Eli Campbell

Current MFA candidate in the Iowa Playwrights Workshop. Development through The Story Theatre, Chicago, Artemisia Theatre, Chicago, 20% Theatre, Chicago, among others. Participant in the New South Young Playwrights Festival, Atlanta. Former Literary Intern at Theatre Goodman, Chicago. BA in Theatre Arts and Spanish from the University of Iowa.

Current MFA candidate in the Iowa Playwrights Workshop. Development through The Story Theatre, Chicago, Artemisia Theatre, Chicago, 20% Theatre, Chicago, among others. Participant in the New South Young Playwrights Festival, Atlanta. Former Literary Intern at Theatre Goodman, Chicago. BA in Theatre Arts and Spanish from the University of Iowa.

Scripts

Salt Tongue

by Eli Campbell

Synopsis

On an island off the coast of Ireland in 1615, Fintan finds a young man washed up on the beach. With no memory of who he is or where he came from, Fintan brings Rossa home, where he slowly mends from the apparent shipwreck. But Rossa’s presence turns suspicious when Fintan’s daughter, Niamh, starts growing scales. The rain won’t stop. The ocean is angry. And something is not right with Rossa.

Salt Tongue is a...

On an island off the coast of Ireland in 1615, Fintan finds a young man washed up on the beach. With no memory of who he is or where he came from, Fintan brings Rossa home, where he slowly mends from the apparent shipwreck. But Rossa’s presence turns suspicious when Fintan’s daughter, Niamh, starts growing scales. The rain won’t stop. The ocean is angry. And something is not right with Rossa.

Salt Tongue is a horror play cut with dark comedy. It asks questions about identity, the body, and what defines a person.

Myocardium; Graphite

by Eli Campbell

Synopsis

At a community art center in downtown Iowa City, two young women enroll in a figure drawing class. KC, a young mother trying to overcome her fear of naked bodies, and Maya, a fiery college student on the hunt for meaning, are an unlikely team when dealing with their eccentric instructor, Jonie. As the three women survive art and each other, secrets about their pasts emerge.

At a community art center in downtown Iowa City, two young women enroll in a figure drawing class. KC, a young mother trying to overcome her fear of naked bodies, and Maya, a fiery college student on the hunt for meaning, are an unlikely team when dealing with their eccentric instructor, Jonie. As the three women survive art and each other, secrets about their pasts emerge.

In this Sepulcher, We Are Fed

by Eli Campbell

Synopsis

In 1790s Versailles, Sacha is the servant to a demanding Lord. When his sister and fellow servant, Flavie, swears there is a mysterious disease spreading through the estate, she begs Sacha to flee with her to Spain.

But as things grow stranger and more complicated between Sacha and his Lord, he must decide whether it's worth it to risk the unknown, or to labor in familiar comfort.

Sepulcher draws inspiration...

In 1790s Versailles, Sacha is the servant to a demanding Lord. When his sister and fellow servant, Flavie, swears there is a mysterious disease spreading through the estate, she begs Sacha to flee with her to Spain.

But as things grow stranger and more complicated between Sacha and his Lord, he must decide whether it's worth it to risk the unknown, or to labor in familiar comfort.

Sepulcher draws inspiration from Shakespeare and Moliere, while asking questions about desire, capitalism, and what we owe our family.

Forgottonia

by Eli Campbell

Synopsis

In 1987 rural Illinois, the inhabitants of a town politicians call "Forgottonia" are becoming desperate. The crops are failing, the government pulled their aid - what else is there to do but compete for a brand new prison to be built?

Satirical, absurd, and based on a true story, Forgottonia explores the American prison system and the ways it's failed even those on the outside.

In 1987 rural Illinois, the inhabitants of a town politicians call "Forgottonia" are becoming desperate. The crops are failing, the government pulled their aid - what else is there to do but compete for a brand new prison to be built?

Satirical, absurd, and based on a true story, Forgottonia explores the American prison system and the ways it's failed even those on the outside.

Nevers

by Eli Campbell

Synopsis

In a small Iowa tourist town, Finn shows up 3 years after her mysterious disappearance with no explanation and nowhere to live. Her old apartment has been converted into an artisanal cheese shop and her ex-girlfriend is seeing someone new.

Volleying between the present day, the 1800s French settlers who started the town, and a strange, collective dream that's haunting everyone, Nevers is surreal and desperate...

In a small Iowa tourist town, Finn shows up 3 years after her mysterious disappearance with no explanation and nowhere to live. Her old apartment has been converted into an artisanal cheese shop and her ex-girlfriend is seeing someone new.

Volleying between the present day, the 1800s French settlers who started the town, and a strange, collective dream that's haunting everyone, Nevers is surreal and desperate.

It asks what love is for and how any of us can survive it.

Pleasure Play

by Eli Campbell

Synopsis

Maeve is expecting to have sex, not see their mother.

​After ten years, Abby walks through the door of the hotel room where Maeve is prepping for a client, breaking their estrangement and asking Maeve for a second chance.

​Meanwhile, Maeve's partner Gracie isn't sold on the idea of Abby returning to their lives.

​Also, there are aliens screaming in the attic!

​Pleasure Play is an expressionist hellscape...

Maeve is expecting to have sex, not see their mother.

​After ten years, Abby walks through the door of the hotel room where Maeve is prepping for a client, breaking their estrangement and asking Maeve for a second chance.

​Meanwhile, Maeve's partner Gracie isn't sold on the idea of Abby returning to their lives.

​Also, there are aliens screaming in the attic!

​Pleasure Play is an expressionist hellscape about codependence, shutting the world out, and being entirely seen.

Nest

by Eli Campbell

Synopsis

Anne lives with her 33-year-old son Pierce in an architectural masterpiece - a home built into the side of a California mountain, secluded from the nearest town.

When C-list celebrity Trinity Isabella bustles in with an offer they can't refuse, Anne and Pierce must uproot their quiet lives in order to host a new reality TV show.

Nest is about trying to do right by people, getting it wrong, and marionettes....

Anne lives with her 33-year-old son Pierce in an architectural masterpiece - a home built into the side of a California mountain, secluded from the nearest town.

When C-list celebrity Trinity Isabella bustles in with an offer they can't refuse, Anne and Pierce must uproot their quiet lives in order to host a new reality TV show.

Nest is about trying to do right by people, getting it wrong, and marionettes.