Jeffrey James Keyes

Jeffrey James Keyes co-authored New York Times Best Seller Killer Chef with James Patterson. He is a graduate of Columbia University's MFA Playwriting Program. Theater credits include: The End of Days (SoHo Playhouse/New York International Fringe Festival), Southies (Samuel French OOB Festival), The Biltmore Academy (Chicago's Prologue Theatre Company), Imaginary Friends (Samuel French OOB Festival & Prologue Theatre Company), I'm From Driftwood (Project Y/Access Theater), Immortal: The Gilgamesh Variations (Bushwick Starr), Dance Dance Arden (3LD), Cell Beget Cell (Old Vic Theater, London), Room 407 (59E59), Josh Groban Fanclub (Ensemble Studio Theatre), Into the Shallow End (Ensemble Studio Theatre), Moonshine on the Rocks (78th Street Theater Project), and Williamsburg (Manhattan Rep)...

Jeffrey James Keyes co-authored New York Times Best Seller Killer Chef with James Patterson. He is a graduate of Columbia University's MFA Playwriting Program. Theater credits include: The End of Days (SoHo Playhouse/New York International Fringe Festival), Southies (Samuel French OOB Festival), The Biltmore Academy (Chicago's Prologue Theatre Company), Imaginary Friends (Samuel French OOB Festival & Prologue Theatre Company), I'm From Driftwood (Project Y/Access Theater), Immortal: The Gilgamesh Variations (Bushwick Starr), Dance Dance Arden (3LD), Cell Beget Cell (Old Vic Theater, London), Room 407 (59E59), Josh Groban Fanclub (Ensemble Studio Theatre), Into the Shallow End (Ensemble Studio Theatre), Moonshine on the Rocks (78th Street Theater Project), and Williamsburg (Manhattan Rep). He was the story producer on the travel series Out in GayCities with Lexus and additionally worked as a producer on the Sundance series, "Revealing", featuring Joe Zee and MTV's "True Life".

His short films 181 and Uniform have been featured in over thirty festivals and he recently won the 2019 Artists' Patron Fund's Gold Award for Cream City, a television pilot he is co-writing with Matt W. Cody. He is additionally the scriptwriter for "Digital Arrest", a virtual reality project that won the top award at the 2019 NYC Media Lab. In 2020 he was awarded the inaugural PEN America L'Engle/Rahman Prize for Mentorship.

Jeffrey is currently adapting his collection of ghost story plays for audio fiction through the new DRAMA podcast with AKS Immersive. The first season underway, with episodes released biweekly. Check out https://www.drama-pod.com/ for more information and links to listen for free.

Scripts

Crossing

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

Instead of taking a cab across the park, Marigold decides to take a shortcut through Central Park. Everyone always says to keep out of the park after hours. Will she make it across the park and safely home?

Instead of taking a cab across the park, Marigold decides to take a shortcut through Central Park. Everyone always says to keep out of the park after hours. Will she make it across the park and safely home?

Southies

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

At the end of a late-night dinner party, Austin and Sean reminisce about eerie encounters in their formerly haunted home…or so they thought.

At the end of a late-night dinner party, Austin and Sean reminisce about eerie encounters in their formerly haunted home…or so they thought.

The Holiday Play

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

Crafts. Storytelling. Healing. Come join Orange and Clove for an unexpected holiday experience. Go back to the basics and gather with us as we roll up our sleeves and embark on some good old fashion holiday crafting exercises. We’ll swap stories, unpack the holidays, and go back to the basics while working together to not only craft, but discover some hope and a bit of magic for the holiday season.

Crafts. Storytelling. Healing. Come join Orange and Clove for an unexpected holiday experience. Go back to the basics and gather with us as we roll up our sleeves and embark on some good old fashion holiday crafting exercises. We’ll swap stories, unpack the holidays, and go back to the basics while working together to not only craft, but discover some hope and a bit of magic for the holiday season.

Homecoming

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

When a queer prodigal son returns home after his parents have passed he comes face to face with what was, what wasn't, and what could have been.

When a queer prodigal son returns home after his parents have passed he comes face to face with what was, what wasn't, and what could have been.

Aftermath

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

Two couples come together 602 days after losing their teenagers in a school shooting.

Two couples come together 602 days after losing their teenagers in a school shooting.

The End of Days

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

The End of Days is the story of Nina and Kitt; two estranged lovers reunited on December 21st, 2012, the end of the Mayan Calendar. Kitt shows up at Nina’s doorstep hoping to find the “same old Nina” he met when they were back in college. Will this night be the End of Days or the beginning of their new life together?

The End of Days is the story of Nina and Kitt; two estranged lovers reunited on December 21st, 2012, the end of the Mayan Calendar. Kitt shows up at Nina’s doorstep hoping to find the “same old Nina” he met when they were back in college. Will this night be the End of Days or the beginning of their new life together?

I don't drive

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

Jeremy shares the lie about why he doesn't have his driver's license yet.

Jeremy shares the lie about why he doesn't have his driver's license yet.

Reconciliation

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

A pair of former lovers are reunited in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic

A pair of former lovers are reunited in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic

The Runner

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

Who knew going for a run could turn into a nightmare?

Who knew going for a run could turn into a nightmare?

Kiki

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

When two friends run into each other on the late-night subway a secret comes out.

When two friends run into each other on the late-night subway a secret comes out.

Safe Word

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

Nelson shares the story of how he got into kink for the first time.

