Matthew Weaver

Matthew Weaver

PHOTO CREDIT: Crystal Madsen Photography
http://www.crystalmadsen.com


Matthew Weaver is a Spokane, Wash., playwright and screenwriter. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild.
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His plays have been produced in Washington State, Canada, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio, Texas, West Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, Colorado,...
PHOTO CREDIT: Crystal Madsen Photography
http://www.crystalmadsen.com


Matthew Weaver is a Spokane, Wash., playwright and screenwriter. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild.
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His plays have been produced in Washington State, Canada, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio, Texas, West Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, Colorado, California, Florida, Ireland, Japan, Oregon, Maryland, Illinois, Missouri, Arizona, Oklahoma and Iowa.
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In July 2018, a "Matthew Weaver" Special Showcase of 14 of his short plays was featured at Ignite! Community Theatre in Spokane Valley, Wash.

His comedy "Bed Ride" was a 2016 finalist in the Rover Dramawerks annual play contest in Plano, Texas. "Variations on a First Kiss" received Audience Favorite Comedy in the Exit 7 Players Theater's Short Play Contest.
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"Awnings" received the Robert Barnard Audience Award-Friday for a reading at the Arts Resources for the Tri-State (ARTS) New Works Festival in Huntington, WV, December 2016.
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"The Fluidity of Truth" is a semifinalist in the NYC Playwrights project Women in the Age of Trump.
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His screenplay "Trapped in a First Kiss" is a finalist in the first annual Twin Falls Sandwiches Film Festival in Twin Falls, Idaho, in October 2016.
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His short screenplay "Untoward" is a 2016 semifinalist in the DC Shorts Film Festival in Washington, D.C., and a quarterfinalist in the Richmond International Film Festival in Richmond, Va.
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He works by day as a reporter for an agricultural newspaper. Listen to a May 2017 interview with the Washington Grain Commission podcast, Wheat All About It: http://wagrains.org/podcast/episode-18-behind-the-curtain/
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His short screenplay "The Lift" received the only honorable mention in the Short. Sweet. Film Fest screenplay contest in March 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Plays

  • Aces Are Feverish by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    16–20
    ·
    Genre: adventure, comedy + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: noir, detective + 1 more
    Genre: adventure, comedy, mystery/thriller, parody/spoof, period
    Keyword: noir, detective, maple bars
    FULL-LENGTH: Directed by Joanne Moore Bracht; Masquers Theater in Soap Lake, Wash., Summer of 2016
    Selected for Eagle Point High School production in November 2018.

    Ace Valentine is a classic noir detective like Sam Spade or Philip Marlowe. Only she has a cold. When a sexy club singer asks her to investigate the disappearance of his missing wife, Ace is forced to confront old flames and...
    FULL-LENGTH: Directed by Joanne Moore Bracht; Masquers Theater in Soap Lake, Wash., Summer of 2016
    Selected for Eagle Point High School production in November 2018.

    Ace Valentine is a classic noir detective like Sam Spade or Philip Marlowe. Only she has a cold. When a sexy club singer asks her to investigate the disappearance of his missing wife, Ace is forced to confront old flames and longtime rivals. Before long, she's on the trail of a killer, consuming a large quantity of doughnuts - her medicine of choice - and dodging bullets. And ducking is hard when you have the sniffles.
  • Bed Ride by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    12–18
    ·
    Genre: comedy, farce + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: bed rest, bedroom comedy + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, farce, romantic comedy
    Keyword: bed rest, bedroom comedy, gangsters, birdwatchers, marriage, baby
    FULL-LENGTH: 2016 finalist in the Rover Dramawerks play contest in Plano, Texas.
    Directed by Beverly Hasper at Masquers Theater in Soap Lake, Wash., in the summer of 2013.

    Bob and Agatha Outhaus are confined to their bed for medical reasons. Agatha is eight months and three weeks pregnant and just about to give birth, and Bob broke both of his legs. Bob is an outdoors newspaper columnist,...
    FULL-LENGTH: 2016 finalist in the Rover Dramawerks play contest in Plano, Texas.
    Directed by Beverly Hasper at Masquers Theater in Soap Lake, Wash., in the summer of 2013.

    Bob and Agatha Outhaus are confined to their bed for medical reasons. Agatha is eight months and three weeks pregnant and just about to give birth, and Bob broke both of his legs. Bob is an outdoors newspaper columnist, but hasn't wanted to tell his bosses about his injuries, so he's still been writing his column like he's getting out and about.
    Their nurse, Joan, has a thing for bad boys. Bob's ne'er-do-well brother, Simon, arrives to help out and brings his girlfriend, Twinkie, with him. But trouble tends to follow Simon around ... unless it's already on the Outhaus doorstep!
  • Cashmere Woods by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    6
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama
    ·
    Keyword: Men, women + 6 more
    Genre: comedy, drama
    Keyword: Men, women, female performers, Poker, infidelity, marriage, gender, aging
    FULL-LENGTH: A group of friends gathers for their semi-regular "Guy's Night Out" poker game. All of them are at various stages of life - Teddy and his wife just had a baby. Hank just started dating again. Clint is suspicious of his wife. John is embarking on a new business venture. Pierce is distracted by worry.

    They're all starving, because it's The Stooge's night...
    FULL-LENGTH: A group of friends gathers for their semi-regular "Guy's Night Out" poker game. All of them are at various stages of life - Teddy and his wife just had a baby. Hank just started dating again. Clint is suspicious of his wife. John is embarking on a new business venture. Pierce is distracted by worry.

    They're all starving, because it's The Stooge's night to bring food. Only The Stooge apparently met a girl ...

    All characters are male, but are to be played by female performers.
  • Gluttony & Lust Are Friends by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    25–50
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: lust, gluttony + 8 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, fantasy, farce, romantic comedy, satire
    Keyword: lust, gluttony, seven deadly sins, virtues, Sex, food, apocalypse, sumo wrestler, erotic bakeries, all-you-can-eat
    FULL-LENGTH: Read as part of the WILDSound Festival in Canada in August 2015.

    At the annual gathering of the Seven Deadly Sins, Gluttony and Lust begin commiserating about the monotony of their routines. Apparently even having sex all the time and eating as much as you could ever want eventually gets really boring.

    So Gluttony and Lust swap, and are so reinvigorated and energized...
    FULL-LENGTH: Read as part of the WILDSound Festival in Canada in August 2015.

    At the annual gathering of the Seven Deadly Sins, Gluttony and Lust begin commiserating about the monotony of their routines. Apparently even having sex all the time and eating as much as you could ever want eventually gets really boring.

    So Gluttony and Lust swap, and are so reinvigorated and energized that they convince the other deadly sins to follow suit. Meanwhile, the world falls into chaos, with erotic bakeries taking the place of Starbucks on every street corner and a sumo wrestler being named the Sexiest Person Currently Breathing.

    Eventually the Virtues get involved, as all the changes threaten to bring about the apocalypse.

    Set entirely in a Chinese buffet restaurant.
  • Timmy's Big Kiss by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    15–50
    ·
    Genre: adventure, comedy + 7 more
    ·
    Keyword: young adult, teen audience + 1 more
    Genre: adventure, comedy, drama, experimental, farce, movement/physical, romantic comedy, satire, young audiences
    Keyword: young adult, teen audience, large casts for young adults
    YA FULL-LENGTH COMEDY: Timmy Hilsop is on the run from every girl in his school and the tri-county area, all of whom want to kiss him to win a prize established by his rock star older brother, Van. But does Timmy even want to be kissed?

    Selected for the 2018 Plays-In-Development program at The Sauk in Jonesville, Michigan in June 2018, directed by Trinity Bird.
  • And Sometimes Y by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    86
    ·
    Genre: adventure, comedy + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: many roles, alphabetical order + 2 more
    Genre: adventure, comedy, dark comedy, experimental
    Keyword: many roles, alphabetical order, alphabet, quirky
    FULL-LENGTH: An evening of very short plays, 1-3 minutes each, all in alphabetical order.

    Each play only uses dialogue that begins with a corresponding letter. The "A" play only uses words that begin with the letter A, the "B" play only uses words that begin with the letter "B," and so on.

    Includes "Quite" and "Want."
    ...
    FULL-LENGTH: An evening of very short plays, 1-3 minutes each, all in alphabetical order.

    Each play only uses dialogue that begins with a corresponding letter. The "A" play only uses words that begin with the letter A, the "B" play only uses words that begin with the letter "B," and so on.

    Includes "Quite" and "Want."

    A finalist for the Playwrights Series new play development program at Cutting Ball Theatre in San Francisco, CA, in the summer of 2018.
    Used as a prompt in Emma Goldman-Sherman's Write Now workshop in the 29th Street Playwrights Collective in New York City.

    Maximum of 86 individual parts. Obviously, doubling is allowed.
  • First Kisses by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    31
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: kissing, first kiss + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, fantasy, pantomime, romantic comedy
    Keyword: kissing, first kiss, aging, seduction, spin the bottle, seven minutes in heaven
    FULL-LENGTH: An evening of short plays devoted to first kisses.

    Includes "New Mistakes," "True Love's Kiss," "Asterisk Kisses" and "Variations on a First Kiss."

    In "The Kissing Scene," Quinn discovers Dominick's secret.
    In "Shrug," a boy and girl wonder what all the fuss is about.
    In "The...
    FULL-LENGTH: An evening of short plays devoted to first kisses.

    Includes "New Mistakes," "True Love's Kiss," "Asterisk Kisses" and "Variations on a First Kiss."

    In "The Kissing Scene," Quinn discovers Dominick's secret.
    In "Shrug," a boy and girl wonder what all the fuss is about.
    In "The Cereals Aisle," a man and woman share a passionate moment in the middle of a grocery store.
    In "Spin the Bottle,"a group of senior citizens play a favorite childhood game.
    In "Seven Minutes in Heaven," Jordan tries to give Charlie his first kiss.
  • Jesus at 10 (an evening of 10 short plays) by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    19
    ·
    Genre: adaptation, biography + 10 more
    ·
    Keyword: Jesus Christ, monologues + 8 more
    Genre: adaptation, biography, docudrama/historic, drama, experimental, faith-based, holiday, immersive, movement/physical, period, political, young audiences
    Keyword: Jesus Christ, monologues, Bible, biblical times, faith, religion, tolerance, Beatitudes, christianity, Catholicism
    FULL-LENGTH: Intended to be an evening of short plays, mostly monologues, depicting the life and times of Jesus Christ at various ages - three weeks, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, newly crucified at 33, today and infinity.

