwavering support of his new old friends.

CALL THE DRAMA BOOK SHOP in New York for your printed copy: (212) 944-0595

Park Benches

by Darrin Friedman

Synopsis

SHORT-PLAY (10 pages): A man struggling with the decision to let his comatose wife go sits on a park bench when a serene woman approaches and engages him in conversation. Through their talk, she discusses things she could not possibly know. But know, she does. In so doing, she helps him reflect on his love for his wife and the pain of holding on. Will he be able to let go and listen to this stranger about a...

SHORT-PLAY (10 pages): A man struggling with the decision to let his comatose wife go sits on a park bench when a serene woman approaches and engages him in conversation. Through their talk, she discusses things she could not possibly know. But know, she does. In so doing, she helps him reflect on his love for his wife and the pain of holding on. Will he be able to let go and listen to this stranger about a possible new future with a chance for closure, or will he be stuck in the agony of the present?

Locally Sourced Municipal Frogs

by Darrin Friedman

Synopsis

SHORT-PLAY (10 pages): In Winnebago County, Wisconsin, a farmer licks a frog. Things go wrong soon after.

SHORT-PLAY (10 pages): In Winnebago County, Wisconsin, a farmer licks a frog. Things go wrong soon after.

Earl from Greenville

by Darrin Friedman

Synopsis

ONE-ACT PLAY: A middle-aged white man from a southern town is set in his ways until he is confronted with the reality that the world around him is changing. People, places, and things that once felt familiar are now anything but, and it is challenging him to his limits. Can he adapt, or will his prejudice and old habits hold him back?

ONE-ACT PLAY: A middle-aged white man from a southern town is set in his ways until he is confronted with the reality that the world around him is changing. People, places, and things that once felt familiar are now anything but, and it is challenging him to his limits. Can he adapt, or will his prejudice and old habits hold him back?

Target after lunch, and other judgments on the state of man (A monologue for men)

by Darrin Friedman

Synopsis

A Monologue: An everyman talks about his special needs son and what he has given up to care for him.

A Monologue: An everyman talks about his special needs son and what he has given up to care for him.

Mr. Darcy, I'm waiting (A monologue for women)

by Darrin Friedman

Synopsis

A Monologue: A woman confronts life after divorce and the insanity of what happens next.

A Monologue: A woman confronts life after divorce and the insanity of what happens next.

Phones

by Darrin Friedman

Synopsis

SHORT PLAY (10 pages): When a man down in the dumps sits on his park bench brooding about his miserable life, he is approached by a stranger with a proposition that promises to change everything.

SHORT PLAY (10 pages): When a man down in the dumps sits on his park bench brooding about his miserable life, he is approached by a stranger with a proposition that promises to change everything.

CATS and Commonalities

by Darrin Friedman

Synopsis

SHORT PLAY (10 pages): On a blind date, two people brought together by friends try and find commonality where there is none. Until ...

SHORT PLAY (10 pages): On a blind date, two people brought together by friends try and find commonality where there is none. Until ...