Richie Altmanshofer

Richie Altmanshofer strives to tell stories that entertain and inspire self-reflection.

His full-length plays include Gay Husbands (winner, The Oliver Kelly Playwriting Award ‘26; OUT/PLAY developmental table read, ‘25) and A Comet Hangs Over Iowa (semi-finalist, Theatre503 International Playwriting Award ‘25; semi-finalist, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Words Cubed ‘25).

Richie’s short plays include Totally Transparent (OUT/PLAY Summer Shorts Festival ‘26), Date Debate (Village Playwrights Love is Queer Festival ‘26; OUT/PLAY Summer Shorts Festival ‘25), True Colors (Studio Players 12th Annual 10-Minute Play Festival ‘25; The Roving Peregrine Theatre Company Coming Out Day Play Readings ‘25), An Ending, A Beginning (South Street Players Tri-State Theatre Festival ‘25), A Wandering Life...

Richie Altmanshofer strives to tell stories that entertain and inspire self-reflection.

His full-length plays include Gay Husbands (winner, The Oliver Kelly Playwriting Award ‘26; OUT/PLAY developmental table read, ‘25) and A Comet Hangs Over Iowa (semi-finalist, Theatre503 International Playwriting Award ‘25; semi-finalist, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Words Cubed ‘25).

Richie’s short plays include Totally Transparent (OUT/PLAY Summer Shorts Festival ‘26), Date Debate (Village Playwrights Love is Queer Festival ‘26; OUT/PLAY Summer Shorts Festival ‘25), True Colors (Studio Players 12th Annual 10-Minute Play Festival ‘25; The Roving Peregrine Theatre Company Coming Out Day Play Readings ‘25), An Ending, A Beginning (South Street Players Tri-State Theatre Festival ‘25), A Wandering Life (Players Theatre Short Play Festival ’24), and A Gift for the Unknown (FRIGID Holiday Spirits Readings ‘24; Spartan Theatre Haunting Holidays Play Festival ‘24).

You can connect with Richie on Instagram @altmanshofer or at playsbyrichie.com.

Scripts

Totally Transparent

by Richie Altmanshofer

Synopsis

Jacob and Kyle had a one night stand about a year ago. Now, Jacob is interviewing Kyle for a job. Awkward. But not as awkward as the fact that Jacob doesn’t remember Kyle, and Kyle thinks the reason he got this interview is because Jacob remembers him. (Eek!) Professionalism is tested as emotions about that night bubble to the surface and spiral out of control. Totally Transparent is a comedic look at what can...

Jacob and Kyle had a one night stand about a year ago. Now, Jacob is interviewing Kyle for a job. Awkward. But not as awkward as the fact that Jacob doesn’t remember Kyle, and Kyle thinks the reason he got this interview is because Jacob remembers him. (Eek!) Professionalism is tested as emotions about that night bubble to the surface and spiral out of control. Totally Transparent is a comedic look at what can happen when two people have very different ideas about what a hookup meant, and the potential complications of navigating dating in the era of open relationships.

Gay Husbands

by Richie Altmanshofer

Synopsis

Kevin and Jimmy have been married for just over a year. Their life is pretty perfect, just check out their Instagram…no problems here! In fact, Kevin’s carefully curated couples content is all totally real and definitely not performative. Between posting, day jobs, the gym, and Jimmy’s auditions, they spend time with their married friends, David and Benji, whose 25 year age gap is starting to cause issues…but...

Kevin and Jimmy have been married for just over a year. Their life is pretty perfect, just check out their Instagram…no problems here! In fact, Kevin’s carefully curated couples content is all totally real and definitely not performative. Between posting, day jobs, the gym, and Jimmy’s auditions, they spend time with their married friends, David and Benji, whose 25 year age gap is starting to cause issues…but nothing that can’t be solved with the help of their therapist. The couples’ lives intertwine as they work to keep up appearances, find success, and navigate the intricacies of marriage. Oh, and maybe hide a few secrets.

True Colors

by Richie Altmanshofer

Synopsis

Ashton has a secret. But how can he possibly disappoint his parents after they just spent so much money on his art degree from NYU? With his parents in town for his final showcase, it's now or never…

Ashton has a secret. But how can he possibly disappoint his parents after they just spent so much money on his art degree from NYU? With his parents in town for his final showcase, it's now or never…

Date Debate

by Richie Altmanshofer

Synopsis

When Hunter doesn’t seem to have an interest in any of the gay culture-defining items on Daniel’s checklist, their blind date quickly turns into a lively debate on what it means to be queer today. If Hunter blends so seamlessly into straight society, does that distance him from queer identity and history—or is Daniel’s own bias getting in the way of a potential connection?

When Hunter doesn’t seem to have an interest in any of the gay culture-defining items on Daniel’s checklist, their blind date quickly turns into a lively debate on what it means to be queer today. If Hunter blends so seamlessly into straight society, does that distance him from queer identity and history—or is Daniel’s own bias getting in the way of a potential connection?

A Gift for the Unknown

by Richie Altmanshofer

Synopsis

It’s Christmas Eve, and Adam must fulfill his family’s annual tradition of leaving out a gift for “The Unknown.” When his new wife learns what the gift contains, dark secrets are revealed, and nothing will ever be the same.

It’s Christmas Eve, and Adam must fulfill his family’s annual tradition of leaving out a gift for “The Unknown.” When his new wife learns what the gift contains, dark secrets are revealed, and nothing will ever be the same.

An Ending, A Beginning

by Richie Altmanshofer

Synopsis

Brian is an actor who has just been fired from his first Broadway show. He thinks his career is over, but his best friend Jacob is determined to help him get back on his feet. Just before Brian throws in the towel for good, Jacob discovers a scandal that changes everything.

Brian is an actor who has just been fired from his first Broadway show. He thinks his career is over, but his best friend Jacob is determined to help him get back on his feet. Just before Brian throws in the towel for good, Jacob discovers a scandal that changes everything.

A Comet Hangs Over Iowa

by Richie Altmanshofer

Synopsis

A Comet Hangs Over Iowa is a queer coming-of-age story that touches on first love, friendship, identity, and making big decisions. Set in 1986, John's life turns upside down when he has to move to a new town in the middle of his senior year. An introvert having trouble making friends, John attends an extra credit outing to view Halley's Comet and suddenly finds himself alone with Ben, the town's football star...

A Comet Hangs Over Iowa is a queer coming-of-age story that touches on first love, friendship, identity, and making big decisions. Set in 1986, John's life turns upside down when he has to move to a new town in the middle of his senior year. An introvert having trouble making friends, John attends an extra credit outing to view Halley's Comet and suddenly finds himself alone with Ben, the town's football star and "golden boy." Their surprise connection shakes up their lives and the lives of the people around them.

A Wandering Life

by Richie Altmanshofer

Synopsis

After a breakup, Greg shows up at Kat's apartment in an attempt to return his half of their shared heart necklace. He believes he won’t be able to move on as long as it’s in his possession—but secrets revealed create an unexpected path forward for both of them.

After a breakup, Greg shows up at Kat's apartment in an attempt to return his half of their shared heart necklace. He believes he won’t be able to move on as long as it’s in his possession—but secrets revealed create an unexpected path forward for both of them.