    Includes the short plays "Jesus at 3 Weeks" and "Jesus at 10."
  • 19 by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    21
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: consent, love + 4 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, immersive, movement/physical, political
    Keyword: consent, love, loneliness, kissing, birthday, golden year
    TEN-MINUTE-PLUS:On his nineteenth birthday on the 19th, a young man asks to kiss the girl of his dreams. She says no. A Reality Girl appears and offers him an interesting alternative.
  • A Sprig of Mistletoe Up in That One Little Corner of the Jail by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    7
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: christmas, christmas eve + 3 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, faith-based, holiday, tragedy
    Keyword: christmas, christmas eve, bank robbers, crime, O.Henry
    ONE-ACT: Young Alec, the sheriff's son, spends Christmas Eve with the notorious bank robbers Bonnie and Bonnie. Selected for the Long Form March 16-18, 2018 at Stage Left Theater in Spokane, Wash. Directed by Jennie Oliver and Andrea Tate.
  • A Zillion Kinds of Kisses by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 7 more
    ·
    Keyword: kissing, romance + 8 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, experimental, fantasy, farce, immersive, movement/physical, pantomime, romantic comedy
    Keyword: kissing, romance, physical, movement, affection, public displays of affection, lovers, tragedy, humor, physicality
    TEN-MINUTE PLUS: Two performers demonstrate many different kinds of kisses.
  • Asterisk Kisses by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: kissing, first kiss
    Genre: comedy, drama, romantic comedy
    Keyword: kissing, first kiss
    TEN-MINUTE-PLUS: Performed by Fearless Productions, Kicking and Screaming Festival in Rahway, N.J., February 2016

    Logan asks Jessica to be his first kiss.
  • Be in the Moment by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    20
    ·
    Genre: experimental
    ·
    Keyword: Spokane, observational + 2 more
    Genre: experimental
    Keyword: Spokane, observational, theater verite, real life
    A playwright observes the activities going on around them on a particular day in Spokane, Wash.

    Theater verite.

    Published by Cascadia Rising Review, June 2018.

    A finalist for the Dionysian magazine, issue 002, February 2017.
  • The Bee's Knees by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    7
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 5 more
    ·
    Keyword: bees, queen bee + 2 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, fantasy, movement/physical, science fiction, tragedy, young audiences
    Keyword: bees, queen bee, entomology, insects
    ONE-ACT: A veteran bee scout desperately searches for food for the rest of the hive. Her knees cheer her on.

    All-female cast.
  • Feminine Care by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    8
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: men and women, feminine care + 4 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: men and women, feminine care, feminism, gender, Relationships, grocery store aisle
    10- to 15-MINUTE: Three guys find themselves in the feminine care aisle, having to pick out a product for the important ladies in their lives.

    Key dialogue written by Emily Wagnitz.

    Originally performed June 2012 by Ignite! Community Theatre in Spokane, Wash., directed by Will Gilman. Also performed on Spokane community radio the same year.
  • Friday Nights at the Food Court by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    6
    ·
    Genre: drama, young audiences
    ·
    Keyword: teenagers, young adult + 4 more
    Genre: drama, young audiences
    Keyword: teenagers, young adult, relationship abuse, teen drinking, teen drug use, Relationships
    YA ONE-ACT: Selected for Gallery Players Black Box New Play Festival June 2017, in Brooklyn, NY.

    Kent Rowan and brother Bobby are at the food court of their local mall, getting dinner after buying shoes for Bobby.

    Cheryl Jarvis, the girl Kent likes, is at another table with friends Brandy and Madison. Her overbearing boyfriend, Keith, crashes the party to check in on his girlfriend...
    YA ONE-ACT: Selected for Gallery Players Black Box New Play Festival June 2017, in Brooklyn, NY.

    Kent Rowan and brother Bobby are at the food court of their local mall, getting dinner after buying shoes for Bobby.

    Cheryl Jarvis, the girl Kent likes, is at another table with friends Brandy and Madison. Her overbearing boyfriend, Keith, crashes the party to check in on his girlfriend.

    Love and hate, betrayal and woe all play out among the teen scene at a local mall on a Friday night.
  • The Great Fish & Jonah by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, experimental + 9 more
    ·
    Keyword: biblical, Bible story + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, experimental, faith-based, fantasy, farce, movement/physical, parody/spoof, period, satire, science fiction, young audiences
    Keyword: biblical, Bible story, religion, church, swallowed by a whale
    ONE-ACT: Jonah (yes, that Jonah, the one from the Bible) and the great fish are friends.

    Performed as part of Burien Actors Theatre Playwrights Festival, Burien, WA, May 2019, directed by Rachel Rene. First-place winner, one-act category.

    Performed as part of Spokane Civic Theatre Playwrights Forum Festival; Spokane, WA; June 2019, directed by Matthew Harget. Received Adjudicator's Award.
  • The Girl Wore Red Licorice by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    6–10
    ·
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    ·
    Keyword: love of your life, red licorice + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    Keyword: love of your life, red licorice, psychic, hopeless romantic
    ONE-ACT: Produced as part of Spokane Civic Theatre's Playwrights Forum Festival in summer of 2014, directed by Will Gilman.

    A psychic comes up to Peter Hopewell and tells him when and where to meet the love of his life ... and what she'll be wearing.
  • Heart in a Box by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    15
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 7 more
    ·
    Keyword: No Dialogue, large cast + 4 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, experimental, fable/folktale, fantasy, movement/physical, pantomime, science fiction, tragedy
    Keyword: No Dialogue, large cast, love, Relationships, dating, kissing
    TEN-MINUTE/ONE-ACT: A man sits at a table, his beating heart in a shoebox.

    Published by Cascadia Rising Review magazine, June 2019.
  • Kiss Me in the House of Mirrors by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: adventure, dark comedy + 10 more
    ·
    Keyword: good roles for young performers, steamy + 7 more
    Genre: adventure, dark comedy, drama, experimental, fantasy, holiday, horror, melodrama, mystery/thriller, science fiction, tragedy, young audiences
    Keyword: good roles for young performers, steamy, kissing, carnival, Fantasy, Ray Bradbury, autumn, fall, halloween
    ONE-ACT: Two young couples bravely venture into a house of mirrors, led by our host, Rae Bradbury.

    They might not like what they find.
  • The Kissing Bandit by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    6–8
    ·
    Genre: adventure, comedy + 6 more
    ·
    Keyword: kissing, LGBTQ + 1 more
    Genre: adventure, comedy, drama, experimental, movement/physical, mystery/thriller, parody/spoof, romantic comedy
    Keyword: kissing, LGBTQ, female superheroes
    ONE-ACT: Ace reporter Lulu Lamb is on the scene in search of more information about the notorious Kissing Bandit. She finds three women hoping the masked vigilante appears ...
  • Mr. Irresistible by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    6
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 8 more
    ·
    Keyword: writing, writers writing + 7 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, experimental, fable/folktale, horror, melodrama, movement/physical, political, satire, young audiences
    Keyword: writing, writers writing, controversial topics, boys and girls, kissing, teachers and students, sexuality, good roles for women, good roles for young women
    ONE-ACT: Charlie Donner wrote a controversial story for school, and now he's in trouble with his favorite teacher, Miss Anchovy.
  • On the 38th Kiss, I Explode by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    10
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, experimental + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: quirky, kissing + 1 more
    Genre: dark comedy, experimental, movement/physical, romantic comedy, tragedy
    Keyword: quirky, kissing, Relationships
    ONE-ACT: Xavier and Petunia find romance at a party. But Petunia has a hereditary heart diagnosis ...
  • Spin The Bottle by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    6
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: senior citizens, kissing + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, romantic comedy, tragedy
    Keyword: senior citizens, kissing, Seniors, aging, spin the bottle, sex after 50, first kiss
    10-MINUTE-PLUS: Six frisky seniors play a favorite childhood game. Part of the "First Kisses" evening of short plays.

    One of 14 (!) short plays read as part of a "Matthew Weaver Special Showcase" July 20-22, 2018 at Ignite! Community Theatre in Spokane Valley, Wash.
  • The Whale and the Tuba by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    9–20
    ·
    Genre: adventure, comedy + 7 more
    ·
    Keyword: high school, English class + 7 more
    Genre: adventure, comedy, drama, experimental, fantasy, farce, parody/spoof, satire, young audiences
    Keyword: high school, English class, high school English class, literature, books, readers, authors, symbolism, satire
    ONE-ACT: Ms. Conrad's high school English class is reading that classic, epic novel THE WHALE AND THE TUBA. Ms. Conrad is the world's foremost expert on THE WHALE AND THE TUBA.

    Then the author of THE WHALE AND THE TUBA walks into the classroom.

    Originally written as a short story for my senior year Creative Writing class at Rogers High School in March 1999. I thought it...
    ONE-ACT: Ms. Conrad's high school English class is reading that classic, epic novel THE WHALE AND THE TUBA. Ms. Conrad is the world's foremost expert on THE WHALE AND THE TUBA.

    Then the author of THE WHALE AND THE TUBA walks into the classroom.

    Originally written as a short story for my senior year Creative Writing class at Rogers High School in March 1999. I thought it would be an interesting exercise to try to turn it into a play.
  • When You Are a Little Bit Older by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: fun roles for young men, kissing + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, movement/physical, romantic comedy, young audiences
    Keyword: fun roles for young men, kissing, coming of age, growing up, first kiss
    YA-ONE-ACT: Owen tags along on older brother Cooper's hot date at the movies with Ava. But then Owen runs out of popcorn ...

    Produced May 2019 as part of Iowa State University One-Act Play Festival, directed by Levi Miller.

    Produced April 2019 as part of Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center One-Act Play Festival in Midland, PA, directed by Korey Grecek and Sophia Rose...
    YA-ONE-ACT: Owen tags along on older brother Cooper's hot date at the movies with Ava. But then Owen runs out of popcorn ...

    Produced May 2019 as part of Iowa State University One-Act Play Festival, directed by Levi Miller.

    Produced April 2019 as part of Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center One-Act Play Festival in Midland, PA, directed by Korey Grecek and Sophia Rose Englesberg*

    *This is a special production because Korey and Sophia were in the world premiere of the play, and enjoyed it so much they asked to direct it.

    Selected for the Pittsburgh New Works Festival in Carnegie, PA, produced by Thoreau NM - a Production Company, in September 2017.

    Shortlisted for the International Talent Club Balkan Regional Playwrights Childrens Drama category in July 2017.
  • The 123s of PDAs, Easy as ABC by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 5 more
    ·
    Keyword: romance, kissing + 3 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, fantasy, immersive, melodrama, movement/physical, romantic comedy
    Keyword: romance, kissing, public displays of affection, virginity, steamy
    TEN-MINUTE-PLUS: Cindy teaches Uriah how to be affectionate in public.
  • 4 Horses of the Apocalypse by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, docudrama/historic + 8 more
    ·
    Keyword: horses, animals + 5 more
    Genre: dark comedy, docudrama/historic, drama, experimental, fable/folktale, faith-based, fantasy, horror, immersive, movement/physical
    Keyword: horses, animals, animals in the Bible, biblical, alpha and omega, apocalyptic, apocalypse
    TEN-MINUTE: The four horses of the apocalypse wonder if today will be the day.
  • A New Play by Matthew Weaver by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 11 more
    ·
    Keyword: future, information + 1 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, docudrama/historic, experimental, fable/folktale, fantasy, farce, horror, parody/spoof, political, romantic comedy, satire, tragedy
    Keyword: future, information, literature
    TEN-MINUTE: In the year 9936, a new play by Matthew Weaver has been discovered.

