CJ Willette

CJ Willette (She/Her) is a Chicago-based playwright whose work centers around the intertwining of black experiences through concepts of dystopia, whimsy, and grandeur. CJ holds a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Playwriting from The Theatre School at DePaul University. Her play May 32nd was a semifinalist for the 2024 Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference. Her play Balderdash is a semifinalist for the 2025 Freshly Brewed Series at The Understudy. She served as an Artistic Intern for the 2025 Ojai Playwrights Conference. She was selected as a reading committee member for the 2026 Ojai Playwrights Conference. She is a member of the 2023 Cody Renard Richard Cohort and an alumni of the Broadway Coalition Advocacy. She serves as a Development Director for Do Process Theatre. For more...

CJ Willette (She/Her) is a Chicago-based playwright whose work centers around the intertwining of black experiences through concepts of dystopia, whimsy, and grandeur. CJ holds a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Playwriting from The Theatre School at DePaul University. Her play May 32nd was a semifinalist for the 2024 Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference. Her play Balderdash is a semifinalist for the 2025 Freshly Brewed Series at The Understudy. She served as an Artistic Intern for the 2025 Ojai Playwrights Conference. She was selected as a reading committee member for the 2026 Ojai Playwrights Conference. She is a member of the 2023 Cody Renard Richard Cohort and an alumni of the Broadway Coalition Advocacy. She serves as a Development Director for Do Process Theatre. For more information about her work, please visit www.cj-willette.com.

Scripts

Balderdash

by CJ Willette

Synopsis

On a dystopian Earth where pollution has gained sentience, a concrete city named Metroplia rises under the rule of synthetic beings. Pistol, the heir to this urban empire, faces a growing threat when her father brings in Loofah, a mysterious newcomer with radical ideas. Tension erupts as foliage appears throughout the concrete utopia. Pistol, Loofah, and their coworker Chane must put their heads together to...

On a dystopian Earth where pollution has gained sentience, a concrete city named Metroplia rises under the rule of synthetic beings. Pistol, the heir to this urban empire, faces a growing threat when her father brings in Loofah, a mysterious newcomer with radical ideas. Tension erupts as foliage appears throughout the concrete utopia. Pistol, Loofah, and their coworker Chane must put their heads together to solve this environmental mystery. As their worlds collide, the battle for the city’s future sparks a connection neither of them expected. What’s considered fair when the concept of love infiltrates war?

May 32nd: The Sand Vatican & Blazers

by CJ Willette

Synopsis

The Sand Vatican
Ricky Evanson is a kindergartener experiencing the worst day of his life for the first time. His emotionally vacant father is Jay Evanson, co-founder and CEO of sand conglomerate Dust Bowl Incorporated. After embarrassing himself on a class field trip, he becomes obsessed with restructuring time. Worsening the matter, a recording of this incident is being used as promotional material online...

The Sand Vatican
Ricky Evanson is a kindergartener experiencing the worst day of his life for the first time. His emotionally vacant father is Jay Evanson, co-founder and CEO of sand conglomerate Dust Bowl Incorporated. After embarrassing himself on a class field trip, he becomes obsessed with restructuring time. Worsening the matter, a recording of this incident is being used as promotional material online, forever. Through his zeal for revenge on Dustbowl Incorporated, Ricky falls through a pit of sand and unearths his powers as the Son of the Sandman. Under his newfound Godfather Monroe’s supervision, Rick creates a new day: May 32nd.

Blazers
Ricky Evanson is a kindergartener experiencing the worst day of his life for the first time. His favorite teacher Nell is moving away, his parents are getting a divorce, and he puked on his birthday. Terrified of the future and embarrassed from the past, Rick rewinds time. After the warp, Nell's own insecurities manifest incase her in a false reality only she has the power to escape.

Runner's Digest

by CJ Willette

Synopsis

The Anatreme Twins could not be anymore at odds. George is bent on becoming the ultimate alpha male. Aaron is bent on being normal. George is committed to a meat-eating disorder. Aaron is committed to forming healthy relationships, including the one with his brother. Through a shared love for exercise and the release of a family secret, true meaning of brotherhood unveils itself. Will the answers drive them...

The Anatreme Twins could not be anymore at odds. George is bent on becoming the ultimate alpha male. Aaron is bent on being normal. George is committed to a meat-eating disorder. Aaron is committed to forming healthy relationships, including the one with his brother. Through a shared love for exercise and the release of a family secret, true meaning of brotherhood unveils itself. Will the answers drive them apart?

Live, Laugh, Loser

by CJ Willette

Synopsis

Newly established psychiatrist Patricia has her hands full with three young woman experiencing their first triste with adult relationships. This introspective fearing-of-age tale comes to a fever pitch when Patricia is suddenly faced with the stanch realization that she has no answers either.

Newly established psychiatrist Patricia has her hands full with three young woman experiencing their first triste with adult relationships. This introspective fearing-of-age tale comes to a fever pitch when Patricia is suddenly faced with the stanch realization that she has no answers either.