Nelson shares the story of how he got into kink for the first time.

Pizza Face, a monologue

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

Ryan retells the story about when he almost didn't make it out of the forest.

Ryan retells the story about when he almost didn't make it out of the forest.

What If, a monologue

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

It's 2019 into 2020 and when the clock strikes twelve a new romance blossoms.

It's 2019 into 2020 and when the clock strikes twelve a new romance blossoms.

Hedda Gabler

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

A close adaptation of the Ibsen classic. Hedda is trapped in a life (and marriage) she doesn't want.

A close adaptation of the Ibsen classic. Hedda is trapped in a life (and marriage) she doesn't want.

Uniforms

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

When Susan is called into to her son’s school for an infraction of the rules, and a heated discussion of education, ethics, and modern day parenting ensues.

When Susan is called into to her son’s school for an infraction of the rules, and a heated discussion of education, ethics, and modern day parenting ensues.

Graveyard Shift

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

Tony's working the late shift under the George Washington Bridge when he experiences a brush with the supernatural.

Tony's working the late shift under the George Washington Bridge when he experiences a brush with the supernatural.

Up There, a monologue

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

Robbie didn't know about the abductions before he moved to the Berkshires. Tonight's the night it happens to him.

Robbie didn't know about the abductions before he moved to the Berkshires. Tonight's the night it happens to him.

Framed

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

On the first night of a business trip Mara discovers an infant in her hotel room.

On the first night of a business trip Mara discovers an infant in her hotel room.

Beverly

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

Beverly's just trying to leave the theater, she doesn't understand why everyone keeps clapping.

Beverly's just trying to leave the theater, she doesn't understand why everyone keeps clapping.

Questions

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

Katie and Steve try out a new app called Questions and get a little too personal.

Katie and Steve try out a new app called Questions and get a little too personal.

Imaginary Friends

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

Imaginary Friends is a short haunting in which Sasca, Leslie, and Alice have an intimate discussion about the hauntings of their childhood.

Imaginary Friends is a short haunting in which Sasca, Leslie, and Alice have an intimate discussion about the hauntings of their childhood.

Isle Royale

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

Twin brothers Nick and Alex, joined by high school friends Ken and Josh set out on a backpacking trip on Isle Royale, a tiny and remote island just off the Eastern coast of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It’s the summer after their senior year of high school and the last opportunity the boys will have together before going to college and work. Once they arrive on the island, the boys connect and kick off what...

Twin brothers Nick and Alex, joined by high school friends Ken and Josh set out on a backpacking trip on Isle Royale, a tiny and remote island just off the Eastern coast of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It’s the summer after their senior year of high school and the last opportunity the boys will have together before going to college and work. Once they arrive on the island, the boys connect and kick off what could potentially be their best expedition to the island. From the moment they set foot on Isle Royale, the mysterious apparition of a young Ojibwe Indian girl stalks and follows them through forests and past ancient copper mines. In a violent and explosive evening, the truth about two of the boys comes out and the brothers which leads to arguments, fistfights, and broken hearts. In the middle of the island the twins break out into a fight where both lose their footing and collapse through an abandoned mine shaft. Only one makes it out alive. In Isle Royale, the wilderness has no rules.

When They Sleep, a monologue

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

Marnie (could also be Marty for a male-presenting actor) shares an intimate story about an encounter with a ghost late at night.

Marnie (could also be Marty for a male-presenting actor) shares an intimate story about an encounter with a ghost late at night.

Blue Into Black

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

Blue into Black is inspired by the story of Tyler Clementi, a college student and victim of online bullying who committed suicide at the age of 18 on September 22, 2010. In this short play young Timothy meets a strange man in the middle of the George Washington Bridge.

Blue into Black is inspired by the story of Tyler Clementi, a college student and victim of online bullying who committed suicide at the age of 18 on September 22, 2010. In this short play young Timothy meets a strange man in the middle of the George Washington Bridge.

Stanley Hotel

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

Sofia and Devan are amateur ghost hunters in their late 20s/early 30s spending their vacation at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. Instead of finding a ghost, the pair reconnects and finds each other.

Sofia and Devan are amateur ghost hunters in their late 20s/early 30s spending their vacation at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. Instead of finding a ghost, the pair reconnects and finds each other.

TENDER

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

Two lovers want to figure out where they went wrong. By going back and tracking their relationship Clara and Robert realize the truth and gin-soaked lies that have pushed them apart.

Two lovers want to figure out where they went wrong. By going back and tracking their relationship Clara and Robert realize the truth and gin-soaked lies that have pushed them apart.

Christmas, a monologue

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

Eric copes with losing his partner to COVID-19

Eric copes with losing his partner to COVID-19

Day of Reversal

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

Evan challenges his father's politics.

Evan challenges his father's politics.

The Bastards of Treasure Island

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

The Bastards of Treasure Island is about two Americans who attend a "work conference" in a fictional Caribbean island, a place where everything goes wrong.

The Bastards of Treasure Island is about two Americans who attend a "work conference" in a fictional Caribbean island, a place where everything goes wrong.

Surprise

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

A short surprise

A short surprise

Happy Birthday Leroy, or When (the Photographer) Winks at Me

by Jeffrey James Keyes

Synopsis

A one-minute play in which Gladys stops a photographer who looks like her late son in the NYC gay pride parade.

A one-minute play in which Gladys stops a photographer who looks like her late son in the NYC gay pride parade.