    One of 14 (!) short plays read as part of a "Matthew Weaver Special Showcase" July 20-22, 2018 at Ignite! Community Theatre in Spokane Valley, Wash.

    Featured in November 2018 on the NYC Playwrights podcast.
  • Another Play by Matthew Weaver by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, experimental + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: literature, mindbender
    Genre: comedy, experimental, farce, immersive, satire
    Keyword: literature, mindbender
    TEN-MINUTE: Three actresses get on set to read their latest script.
  • Abby & Ksenia & the Monster by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: Sisters, girl power + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, fantasy, horror, young audiences
    Keyword: Sisters, girl power, monster, Childhood, coming of age, growing up
    TEN-MINUTE: A Terrifying Monster is in Abby and Ksenia's room. The sisters need to try to ignore it.

    Performed as part of Mildred's Umbrella Theater's Museum of Dysfunction play festival, July 2017, Houston, Texas.

    Performed as part of Dramatic Acting track for Summer School for Performing Arts in Westford, MA, July 2017.

    Performed as part of Harper...
    TEN-MINUTE: A Terrifying Monster is in Abby and Ksenia's room. The sisters need to try to ignore it.

    Performed as part of Mildred's Umbrella Theater's Museum of Dysfunction play festival, July 2017, Houston, Texas.

    Performed as part of Dramatic Acting track for Summer School for Performing Arts in Westford, MA, July 2017.

    Performed as part of Harper College's InZone Program, "Stars of the Stage," in Palatine, Ill., in June 2018.

    Selected for Open Space Arts' 2018 Summer Playwrights Festival in Reisterstown, Maryland, in August 2018.

    Selected for Abiding Harvest Shorts Play Festival in Broken Arrow, OK, October 2017.
  • Adult Situations by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama
    ·
    Keyword: coming of age
    Genre: comedy, drama
    Keyword: coming of age
    TEN-MINUTE: On the eve of their high school graduation, Farley and Glenn are playing video games. Glenn's big sister Naomi has other ideas ...
  • The Aftermath by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: godzilla, Thomas Pynchon + 2 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, fantasy, horror, science fiction, tragedy
    Keyword: godzilla, Thomas Pynchon, aftermath, survivor
    TEN-MINUTE: Myrna and Noah survey the damage of a Godzilla-ish attack.

    For this play, I combined two ideas. One was a prompt from 31 Plays in 31 Days: "Write a play where each character says no more than three words at a time."

    Also, as according to Vulture, the reclusive author Thomas Pynchon (V., GRAVITY'S RAINBOW, THE CRYING OF LOT 49, MASON & DIXON)...
    TEN-MINUTE: Myrna and Noah survey the damage of a Godzilla-ish attack.

    For this play, I combined two ideas. One was a prompt from 31 Plays in 31 Days: "Write a play where each character says no more than three words at a time."

    Also, as according to Vulture, the reclusive author Thomas Pynchon (V., GRAVITY'S RAINBOW, THE CRYING OF LOT 49, MASON & DIXON) reportedly was working on a novel, never published, "about an insurance adjuster flown in to Japan to assess the damage done by Godzilla."

    (http://www.vulture.com/2013/08/thomas-pynchon-bleeding-edge.html)

    Put the two ideas together and what do you have?

    THE AFTERMATH.
  • The Apple by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: experimental, fable/folktale + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: witches, Little Red Riding Hood + 5 more
    Genre: experimental, fable/folktale, fantasy, horror, movement/physical, tragedy
    Keyword: witches, Little Red Riding Hood, lost in the foods, Dark Fairy Tale, good roles for women, good roles for young performers, coming of age
    TEN-MINUTE: Young Matthew lost his way in the dark woods. The Woman appears, wearing a red cloak, offering knowledge of the way home.
  • Arguing With Toasters by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: women's issues, women + 4 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, experimental, fable/folktale, political, satire
    Keyword: women's issues, women, toasters, kitchen appliances, Domestic, absurdism
    TEN-MINUTEISH: Four women argue with toasters.

    Selected for University of St. Thomas' Ampersand 2.0 Festival April 2017 in Houston, Texas.
  • The Ark by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, docudrama/historic + 7 more
    ·
    Keyword: good roles for actors, biblical
    Genre: comedy, docudrama/historic, fable/folktale, faith-based, fantasy, farce, movement/physical, parody/spoof, satire
    Keyword: good roles for actors, biblical
    TEN-MINUTE: Noah's three sons - Japheth, Shem and Ham - have to usher in the animals two by two on the boat their father recently built. A 10-minute comedy, selected for performance on the Onstage-Offstage podcast by George Sapio in October 2017. http://www.gsapio.com/podcasts/itunes/171001WEAVER.mp3

    One of 14 (!) short plays read as part of a "Matthew Weaver Special Showcase" July...
    TEN-MINUTE: Noah's three sons - Japheth, Shem and Ham - have to usher in the animals two by two on the boat their father recently built. A 10-minute comedy, selected for performance on the Onstage-Offstage podcast by George Sapio in October 2017. http://www.gsapio.com/podcasts/itunes/171001WEAVER.mp3

    One of 14 (!) short plays read as part of a "Matthew Weaver Special Showcase" July 20-22, 2018 at Ignite! Community Theatre in Spokane Valley, Wash.
  • Awnings by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    3–7
    ·
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    ·
    Keyword: rainstorm, kissing + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    Keyword: rainstorm, kissing, thunder, lightning, steamy
    TEN-MINUTE: Arthur and Viola find themselves under an awning in the middle of a storm.

    A 10-minute play.

    Winner, Robert Barnard Audience Award-Friday for reading at the Arts Resources for the Tri-State (ARTS) New Works Festival in Huntington, WV, December 2016.

    Selected for Curious Arrow Theatre's Lucid Short Play Festival in September 2017 in Grand Rapids, MI....
    TEN-MINUTE: Arthur and Viola find themselves under an awning in the middle of a storm.

    A 10-minute play.

    Winner, Robert Barnard Audience Award-Friday for reading at the Arts Resources for the Tri-State (ARTS) New Works Festival in Huntington, WV, December 2016.

    Selected for Curious Arrow Theatre's Lucid Short Play Festival in September 2017 in Grand Rapids, MI.

    One of 14 (!) short plays read as part of a "Matthew Weaver Special Showcase" July 20-22, 2018 at Ignite! Community Theatre in Spokane Valley, Wash.
  • Best Behavior by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: two-hander, good roles for two women + 2 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, fantasy, tragedy
    Keyword: two-hander, good roles for two women, female friendships, friendship
    TEN-MINUTE: Cadence is ... planting bulbs in flower pots, apparently? When an old friend from school, Diana, suddenly appears and tells her they should have hung out more often or gotten coffee together.

    Written in an hour on Jan. 26, 2019, for the Nugget Fringe Festival in Grass Valley, CA.

    The prompt we received was "There is a crack in everything. That's how the light...
    TEN-MINUTE: Cadence is ... planting bulbs in flower pots, apparently? When an old friend from school, Diana, suddenly appears and tells her they should have hung out more often or gotten coffee together.

    Written in an hour on Jan. 26, 2019, for the Nugget Fringe Festival in Grass Valley, CA.

    The prompt we received was "There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in."

    It was kind of a melancholy prompt on kind of a melancholy day, so I just started typing and this is what came out.
  • Bigelow Gulch by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: friendship, class reunion
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: friendship, class reunion
    TEN-MINUTE: Longtime best friends Quentin and Xavier run into Rachel, the girl they both loved once upon a time.
  • Blackbirds Singing in the Dead of Night by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: adventure, comedy + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: Sisters, Con Artists + 7 more
    Genre: adventure, comedy, dark comedy, drama, experimental, movement/physical
    Keyword: Sisters, Con Artists, on the run, Sheriff, criminals, law, crime, deputy, blackbirds
    TEN-MINUTE: Con artist sisters Blackbird and Raven run through the woods late at night, having successfully absconded with cash from Blackbird's unwitting would-be-husband. They have a train to catch, if Sheriff Bickleton doesn't stop them.

    This play was written in an hour for the Nugget Fringe Festival in Grass Valley, CA on Jan. 20, 2019.

    We were given the prompt "...
    TEN-MINUTE: Con artist sisters Blackbird and Raven run through the woods late at night, having successfully absconded with cash from Blackbird's unwitting would-be-husband. They have a train to catch, if Sheriff Bickleton doesn't stop them.

    This play was written in an hour for the Nugget Fringe Festival in Grass Valley, CA on Jan. 20, 2019.

    We were given the prompt "Blackbirds singing in the dead of night." Now, I WAS tempted to write about a trio of penguins (perhaps the SAME penguins from CONTINENTS APART?) singing in the middle of the night, but I didn't want to repeat, I'd already written about animals and I knew Scott Mullen had written a play for the prompt about eagles, so I figured I had better write about some people. I came up with two con artist sisters running through the woods, having successfully stolen bags' worth of money from the older sister's unsuspecting would-be husband. They're dashing to catch a train ... and then the sheriff shows up and wonders where they're off to in such a hurry, the night before the elder sister's wedding. I used the prompt for the title: BLACKBIRDS SINGING IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT.
  • Bookdrop by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, movement/physical + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: romance, good roles for women + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, movement/physical, romantic comedy
    Keyword: romance, good roles for women, good roles for men, mature love, literature, library, librarians
    TEN-MINUTE: Librarian Ulma finds Ricky in kind of an awkward situation - his hand caught in the bookdrop.

    Originally written for the Heartland Theatre Company's annual 10-minute play festival, which was themed "The Library."
  • The Boy on the Beach by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 6
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: mythology, sirens + 5 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, fable/folktale, fantasy, immersive, movement/physical
    Keyword: mythology, sirens, possible vampire, innocence, coming of age, dreams, taboo
    TEN-MINUTE: Three mysterious women happen upon a boy on a beach.

    Produced as part of Pyro Playfest by the Paris Junior College Department of Drama in Paris, TX, in April 2019.

    Selected for a reading for the West Side Show Room's Rockford New Play Festival in Rockford, Illinois, August 2018.

