Damon Norko

In the 1980s, I sold a few thousand poetry chapbooks, and two novels, Alias Art Mann (1985) and The Glue Story (1990), published by the iconic beat publisher, Cherry Valley Editions. Many people remember me stumping around the MD-DC area with a "Poems for Sale" sign on my back. I split my time between poetry and song-writing for my punk rock band, The Submensas. The band has recently reformed and is currently performing gigs in the Baltimore-Washington area. Life took hold of me for about a decade; I opened a chess store in downtown Baltimore and didn't write much until the early 2000s. However, I returned to writing with a vengeance and quickly published 5 short stories and three novels, The Ghost Writer, The Ghost Cop and The Levee. Writing led me to become an English teacher, and...

In the 1980s, I sold a few thousand poetry chapbooks, and two novels, Alias Art Mann (1985) and The Glue Story (1990), published by the iconic beat publisher, Cherry Valley Editions. Many people remember me stumping around the MD-DC area with a "Poems for Sale" sign on my back. I split my time between poetry and song-writing for my punk rock band, The Submensas. The band has recently reformed and is currently performing gigs in the Baltimore-Washington area. Life took hold of me for about a decade; I opened a chess store in downtown Baltimore and didn't write much until the early 2000s. However, I returned to writing with a vengeance and quickly published 5 short stories and three novels, The Ghost Writer, The Ghost Cop and The Levee. Writing led me to become an English teacher, and becoming an English teacher led me into the world of drama, as I became the theater director for my high school. In this capacity, I produced 14 productions (7 musicals and 7 plays) before stepping down to pursue my own works. I have since staged five of my own plays and am slated for a two-week run of my sixth full-length play called 1980 at Baltimore Theatre Project in June 2020.

Scripts

Rocks on the Lawn

by Damon Norko

Synopsis

A college professor wrestles with obsolescence until he stumbles upon a fresh outlook on life, which he tries to impart to an ungrateful world.

A college professor wrestles with obsolescence until he stumbles upon a fresh outlook on life, which he tries to impart to an ungrateful world.

Properties!

by Damon Norko

Synopsis

The Drunken Donkey, a local drinking establishment in Baltimore, struggles with being tagged a a ‘Democrat bar,’ during the election of 2016. The election brings a new owner and a change of name as the bar becomes "The Elevated Elephant." However, bar proprietorship is not new owner Neal Armistead's strong suit, as a series of misjudgments and miscues lead to another unexpected change.

The Drunken Donkey, a local drinking establishment in Baltimore, struggles with being tagged a a ‘Democrat bar,’ during the election of 2016. The election brings a new owner and a change of name as the bar becomes "The Elevated Elephant." However, bar proprietorship is not new owner Neal Armistead's strong suit, as a series of misjudgments and miscues lead to another unexpected change.

1980

by Damon Norko

Synopsis

1980 is set in a college radio station. A DJ dominates the music scene. A punk rocker joins the station and discovers corruption and hypocrisy. At first, it seems like a clash of cultures as rock vies with punk for the airwaves — It was the heyday of punk and new wave. But then personalities and the gap between dreams and reality cause an upheaval in the station.

Meanwhile, a mysterious caller purports to set...

1980 is set in a college radio station. A DJ dominates the music scene. A punk rocker joins the station and discovers corruption and hypocrisy. At first, it seems like a clash of cultures as rock vies with punk for the airwaves — It was the heyday of punk and new wave. But then personalities and the gap between dreams and reality cause an upheaval in the station.

Meanwhile, a mysterious caller purports to set up an interview with John Lennon. The finale of the play deals with a pivotal moment in American history (spoiler alert – John Lennon’s assassination).

1980 also depicts the “last hurrah” of the world of vinyl records – vinyl records will “stack up” on stage by the end of the play.

My Brother, the God Particle

by Damon Norko

Synopsis

Rickey Denson is a "slacker" who has trouble living up to his brother's reputation as a great scientist. When the brother goes missing, Rickey must overcome problems of motivation and responsibility while at the same time putting his video game skills to the test. As Ricky and his best friend (and lab partner) Maddie McGee work to solve the mysterious disappearance of Robert Densen, they uncover a scientific...