    Listed in Smith & Kraus Best Ten-Minute Plays 2019; second place Circle of Excellence winner.
  • The Bride and the Boy by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: adventure, experimental + 5 more
    ·
    Keyword: romance, mystery + 5 more
    Genre: adventure, experimental, fable/folktale, fantasy, immersive, movement/physical, science fiction
    Keyword: romance, mystery, time travel, the future, fate, good roles for women, good roles for young men
    TEN-MINUTE: A young boy gets a message from the future.
  • Calpurnia Delivers Caesar's Papers to Mark Antony by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: 365 Women A Year Playwriting Project, women + 3 more
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic, drama, period, political, tragedy
    Keyword: 365 Women A Year Playwriting Project, women, History, Caesar, widow
    TEN-MINUTE: Calpurnia, final wife to Julius Caesar, delivers his papers to Mark Antony following Caesar's assassination.
    Written for the 365 Women a Year project.
  • The Carpenter's Boy by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: biblical, Jesus + 1 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, docudrama/historic, faith-based, farce
    Keyword: biblical, Jesus, religion
    TEN-MINUTE: Enoch and Judith discuss troublesome neighbors in Nazareth, circa 32 A.D.

    Selected for Nylon Fusion Theatre's Can You HEAR Me? Festival in NYC in June 2018.
  • Coffee with Irna & Gloria by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: ten-minute play, soap operas + 3 more
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic, drama, experimental
    Keyword: ten-minute play, soap operas, biography, two actors 10-minute play, two-hander
    TEN-MINUTE: Irna Phillips is the mother of the daytime soap opera, having created PAINTED DREAMS, WOMAN IN WHITE, THE GUIDING LIGHT, AS THE WORLD TURNS and ANOTHER WORLD.

    Gloria Monty revolutionized the soap in the late 1970s by creating the adventures of Luke and Laura on GENERAL HOSPITAL.

    This play, written as part of the 365 Women a Year playwrighting project, imagines a...
    TEN-MINUTE: Irna Phillips is the mother of the daytime soap opera, having created PAINTED DREAMS, WOMAN IN WHITE, THE GUIDING LIGHT, AS THE WORLD TURNS and ANOTHER WORLD.

    Gloria Monty revolutionized the soap in the late 1970s by creating the adventures of Luke and Laura on GENERAL HOSPITAL.

    This play, written as part of the 365 Women a Year playwrighting project, imagines a conversation between the two women - renowned for their creativity and ferocity - as they reflect on soap operas today.
  • Continents Apart by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 6 more
    ·
    Keyword: penguins, polar bears + 6 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, experimental, fable/folktale, faith-based, fantasy, mystery/thriller, science fiction
    Keyword: penguins, polar bears, Antarctica, the North Pole, explorers, dreams, visions, animals
    TEN-MINUTE: Penguin Rangiora informs her friends Gerritsz and Mercator Cooper of a dream she had the night before.

    This play was written in an hour for the Nugget Fringe Festival in Grass Valley, CA on Jan. 19, 2019.

    The prompt we were given was "Last night I dreamed of bears."

    Now, with an hour, you don't have a lot of time to waste figuring out what...
    TEN-MINUTE: Penguin Rangiora informs her friends Gerritsz and Mercator Cooper of a dream she had the night before.

    This play was written in an hour for the Nugget Fringe Festival in Grass Valley, CA on Jan. 19, 2019.

    The prompt we were given was "Last night I dreamed of bears."

    Now, with an hour, you don't have a lot of time to waste figuring out what you're going to write about. So I asked myself, "WHO dreamed of bears?" Then I asked "Who is the least likely to dream of bears?" And I thought of penguins, since polar bears are only at the North Pole and penguins are only at the South Pole. So I came up with CONTINENTS APART, in which Rangiora the penguin admits to her friends Gerritsz and Mercator Cooper (the penguins are all named after South Pole explorers) that she dreamt of a giant beast the night before, and they all wonder what the dream could mean (special challenge to myself: The penguins have no reason to know they're called polar bears, so they never actually use the word "bear").
  • The Count by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 5 more
    ·
    Keyword: Toxic Masculinity, girl power + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, holiday, horror, movement/physical, political, young audiences
    Keyword: Toxic Masculinity, girl power, vampire, halloween
    TEN-MINUTE: Count Orsino finds the lovely Elizabeth reading on a park bench and enthralls her.

    Selected for Little Fish Theatre's fundraiser in San Pedro, CA, in October 2018.

    Inspired by this T-shirt: https://www.vacancyprojects.com/product/winona
  • The Death and Dying of Kateri Tekakwitha by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    5–12
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: faith, Catholicism + 4 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, faith-based, period
    Keyword: faith, Catholicism, saints, Native American, good roles for young men, 365 Women A Year Playwriting Project
    TEN-MINUTE: Kateri Tekakwitha, who would go on to become the first Native American Catholic saint, receives visitors as she enters her final moments.

    Written for the 365 Women A Year Playwriting Project in 2018.
  • Dung Beetle Family Reunion by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 7 more
    ·
    Keyword: dung beetle, insects + 8 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, drama, experimental, fable/folktale, fantasy, holiday, political, satire
    Keyword: dung beetle, insects, intolerance, religion, family, bigotry, bias and bigotry, Politics, sexual preference, diversity
    TEN-MINUTE: Roller, Tunneler and Dweller have an important discussion during the quinquennial dung beetle family reunion.
  • The Embrace by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: drama
    ·
    Keyword: women, female friendship + 1 more
    Genre: drama
    Keyword: women, female friendship, remembering loved one
    TEN-MINUTE: Written in an hour Jan. 21, 2018, for the Nugget Fringe Festival Three-Hour Plays in Grass Valley, CA.

    Judith is quietly crying on a park bench when Claudette and her boyfriend pass through.

    The prompt we were given was the quote by Rumi, "The hurt we embrace becomes joy. Call it to your arms where it can change."
  • egg salad and cola by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama
    ·
    Keyword: marriage, love + 6 more
    Genre: comedy, drama
    Keyword: marriage, love, secrets, men and women, husbands and wives, food, lunch, cooking
    TEN-MINUTE: Newlyweds Elliott and Nan are enjoying the last evening of their honeymoon when Elliott, a chef, decides to make Nan's lunch for the next day back at work. What Nan reveals astonishes him.

    One of 14 (!) short plays read as part of a "Matthew Weaver Special Showcase" July 20-22, 2018 at Ignite! Community Theatre in Spokane Valley, Wash.
  • Flies at the Nativity by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: adventure, comedy + 9 more
    ·
    Keyword: Christmas plays, christmas + 5 more
    Genre: adventure, comedy, dark comedy, faith-based, fantasy, farce, holiday, movement/physical, period, satire, young audiences
    Keyword: Christmas plays, christmas, insects, humor, comedic nativity play, nativity, biblical
    TEN-MINUTE: Yes, you read the title right. Three common houseflies are present at the site of the birth of the Baby Jesus.

    One of 14 (!) short plays read as part of a "Matthew Weaver Special Showcase" July 20-22, 2018 at Ignite! Community Theatre in Spokane Valley, Wash.

    Reading by City Theatre in Coral Gables, FL; July 2018.
  • The Fluidity of Truth by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: women, harassment + 5 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, horror, political, satire, tragedy
    Keyword: women, harassment, Donald Trump, Women in the Age of Trump, police, women's issues, social issues
    TEN-MINUTE: Gina accuses Donnie of being inappropriate.

    Semifinalist in NYC Playwrights' Women in the Age of Trump project.
  • GEG-SEA-ANC-ADQ by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: two hander, siblings + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, drama, movement/physical
    Keyword: two hander, siblings, Airport, LGBTQ, dysfunctional family, family
    TEN-MINUTE: Claire and Snake are flying to Alaska. Snake hates flying.
  • Help! I'm Trapped in a Monologue Written by Matthew Weaver! by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 8
    ·
    Cast: 
    2–20
    ·
    Genre: adventure, comedy + 12 more
    ·
    Keyword: infectious diseases
    Genre: adventure, comedy, dark comedy, experimental, fantasy, farce, horror, immersive, melodrama, movement/physical, mystery/thriller, satire, tragedy, young audiences
    Keyword: infectious diseases
    MONOLOGUE: A performer is trapped in a monologue written by Matthew Weaver, playwright of such works as A NEW PLAY BY MATTHEW WEAVER and ANOTHER PLAY BY MATTHEW WEAVER.
  • High School Nachos by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, political + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: time travel, time + 1 more
    Genre: comedy, political, science fiction, young audiences
    Keyword: time travel, time, aging
    TEN-MINUTE: Written in an hour and performed for the Nugget Fringe Festival in Grass Valley, California, Jan. 27, 2018. The prompt was: "Yes time travel is possible. Will explain later." - Jose Conseco

    V. travels back in time for a favorite meal.
  • I, Marshmallow by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    9
    ·
    Genre: adventure, comedy + 8 more
    ·
    Keyword: marshmallows, scouts + 3 more
    Genre: adventure, comedy, dark comedy, experimental, farce, horror, melodrama, satire, tragedy, young audiences
    Keyword: marshmallows, scouts, Campfire, fire, inanimate objects
    TEN-MINUTE: Everyone loves a camp fire. Except for maybe the marshmallows.

    Performed as part of Arts Resources for the Tri-State (ARTS) New Works Festival in Huntington, WV, in December 2016.

    Produced by the Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, Maryland, in May 2018.

    Performed as part of Harper College's Inzone Program, "Stars of the Stage," in Palatine, Ill., in June 2018.
  • If You Ever Want to See Your Lizard Again ... by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: adventure, comedy + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: good roles for women, heist + 3 more
    Genre: adventure, comedy, dark comedy, movement/physical
    Keyword: good roles for women, heist, animals, Sisters, good comedy for women
    TEN-MINUTE: Liz and Ardy have stolen a lizard from the zoo, but things aren't entirely going to plan.

    Written April 26, 2019, as part of the LeftOvers 24-hour festival at Stage Left Theatre in Spokane, WA. Directed by Kim Roberts and starred Michelle Bakken and Rebecca Bolster. The prop I had to incorporate into the play was a toy lizard.

    I had 12 hours to write the play and...
    TEN-MINUTE: Liz and Ardy have stolen a lizard from the zoo, but things aren't entirely going to plan.

    Written April 26, 2019, as part of the LeftOvers 24-hour festival at Stage Left Theatre in Spokane, WA. Directed by Kim Roberts and starred Michelle Bakken and Rebecca Bolster. The prop I had to incorporate into the play was a toy lizard.

    I had 12 hours to write the play and they had 12 hours to prepare it for production. They did a fantastic job!
  • Illicit by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: coming of age, teenagers + 3 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, movement/physical, young audiences
    Keyword: coming of age, teenagers, adultery, young adult, steamy
    TEN-MINUTE: Sammy, the brother of the groom, catches the bride in a compromising position.
  • The Kissing Scene by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: innocence, kissing
    Genre: drama, experimental, romantic comedy, young audiences
    Keyword: innocence, kissing
    TEN-MINUTE: Young actor Dominick is anxious about his kissing scene the next day with co-star Quinn.

    Part of the "First Kisses" evening of plays.

    One of 14 (!) short plays read as part of a "Matthew Weaver Special Showcase" July 20-22, 2018 at Ignite! Community Theatre in Spokane Valley, Wash.
  • Look by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: romance, Relationships + 5 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, movement/physical
    Keyword: romance, Relationships, consensual relationships, virginity, first time, body acceptance, nudity
    TEN-MINUTE: Neal and Jackie look at each other.

    Play calls for nudity. Please play to the safety and comfort of your performers.
  • Mind Your Ps and Qs by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: drama, tragedy
    ·
    Keyword: Temptation, marriage + 3 more
    Genre: drama, tragedy
    Keyword: Temptation, marriage, infidelity, first love, kissing
    TEN-MINUTE: Workers at a typesetting company experience a moment of temptation.

    Author's note: This was written after reading "Letter Perfect," a history of the origins of the alphabet, by David Sacks, and learning the origins of the expression "Mind your Ps and Qs," referring to keeping the letters straight when using movable type.
  • Neighborhood Watch by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 5 more
    ·
    Keyword: fairy tale, bears + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, fable/folktale, fantasy, melodrama, parody/spoof, young audiences
    Keyword: fairy tale, bears, animals, forest creatures
    TEN-MINUTE: Bears Umberto and Gustav see Goldilocks breaking into their neighbors' home.

    Selected for the East/West Playfest in Westford, Connecticut and Mitford, Connecticut in July 2019.
  • Operation Keep the Kitten Alive by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, movement/physical + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: teenagers, babysitter + 6 more
    Genre: comedy, movement/physical, young audiences
    Keyword: teenagers, babysitter, kitten, surgery, young adult, those nachos we found, pet care, thumb wrestling
    TEN-MINUTE: Lifelong friends Seabone and Ogden are high schoolers recovering from recent appendectomies. Bad things happen when they're bored. Zelda Zwieback is tasked with keeping them occupied and from popping their stitches.

    Written and performed as part of Stage Left Theater's 24-hour play festival, Left Overs, in Spokane, Wash. As part of the festival, writers were required to use...
    TEN-MINUTE: Lifelong friends Seabone and Ogden are high schoolers recovering from recent appendectomies. Bad things happen when they're bored. Zelda Zwieback is tasked with keeping them occupied and from popping their stitches.

    Written and performed as part of Stage Left Theater's 24-hour play festival, Left Overs, in Spokane, Wash. As part of the festival, writers were required to use a particular prop; in this instance, a ceramic kitten.

    Directed by Jessica Rempel. Starred Ezra Way as Seabone, Jacob Carruthers as Ogden and Joni Elizabeth as Zelda. Edited to add: I have to say, total credit for Zelda's history as a thumb wrestler came from Joni. When I asked the performers their comfort zones, and if they had any special abilities, Joni - independent of anything - proceeded to tell me how she had been a champion thumb wrestler in school, so good her thumb had its own name: Hank. It was a gift.
  • Paper Chains by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: drama, romantic comedy + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: young adult, high school + 1 more
    Genre: drama, romantic comedy, young audiences
    Keyword: young adult, high school, high school romance
    Izzy asks Morris to the dance. For four high school/YA performers.
  • Pepper Pirates for Life! by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: comedy, fantasy + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: girl power
    Genre: comedy, fantasy, movement/physical, young audiences
    Keyword: girl power
    YA- TEN-MINUTE: Madison, Emma and Aria are eating spicy hot things in rapidly increasing degrees of hotness.

    Then Aria pulls out the ghost peppers.

    Selected for Playwrights' Playground Festival, Stage Left Theatre, Spokane, WA, October 2018.
  • Post-Apocalyptic Brunch by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: adventure, dark comedy + 7 more
    Genre: adventure, dark comedy, drama, experimental, fantasy, political, satire, science fiction, tragedy
    TEN-MINUTE: Four survivors of the great war gather for a final act before dawn.

    Originally written in response to a prompt for the New Wave Theatre Collective.
  • The Quail by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    6
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: marriage, love + 6 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, movement/physical, romantic comedy
    Keyword: marriage, love, adultery, family, aging, time, birds, nature
    TEN-MINUTE: Before they move to Rhode Island, Jillian and Nolan spend one last weekend at Quail Rock. Selected for Northwest Ten Festival in Eugene, Oregon, in March 2018.
  • The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over the Lazy Dog by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: adventure, comedy + 6 more
    ·
    Keyword: pangram, letters of the alphabet + 3 more
    Genre: adventure, comedy, dark comedy, experimental, fable/folktale, fantasy, farce, young audiences
    Keyword: pangram, letters of the alphabet, animals, dogs, fox
    TEN-MINUTE: A quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog ... but why?
  • The Raft by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, experimental + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: dreams, dreaming + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, experimental, fantasy, immersive, movement/physical, romantic comedy
    Keyword: dreams, dreaming, alligator, sleep
    TEN-MINUTE: Killroy can't sleep. Dakota's got this.
  • Round Yon Virgin by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: christmas, naughty comedy + 1 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, holiday
    Keyword: christmas, naughty comedy, coming of age
    TEN-MINUTE: Elise has an unusual request for Santa Claus on behalf of her older brother, Grayson.
  • Salad Bar by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    20
    ·
    Genre: comedy, experimental + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: large cast, young performers + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, experimental, science fiction, young audiences
    Keyword: large cast, young performers, children theater, dinosaurs
    TEN-MINUTE, LARGE YOUTH CAST: Various plant-eating dinosaurs in the Cretaceous Period compete for food.

    Written in reply to a request for a 10-minute play for 20 student performers with roles of equal sizes.

    The title comes from playwright Scott Mullen. I loved his suggestion.
  • Sarsaparilla by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: acting, kissing + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, experimental, movement/physical, romantic comedy
    Keyword: acting, kissing, consent, taboo
    TEN-MINUTE OR SO: Zephyr and Zoey are actors performing a steamy love scene.
  • Sebastian and Chloe by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    6
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: absurdism, aging
    Genre: comedy, drama, experimental, fantasy
    Keyword: absurdism, aging
    TEN-MINUTE: After their 50th wedding anniversary, Sebastian and Chloe find out the truth about how they met.
    Selected for the Spokane Civic Theatre Playwrights Forum Festival in June 2018.
  • Second Kisses by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    ·
    Keyword: kissing, sexy + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    Keyword: kissing, sexy, steamy, short and sweet, beta male, 18th birthday, men and women
    TEN-MINUTE: It's Ian's eighteenth birthday. He and Portia can't seem to stop kissing about it.
  • Selfies & Ladybugs by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, experimental
    ·
    Keyword: good roles for two women, social media + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, experimental
    Keyword: good roles for two women, social media, selfies, insects, ladybugs, entomologist
    TEN-MINUTE: Ramona and Dolores are both trying to get the perfect selfie together.

    Written in an hour for the Nugget Fringe Festival in Grass Valley, CA; January 26, 2019.

    The prompt we received was "Authenticity."

    I had NO idea what I was going to write about, but the prompt e-mail included the word "Selkies," referring to the Celtic mythology...
    TEN-MINUTE: Ramona and Dolores are both trying to get the perfect selfie together.

    Written in an hour for the Nugget Fringe Festival in Grass Valley, CA; January 26, 2019.

    The prompt we received was "Authenticity."

    I had NO idea what I was going to write about, but the prompt e-mail included the word "Selkies," referring to the Celtic mythology about seals coming ashore, shedding their pelts and dancing on the sand.

    My brain READ "Selkie," but started thinking about "selfies," I think. I was also thinking about the concept that people are living their "best lives" on social media, which tapped into the authenticity prompt.

    And my brother (my hero) Steven is an entomologist, so that's where THAT came from.
  • Seven Minutes in Heaven by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: kissing, friendship + 1 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, movement/physical, romantic comedy, young audiences
    Keyword: kissing, friendship, first kiss
    TEN-MINUTE: Jordan McMint wants to be Charlie Donner's first kiss during a game at a party. Charlie's saving his first kiss for Caitlin. Unstoppable force meets immovable object in a closet. Part of the "First Kisses" evening of short plays.

    Selected for the Red Eye 10s International Play Festival, produced on the same day in Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, Colorado, three sites...
    TEN-MINUTE: Jordan McMint wants to be Charlie Donner's first kiss during a game at a party. Charlie's saving his first kiss for Caitlin. Unstoppable force meets immovable object in a closet. Part of the "First Kisses" evening of short plays.

    Selected for the Red Eye 10s International Play Festival, produced on the same day in Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, Colorado, three sites in California, Florida, Ireland and Japan Sept. 30, 2017. Dates for Texas and Germany TBD!
  • Siren's Last Call by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 6 more
    ·
    Keyword: bars, drinking + 6 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, drama, experimental, fable/folktale, fantasy, movement/physical, tragedy
    Keyword: bars, drinking, Alcohol, Greek mythology, men and women, sirens, fate, destiny
    TEN-MINUTE-ISH: Three women drink in a bar after a long, long, long day.
  • Sit Here For the Present: An Appreciation of Beverly Cleary by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: biography, experimental + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: 365 Women A Year Playwriting Project, Beverly Cleary + 7 more
    Genre: biography, experimental, immersive, young audiences
    Keyword: 365 Women A Year Playwriting Project, Beverly Cleary, reading, books, book talks, Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins, women, school
    TEN-MINUTE: Five performers talk about their favorite books written by Beverly Cleary, author of the Ramona Quimby series. Written for the 365 Women a Year Project.
  • Sitting at Home on the Couch, Watching TV in Our Underwear by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 6 more
    ·
    Keyword: alone, Depression + 4 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, experimental, fantasy, horror, immersive, movement/physical, tragedy
    Keyword: alone, Depression, self-loathing, loneliness, men and women, Relationships
    TEN-MINUTEISH: Urchin, Rylie and Zilpha wait for Mike to get home from a long day at work.
  • Skeletons by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: comedy, experimental + 8 more
    ·
    Keyword: halloween, broad comedy
    Genre: comedy, experimental, fantasy, farce, holiday, movement/physical, parody/spoof, satire, science fiction, young audiences
    Keyword: halloween, broad comedy
    TEN-MINUTE: Two skeletons have escaped for the day and found their way to an all-you-can eat pizza buffet.
  • Son of a Sunrise by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: innocence, coming of age + 4 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, fable/folktale, faith-based, period
    Keyword: innocence, coming of age, kissing, strong roles for women, strong roles for young men, strong women
    TEN-MINUTE: Four boys visit the village prostitute.
  • Spots by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, fable/folktale + 6 more
    ·
    Keyword: animals, giraffes + 5 more
    Genre: drama, fable/folktale, faith-based, fantasy, horror, movement/physical, tragedy, young audiences
    Keyword: animals, giraffes, grief, Bible, biblical, plight of refugees, refugees
    TEN-MINUTE: Two giraffes are brought on board Noah's Ark, two by two.