Rickey Denson is a "slacker" who has trouble living up to his brother's reputation as a great scientist. When the brother goes missing, Rickey must overcome problems of motivation and responsibility while at the same time putting his video game skills to the test. As Ricky and his best friend (and lab partner) Maddie McGee work to solve the mysterious disappearance of Robert Densen, they uncover a scientific mystery along the way, and almost get vaporized.

My Brother, the God Particle is a fun, fast-paced comedy-adventure play with an important message for teens about goals and motivation. With a balanced cast and video-game allusions, MBTGP is perfect for school, community or family theater.

Free at Last (?)

by Damon Norko

Synopsis

A mixed marriage and class warfare come to a head in this light yet-provocative one-act play about the compromises we make and the notion of being truly free. What would YOU do if you came across a set of antique slave shackles?

A mixed marriage and class warfare come to a head in this light yet-provocative one-act play about the compromises we make and the notion of being truly free. What would YOU do if you came across a set of antique slave shackles?

Foodies!

by Damon Norko

Synopsis

This play explores food – where does it come from and what do we“really” experience when we eat? Meet a young man who has designed a way to enhance that experience, taking us all the way back to the food source.

Delicious food descriptions mask a terrible secret.

This play explores food – where does it come from and what do we“really” experience when we eat? Meet a young man who has designed a way to enhance that experience, taking us all the way back to the food source.

Delicious food descriptions mask a terrible secret.

Newbies!

by Damon Norko

Synopsis

When Karl, a teenager with autism, becomes hooked on new computer game, his parents fear the worst. But they do see some positives as well, and so go along for the ride, which turns out to be all the way to New York City for a very special gathering.

When Karl, a teenager with autism, becomes hooked on new computer game, his parents fear the worst. But they do see some positives as well, and so go along for the ride, which turns out to be all the way to New York City for a very special gathering.

Memories!

by Damon Norko

Synopsis

What are memories? Where do they go when they are lost? Who will find them?

At the end of time, a memory is found which triggers an exploration of two lives that intertwined a long time ago.

With almost no set and little staging, the two characters sit in darkness for most of the play. The surprise ending is the only time when the characters emerge from the shadows. There is ample opportunity for light &...

What are memories? Where do they go when they are lost? Who will find them?

At the end of time, a memory is found which triggers an exploration of two lives that intertwined a long time ago.

With almost no set and little staging, the two characters sit in darkness for most of the play. The surprise ending is the only time when the characters emerge from the shadows. There is ample opportunity for light & sound enhancement -- but the play can be literally staged in the dark.

Bodies!

by Damon Norko

Synopsis

Bodies! is a 'murder' mystery which explores the physical aspect of relationships as seen from the standpoint of the richest couple in the world. Calvin Cormorant is the head of BIO-TECH Industries, which is at the edge of scientific exploration. His wife Marta has interrupted the latest of his experimental body transferrals, leading to unexpected consequences. Has she committed murder? Or, was it something...

Bodies! is a 'murder' mystery which explores the physical aspect of relationships as seen from the standpoint of the richest couple in the world. Calvin Cormorant is the head of BIO-TECH Industries, which is at the edge of scientific exploration. His wife Marta has interrupted the latest of his experimental body transferrals, leading to unexpected consequences. Has she committed murder? Or, was it something else?

Waiting for Vapo

by Damon Norko

Synopsis

Two bored vapers await the arrival of Vapo, the man who has the greatest flavor ever made. Waiting for Vapo is a short radio play that spoofs the modern scourge of vaping, and the classic Waiting for Godot.

Two bored vapers await the arrival of Vapo, the man who has the greatest flavor ever made. Waiting for Vapo is a short radio play that spoofs the modern scourge of vaping, and the classic Waiting for Godot.

Rubber Chicken

by Damon Norko

Synopsis

A ‘recipe for disaster’ absurdist one-act that cobbles together Ayn Rand-isms, stand-up comedy, ventriloquism and family drama.

A ‘recipe for disaster’ absurdist one-act that cobbles together Ayn Rand-isms, stand-up comedy, ventriloquism and family drama.

21

by Damon Norko

Synopsis

A disturbing dream haunts a man until he finds that his reality may not be what he thinks.

A disturbing dream haunts a man until he finds that his reality may not be what he thinks.