    This play was inspired by a Tweet by @earthdistance on Twitter, listing the Top Ten Bible characters: Number two was "Unnamed female giraffe (Ark)"

    https://twitter.com/earthdistance/status/1019498153018580992
  • The Sweet Smell of a Lavender Field After It Rains by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: senior citizens
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, farce, movement/physical, romantic comedy, young audiences
    Keyword: senior citizens
    TEN-MINUTE: George and Martha spend a quiet evening at home.

    One of 14 (!) short plays read as part of a "Matthew Weaver Special Showcase" July 20-22, 2018 at Ignite! Community Theatre in Spokane Valley, Wash.
  • Toasted Marshmallow Mocha by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental
    ·
    Keyword: reality, society + 4 more
    Genre: drama, experimental
    Keyword: reality, society, Relationships, friendship, making friends, coffee shop
    Our Hero orders a toasted marshmallow mocha at a coffee shop.
  • The Tragedie of Rockford and Almira and the Cat - a Comedie by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: animals, Shakespeare
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, experimental, farce, tragedy, young audiences
    Keyword: animals, Shakespeare
    TEN-MINUTE: Rockford and Almira, two mice, come upon a mousetrap.

    A Shakespearean mouse play. Because ... well, why not?

    Performed as part of Tree City Playhouse 2019 Festival of New Plays in Sylvania, OH, in May 2019.
  • True Love's Kiss by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    7
    ·
    Genre: adventure, comedy + 6 more
    ·
    Keyword: fairy tale, Prince + 5 more
    Genre: adventure, comedy, fable/folktale, fantasy, parody/spoof, romantic comedy, satire, young audiences
    Keyword: fairy tale, Prince, princess, witch, Kiss, true love's kiss, feminist
    TEN-MINUTE: Performed by Liberty Lake Community Theatre as part of New Works Festival, March 2017, in Liberty Lake, Wash..
    Performed by Mad Lab Theatre as part of Theatre Roulette festival, May 2016, in Columbus, Ohio.

    One of 14 (!) short plays read as part of a "Matthew Weaver Special Showcase" July 20-22, 2018 at Ignite! Community Theatre in Spokane Valley, Wash.
    ...
    TEN-MINUTE: Performed by Liberty Lake Community Theatre as part of New Works Festival, March 2017, in Liberty Lake, Wash..
    Performed by Mad Lab Theatre as part of Theatre Roulette festival, May 2016, in Columbus, Ohio.

    One of 14 (!) short plays read as part of a "Matthew Weaver Special Showcase" July 20-22, 2018 at Ignite! Community Theatre in Spokane Valley, Wash.

    Wicked witch Prunetoria has cast a spell on Princess Honeysuckle. Only true love's kiss will wake her up. But there's a catch ...

    It's up to Prince Darling, Prince Dashing and Prince Ruggedly Handsome to ride to Honeysuckle's rescue.

    Meanwhile, on the horizon, another princess is making her way to the castle ...
  • Two Old Men Arguing in the Park Whilst Feeding Pigeons by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: adventure, biography + 12 more
    ·
    Keyword: absurdist, definitely absurdist + 3 more
    Genre: adventure, biography, comedy, dark comedy, drama, experimental, fable/folktale, faith-based, fantasy, farce, movement/physical, romantic comedy, satire, young audiences
    Keyword: absurdist, definitely absurdist, totally absurdist, good roles for older performers, two-actor
    TEN-MINUTE: JJ and Arthur argue in the park whilst feeding pigeons.


    SPOILER:
    *
    *
    *
    *
    *
    *
    *
    **
    *
    *
    **
    *
    *

    *




    Inspired by a January 2018 post on the Official Playwrights of Facebook page where playwright Rand Higbee observed that he had seen many...
    TEN-MINUTE: JJ and Arthur argue in the park whilst feeding pigeons.


    SPOILER:
    *
    *
    *
    *
    *
    *
    *
    **
    *
    *
    **
    *
    *

    *




    Inspired by a January 2018 post on the Official Playwrights of Facebook page where playwright Rand Higbee observed that he had seen many entries in a 10-minute play contest where the most common last or second to last line was "I'm pregnant."

    SOME SMART-ALECK PLAYWRIGHT posted at the time that this gave him a killer ending for his play about two grumpy old men arguing in the park (another common theme in theater). All right, it was me. I was the smart aleck.
  • Under an Iguana Moon by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy
    ·
    Keyword: women, stuffed iguana + 3 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: women, stuffed iguana, motherhood, cool aunt, children's cartoons
    TEN-MINUTE: Written and performed in 24 hours as part of Stage Left Theater's Left Overs Festival in Spokane, Wash., in March 2015. Directed by Juan Mas, starring Aubrey Shimek Davis and Jordan Lannen.

    Avery and Zoey both find Iggy, a stuffed iguana, for the important little girls in their lives, but there's only one. And neither woman is going to let him go.
  • Untitled Stageplay by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    10–15
    ·
    Genre: biography, comedy + 13 more
    ·
    Keyword: absurdist, parenthood + 5 more
    Genre: biography, comedy, commedia dell'arte, dark comedy, drama, experimental, fantasy, farce, horror, immersive, movement/physical, parody/spoof, political, satire, tragedy
    Keyword: absurdist, parenthood, biography, life, parents and children, work, unfulfilled life
    TEN-MINUTE: A stageplay seeks meaning, and to bring meaning to an audience.

    Written April 21, 2019 as part of a month-long challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, NINJAS, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX, ABSORBENCY) to write a one-minute play each day in April 2019.

    The prompt I gave myself was "Untitled Stageplay." Clearly, the concept ran away from me.
  • Utopia Found by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: adventure, drama + 6 more
    ·
    Keyword: good roles for veteran performers, faith + 4 more
    Genre: adventure, drama, experimental, fable/folktale, faith-based, fantasy, political, young audiences
    Keyword: good roles for veteran performers, faith, Bible, religious, religion, Christian
    TEN-MINUTE: The angel Uriel welcomes two travelers home.

    Selected for 2019 New Works Festival, Britches and Hose Theatre Company, Fairfax, VA. January 2019.
  • Variations on a First Kiss by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    ·
    Keyword: kissing, david ives + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, romantic comedy
    Keyword: kissing, david ives, boyfriend, sexual harassment, bad kisser
    TEN-MINUTE: Received Audience Favorite Comedy, Exit 7 Players Theater Short Play Contest in Ludlow, Mass., February 2016.
    Performed as part of Mad Lab Theatre's Theatre Roulette Festival in Columbus, Ohio, May 2016.

    One of 14 (!) short plays read as part of a "Matthew Weaver Special Showcase" July 20-22, 2018 at Ignite! Community Theatre in Spokane Valley, Wash.
    ...
    TEN-MINUTE: Received Audience Favorite Comedy, Exit 7 Players Theater Short Play Contest in Ludlow, Mass., February 2016.
    Performed as part of Mad Lab Theatre's Theatre Roulette Festival in Columbus, Ohio, May 2016.

    One of 14 (!) short plays read as part of a "Matthew Weaver Special Showcase" July 20-22, 2018 at Ignite! Community Theatre in Spokane Valley, Wash.

    Azalea finds out Christopher has never had his first kiss. He proceeds to imagine the many, many ways it could go wrong.
  • Velociraptors in the Garden by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: adventure, comedy + 11 more
    ·
    Keyword: velociraptor, British + 7 more
    Genre: adventure, comedy, dark comedy, drama, experimental, farce, horror, melodrama, parody/spoof, period, satire, science fiction, tragedy
    Keyword: velociraptor, British, sitting room, velociraptors, dinosaurs, family, illegitimate children, English manners, death
    "Downton Abbey" meets "Jurassic Park."

    A ten-minute comedy. Absolutely no redeeming value whatsoever.

    Performed April 2018 as part of Cupcake Lady Productions' Another Taste of Rotten Theatre in Brooklyn, NY.
  • View From the Reef by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: environment, Endangered Species + 6 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, political, young audiences
    Keyword: environment, Endangered Species, pollution, ocean, cauliflower coral, fish, shut-ins, best friends
    TEN-MINUTE: Cauliflower corals Collie and Coral have never left the coral reef. Why would they? But a chance encounter with a deep sea diver has them questioning the future.

    Originally written for the Saving Endangered Species international playwriting contest in 2015.

    My challenge to myself was to write about an invertebrate, and ultimately to try to write the most moving play...
    TEN-MINUTE: Cauliflower corals Collie and Coral have never left the coral reef. Why would they? But a chance encounter with a deep sea diver has them questioning the future.

    Originally written for the Saving Endangered Species international playwriting contest in 2015.

    My challenge to myself was to write about an invertebrate, and ultimately to try to write the most moving play about cauliflower coral possible.

    One of 14 (!) short plays read as part of a "Matthew Weaver Special Showcase" July 20-22, 2018 at Ignite! Community Theatre in Spokane Valley, Wash.

    Performed as part of Harper College's InZone Program, "Stars of the Stage," in Palatine, Ill., in June 2018.
  • Violet Mustard-Brimley, Will You Please Be My First Kiss Please? (If You Should So Choose) by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    4–10
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 9 more
    ·
    Keyword: social media, vlogging + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, drama, experimental, farce, immersive, movement/physical, political, romantic comedy, satire, young audiences
    Keyword: social media, vlogging, good roles for older teens, good roles for women, enviromentally conscious, poison dart frogs, kissing
    TEN-MINUTE PLAY: Vlogger Violet Mustard-Brimley is about to embark on the Blue Kiss No. 35 Challenge! Buy her merch-merch!
  • Wake Us For Flight 2373 by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: drama, immersive + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: airport play, romance + 7 more
    Genre: drama, immersive, movement/physical
    Keyword: airport play, romance, marriage, Relationships, young love, good roles for older women, aging, travel, air travel
    TEN-MINUTE-ISH: An attractive young couple sleeps on the floor of an airport, with a sign saying "WAKE US FOR FLIGHT 2373."

    Married couple Vicky and Lionel come upon them.
  • Willy's Mom Gets in the Car by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, movement/physical + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: two-hander, mothers and sons + 2 more
    Genre: drama, movement/physical, tragedy, young audiences
    Keyword: two-hander, mothers and sons, school violence, Gun safety
    Willy sits in a car outside his school. His mom gets in the car.

    Produced as part of the Town and Gown Theatre's Stillwater Short Play Festival in Stillwater, OK, in May 2019.
  • Windows, Windows, Trees by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: drama, faith-based
    ·
    Keyword: medical, hopeful
    Genre: drama, faith-based
    Keyword: medical, hopeful
    TEN-MINUTE: Sam and Elisa keep each other company during chemotherapy.

    Title prompt by Emily Hageman.
  • Witch, Heart, Paper by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    6–10
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 6 more
    ·
    Keyword: No Dialogue, erotic + 6 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, experimental, fantasy, horror, movement/physical, romantic comedy, satire
    Keyword: No Dialogue, erotic, romance, Fantasy, red construction paper, sensuous, good roles for women, good roles for young men
    TEN-MINUTE: Tristan just wants to make copies for his beloved Blue Lavender. Three witches have other ideas.

    Originally written as a submission for The Impostors Theatre's Footholds program. The requirement was to incorporate a three-foot stack of red construction paper as a prop.
  • X is for Xylophone by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: letters of the alphabet, The letter X + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, experimental, melodrama, movement/physical, parody/spoof
    Keyword: letters of the alphabet, The letter X, XXX, quirky, experimental, experimental dark comedy
    TEN-MINUTE: Wealthy Xanthia and Xander live in the "X" house on a popular children's TV show, Alphabet Train. They're used to not being used very often. X is the 23rd most used letter, after all.
    But the Alphabet Train hasn't stopped by their mansion in six weeks, leaving Xanthia and Xander to suspect they've been ex-iled from the rest of the alphabet.
  • You Can't Kiss Me But I Can Kiss You by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: adventure, biography + 7 more
    ·
    Keyword: kissing, romance + 6 more
    Genre: adventure, biography, dark comedy, experimental, fantasy, horror, movement/physical, romantic comedy, tragedy
    Keyword: kissing, romance, Tragic Romance, love, affection, steamy, seduction, sexual politics
    TEN-MINUTE: Vanessa has rules for Cody.
  • 1,001 Flavors by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 6 more
    ·
    Keyword: ice cream, ice cream truck + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, drama, experimental, fable/folktale, fantasy, farce, movement/physical
    Keyword: ice cream, ice cream truck, food, out of ice cream, flavors, exotic flavors
    FIVE-MINUTES OR LESS: Character A is just sitting there, innocently, when Character B appears and offers to sell many exotic flavors of ice cream.

    Written April 25, 2019, as part of a month-long challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, NINJAS, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX, ABSORBENCY) to write a one-minute play each day in April 2019. The prompt we received was "Out of ice cream," by Kip Stolberg.
  • Atmosphere by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: adventure, dark comedy + 13 more
    ·
    Keyword: space, friendship + 3 more
    Genre: adventure, dark comedy, drama, experimental, faith-based, fantasy, horror, movement/physical, mystery/thriller, political, romantic comedy, satire, science fiction, tragedy, young audiences
    Keyword: space, friendship, stars, earth, atmosphere
    SHORT: Nothing much. Holly and Jennifer are just hanging out at the edge of the earth's atmosphere.

    Written April 9, 2019, as part of a month-long challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, NINJAS, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX, ABSORBENCY) to write a one-minute play each day in April 2019.
  • Blue Frogs by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 10 more
    ·
    Keyword: blue poison dart frogs, frogs + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, experimental, fable/folktale, fantasy, farce, immersive, movement/physical, romantic comedy, science fiction, tragedy, young audiences
    Keyword: blue poison dart frogs, frogs, animals, environment, nature, mating
    SHORT: Ah, spring! When a young frog's fancy turns to thoughts of ...
  • Cacophony by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    5–20
    ·
    Genre: commedia dell'arte, docudrama/historic + 11 more
    ·
    Keyword: society, life + 7 more
    Genre: commedia dell'arte, docudrama/historic, drama, experimental, fable/folktale, fantasy, horror, immersive, melodrama, movement/physical, political, satire, tragedy
    Keyword: society, life, Depression, sadness, current events, self-care, finding oneself, Relationships, friendships
    SHORT: Many performers on stage search for answers. Very experimental.
  • Confidence Boost by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: Relationships, friendship + 1 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, movement/physical, romantic comedy
    Keyword: Relationships, friendship, Valentine's Day
    TEN-MINUTE OR LESS: Ivy helps neighbor Houle tie his tie before a big date.

    One of 14 (!) short plays read as part of a "Matthew Weaver Special Showcase" July 20-22, 2018 at Ignite! Community Theatre in Spokane Valley, Wash.
  • Eoteltsim by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: reverse, christmas + 2 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, experimental, holiday, romantic comedy
    Keyword: reverse, christmas, kissing, infidelity
    ONE-MINUTE: Barney introduces his younger brother and his fiancee to each other at a Christmas party. But they've already met ...
  • Grandmother's Ring by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: Relationships, toxic male
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, horror
    Keyword: Relationships, toxic male
    FIVE-MINUTE: Holly and Stanley are glad to have Stanley's grandmother's approval before their wedding day.

    Selected for Kansas City Horror Play Festival in Kansas City, Missouri, in October 2018.
  • New Mistakes by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: adventure, comedy + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: online dating, kissing + 6 more
    Genre: adventure, comedy, romantic comedy
    Keyword: online dating, kissing, texting, balding, dating, comfort zone, first kiss, texting while driving
    FIVE-MINUTE: Selected for Cone Man Running Productions' Five-Minute Mile Play Festival November 2016 in Houston, Texas.

    One of 14 (!) short plays read as part of a "Matthew Weaver Special Showcase" July 20-22, 2018 at Ignite! Community Theatre in Spokane Valley, Wash.

    Wally and Sam are two lonely hearts giving love a second chance. They're meeting in person for...
    FIVE-MINUTE: Selected for Cone Man Running Productions' Five-Minute Mile Play Festival November 2016 in Houston, Texas.

    One of 14 (!) short plays read as part of a "Matthew Weaver Special Showcase" July 20-22, 2018 at Ignite! Community Theatre in Spokane Valley, Wash.

    Wally and Sam are two lonely hearts giving love a second chance. They're meeting in person for the first time. Via text, Wally sends Sam a suggestion ...

    Part of the "First Kisses" evening of one-acts.
  • Reading Xinran by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental
    ·
    Keyword: reading, literature + 6 more
    Genre: drama, experimental
    Keyword: reading, literature, History, library, Chinese literature, China, Tibet, books
    FIVE-MINUTE: Brooke is reading Sky Burial, by Xue Xinran, at Mortimer's recommendation.

    I, too, read Sky Burial and thoroughly enjoyed it. For this play, I wanted to write something that captured both my enthusiasm for the book and a general enthusiasm for books, reading and sharing books with a fellow book enthusiast.
  • Rugburn by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, experimental + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: halloween, evil clowns + 5 more
    Genre: dark comedy, experimental, holiday, horror, tragedy
    Keyword: halloween, evil clowns, childhood trauma, clowns, Terror, movie monsters, audience interactive
    FIVE TO TEN-MINUTE-ISH: An evil clown asks young Cole for a simple favor: A genuine smile.

    Selected for production as part of the Memoriam Theatre's Nightshade anthology of horror in DeKalb, Illinois, in July 2018.

    Backstory: In college I got the chance to write a paper about evil clowns for a Monsters in Literature/Film class. (Thanks, The Joker and Stephen King!) Years...
    FIVE TO TEN-MINUTE-ISH: An evil clown asks young Cole for a simple favor: A genuine smile.

    Selected for production as part of the Memoriam Theatre's Nightshade anthology of horror in DeKalb, Illinois, in July 2018.

    Backstory: In college I got the chance to write a paper about evil clowns for a Monsters in Literature/Film class. (Thanks, The Joker and Stephen King!) Years later, a competition put out requests for scripts that reflect and ponder on the nature of certain monsters. My monster of choice was immediate, and I got to put my research to good use.
  • The Woodpecker and the Witch by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, experimental + 9 more
    ·
    Keyword: horror, kissing + 7 more
    Genre: dark comedy, experimental, fable/folktale, fantasy, holiday, horror, immersive, melodrama, movement/physical, mystery/thriller, tragedy
    Keyword: horror, kissing, romance, childhood monsters, witches, birds, woodpeckers, childhood memories, Passion
    FIVE-MINUTE: During a passionate interlude, B bids A tell stories from their childhood.
  • Alistair Eats Alone by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: Valentine's Day, dating + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, experimental, holiday, movement/physical
    Keyword: Valentine's Day, dating, couples, single, Relationships
    TEN-MINUTE MONOLOGUE: Alistair Caulfield dines in a restaurant full of couples, talking to himself. A monologue.

    Performed in Self to Selfie; San Francisco, CA. February 2018.
  • The Back of the Mona Lisa by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: experimental
    ·
    Keyword: Art and Artists, Mona Lisa + 2 more
    Genre: experimental
    Keyword: Art and Artists, Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci, History
    MONOLOGUE: The back of the world's most famous painting tells her side of the story.
  • Bobby Quince Enters Adulthood by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: coming of age, women + 4 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, movement/physical
    Keyword: coming of age, women, boys, boys and girls, young men, monologues for young women
    MONOLOGUE: Bobby Quince has his first experience with adulthood. Performed by a young woman.
  • Bridget in the Pool (a monologue) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: good roles for a young man, men and women + 5 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, melodrama, movement/physical
    Keyword: good roles for a young man, men and women, friends, romance, drinking, social drinking, pool safety
    MONOLOGUE: Emmett's friend Bridget has been partying. He's brought her home safe and sound.

    Then Bridget gets in the pool.

    Emmett can't swim.

    Written Feb. 13, 2019, as part of a monthlong challenge to write a monologue each day in February 2019, inspired by the monologues of Asher Wyndham.

    Prompt came from Scott Mullen (NINJAS, THE PEEK...
    MONOLOGUE: Emmett's friend Bridget has been partying. He's brought her home safe and sound.

    Then Bridget gets in the pool.

    Emmett can't swim.

    Written Feb. 13, 2019, as part of a monthlong challenge to write a monologue each day in February 2019, inspired by the monologues of Asher Wyndham.

    Prompt came from Scott Mullen (NINJAS, THE PEEK, 172 PUSH-UPS), who suggested "Guy trying to get the courage to jump in a swimming pool."
  • Confession of a Modern Soap Opera Bride by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: comedy, experimental + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: weddings, brides + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, experimental, farce
    Keyword: weddings, brides, wedding dress, actress, soap opera
    MONOLOGUE: Zinnia, a soap opera actress, reflects on all the wedding dresses she's worn on the day of yet another TV wedding.

    Performed as part of the Fast & Furious one-minute play festival at Stage Left Theatre in Spokane, WA in March 2019; directed by Kearney Jordan
  • Enter Bruce, Dragging His Mother-in-Law's Body by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: monologue fun monologues for actors, fathers + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, farce, horror, movement/physical
    Keyword: monologue fun monologues for actors, fathers, husbands, Mother-in-Law, back pain, fun dads, dads
    MONOLOGUE: Bruce enters the stage, dragging the dead body of his mother-in-law. A monologue, written for the NYC Playwright's Write a Monologue For Me program in September 2017.
  • Extra Anchovies (a monologue) by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: pizza delivery, pizza + 5 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, immersive, movement/physical, tragedy
    Keyword: pizza delivery, pizza, jobs, money matters, insurance, medicine, medicine costs
    MONOLOGUE: Bryce, a pizza delivery person, is back on West Hyacinth Lane, looking for a particular address.

    Written Feb. 28, 2019, successfully concluding a month-long challenge to myself, inspired by the monologues of Asher Wyndham, to write a monologue each day in the month of February 2019.
  • Fart (a monologue) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 5 more
    ·
    Keyword: farts, Farting + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, docudrama/historic, experimental, fantasy, movement/physical, young audiences
    Keyword: farts, Farting, bodily functions, humor, Bathroom Humor, fart jokes
    MONOLOGUE: A fart takes to the stage.

    Written Feb. 16, 2019, as part of my personal challenge to myself, inspired by the monologues of Asher Wyndham, to write a monologue a day during the month of February 2019.
  • The Gospel According to the Snake (a monologue) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: biography, comedy + 13 more
    ·
    Keyword: Bible, Book of Genesis + 7 more
    Genre: biography, comedy, dark comedy, docudrama/historic, experimental, fable/folktale, faith-based, fantasy, farce, holiday, immersive, movement/physical, satire, tragedy, young audiences
    Keyword: Bible, Book of Genesis, adam and eve, garden of eden, snake, herpetology, religious, monologue, religion
    MONOLOGUE: The events of the Book of Genesis from the serpent's perspective.
  • Guy Slips in the Shower (a monologue) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 5 more
    ·
    Keyword: living alone, single guy + 3 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, experimental, horror, immersive, movement/physical, tragedy
    Keyword: living alone, single guy, Bachelor, injured, lonely
    MONOLOGUE: A guy, perhaps named Guy, has fallen in the shower.


    Wrote Feb. 6, 2019 as part of my challenge to myself to write a monologue a day for the month of February, 2019, inspired by the monologues of Asher Wyndam.

  • Haunted House (a monologue) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 6 more
    ·
    Keyword: Haunted House, ghosts + 5 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, experimental, faith-based, holiday, horror, movement/physical, tragedy
    Keyword: Haunted House, ghosts, ghosts of the past, any performer, halloween, spooky, faith vs. science
    MONOLOGUE: Any performer stands in a haunted house.

    Written Feb. 17, 2019, as part of my personal challenge to myself, inspired by the monologues of Asher Wyndham, to write a monologue each day for the month of February 2019.

    Performed as part of Gi60 in Brooklyn, NY, in June 2019.
  • Hyrax Kid by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: comedy, movement/physical + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: animals, Endangered Species + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, movement/physical, young audiences
    Keyword: animals, Endangered Species, youth, environment
    YOUTH MONOLOGUE: An homage of sorts to Asher Wyndham and his ___ Kid series, with more than a dash of my own Walla Walla sweet onion play, ONION ODE.

    A young performer gives a report on "official spokesanimal" the hyrax, a small mammal with a surprising relative or two.
  • Jesus at 3 Weeks (a monologue) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: docudrama/historic, drama + 6 more
    ·
    Keyword: monologue, religion + 7 more
    Genre: docudrama/historic, drama, experimental, faith-based, holiday, movement/physical, period, young audiences
    Keyword: monologue, religion, Catholic, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Virgin Mary, Baby Jesus, motherhood, Mothers
    MONOLOGUE: The Virgin Mary rocks her child, who will not stop crying.

    Written Feb. 18, 2019, as part of my personal challenge to myself, inspired by the monologues of Asher Wyndham, to write a monologue each day in the month of February 2019.

    Part of the "Jesus at 10" evening of short plays.
  • Jesus at 10 (a monologue for youth) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic + 8 more
    ·
    Keyword: youth monologue, biblical + 6 more
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic, drama, experimental, faith-based, holiday, immersive, movement/physical, pageant, young audiences
    Keyword: youth monologue, biblical, historical, faith, religion, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, nativity
    YOUTH MONOLOGUE: We are greeted by a 10-year-old working in their father's shop.

    Written Feb. 12, 2019, as part of my monthlong challenge to myself to write a monologue each day for the month of February 2019. Inspired by the monologues of Asher Wyndham.

    Part of the "Jesus at 10" evening of short plays.
  • Les Pamplemousses (a monologue in 12 courses) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 7
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: food, food and sex + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, experimental, immersive, movement/physical, romantic comedy
    Keyword: food, food and sex, Relationships, men and women, good roles for a young man, money
    MONOLOGUE/ONE-MAN SHOW: A young man lost his virginity last night. This morning, he takes the woman out to breakfast at one of the fanciest restaurants in the United States for a 12-course meal.

    Written Feb. 4, 2019, as part of my challenge to myself, inspired by the monologues of Asher Wyndham, to write a monologue each day for the entire month.
  • Nacho Chip Kid (a monologue for youth) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, experimental + 3 more
    Genre: dark comedy, experimental, immersive, movement/physical, young audiences
    MONOLOGUE, KIND OF: Someone is a little too fond of Samuel Beckett.

    Written Feb. 25, 2019, as part of my personal challenge to myself, inspired by the monologues of Asher Wyndham, to write a monologue each day for the month of February 2019.
  • Odelia Savannah Tucker, Dog Food Taster (a monologue) by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: adventure, comedy + 5 more
    ·
    Keyword: animals, dog lovers + 3 more
    Genre: adventure, comedy, docudrama/historic, drama, experimental, movement/physical, young audiences
    Keyword: animals, dog lovers, pets, jobs, dream jobs
    MONOLOGUE: Odelia Savannah Tucker is living her dream job. But she has a new vision. Will you help her?

    Written Feb. 15, 2019, as part of my personal challenge to myself to write a monologue each day for the month of February 2019, inspired by the monologues of Asher Wyndham.

    In more ways than one. For today, Asher and I swapped title prompts for our monologues. He gave me ODELIA...
    MONOLOGUE: Odelia Savannah Tucker is living her dream job. But she has a new vision. Will you help her?

    Written Feb. 15, 2019, as part of my personal challenge to myself to write a monologue each day for the month of February 2019, inspired by the monologues of Asher Wyndham.

    In more ways than one. For today, Asher and I swapped title prompts for our monologues. He gave me ODELIA SAVANNAH TUCKER, DOG FOOD TASTER and I gave him ...
  • Onion Ode by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 8
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: docudrama/historic, experimental + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: Walla Walla sweet onion, agriculture + 3 more
    Genre: docudrama/historic, experimental, farce, immersive, young audiences
    Keyword: Walla Walla sweet onion, agriculture, monologues for young actors, vegetables, farm
    YOUTH MONOLOGUE: A young performer, dressed as a Walla Walla sweet onion, delivers a report on the vegetable, produced in a specific region in Washington State.


    Revised spring of 2018.

    Selected for Northwest Ten Festival, Eugene, OR; March 2019.

    GLOWING review from the Eugene Weekly newspaper, by Dan Buckwalter: https://www.eugeneweekly.com/2019/03/07/got-10-...
    YOUTH MONOLOGUE: A young performer, dressed as a Walla Walla sweet onion, delivers a report on the vegetable, produced in a specific region in Washington State.


    Revised spring of 2018.

    Selected for Northwest Ten Festival, Eugene, OR; March 2019.

    GLOWING review from the Eugene Weekly newspaper, by Dan Buckwalter: https://www.eugeneweekly.com/2019/03/07/got-10-minutes/

    "The show stealer, Onion Ode, is a spirited tribute to the Walla Walla sweet onion, courtesy of playwright Matthew Weaver, director Kari Boldon Welch and the Walla Walla sweet onion herself (dressed for the part, too), actress Hannah Oristano.

    Oristano steps onto the stage dressed as the sweet yellow onion complete with green stems on her head. She’s a middle schooler giving a book report on the Walla Walla sweet onion.

    Breathlessly, Oristano launches into the history of the sweet onion and Walla Walla’s prideful place as the land of the sweet onion. She dives into food preparation for the sweet onion (sautéed in butter and plopped on top of hamburgers is my favorite) and mocks other vegetables (including, correctly, beets).

    Her report is a witty, educational tip of the cap to Walla Walla, population 31,731, tucked away in southeast Washington.

    Weaver, the playwright whose work this year makes a second consecutive appearance at OCT’s NW10, comes by his knowledge of the Walla Walla sweet onion honestly.

    A native of Spokane, Weaver is a reporter for Capital Press, an agriculture newspaper serving the Pacific Northwest. I would bet he’s stepped inside the annual Sweet Onion Festival in Walla Walla more than once."
  • Reach Out (a monologue) by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: commedia dell'arte, drama + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: monologue, friendship + 4 more
    Genre: commedia dell'arte, drama, experimental, immersive, movement/physical
    Keyword: monologue, friendship, loneliness, loneliness and isolation, social media, friends and family
    MONOLOGUE: Guy tries to connect with his friends.

    Written Feb. 19, 2019, as part of my personal challenge to myself, inspired by the monologues of Asher Wyndham, to write a monologue each day for the month of February 2019.
  • Single and Ready to Jingle (a monologue) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: comedy, fantasy + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: holiday, christmas + 2 more
    Genre: comedy, fantasy, holiday, romantic comedy
    Keyword: holiday, christmas, online dating, Relationships
    MONOLOGUE: It's hard to date. It's hard to date online. But it's especially hard when you're an elf at the North Pole working in Santa's workshop.

    Written the morning of Feb. 8, 2019 as part of my challenge to myself, inspired by the monologues of Asher Wyndham, to write a monologue a day for the month of February 2019.
  • Smackeroo by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: comedy, experimental + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: Valentine's Day, kissing
    Genre: comedy, experimental, holiday, immersive, romantic comedy
    Keyword: Valentine's Day, kissing
    A monologue, narrated by the first kiss shared by a couple. Selected for Monologue-A-Looza February 2018 in Hollywood, CA.
  • Taking His Virginity (a monologue) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: Sex, sex-positive + 5 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, immersive
    Keyword: Sex, sex-positive, Relationships, society, women, virginity, kissing
    MONOLOGUE: A young woman talks about being a young man's first time.

    Written Feb. 3, 2019, as part of a personal challenge to myself - inspired by the monologues of Asher Wyndham - to write a monologue a day for the entire month of February 2019.
  • The Unrelenting Cruelty of Candy Corn by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 8 more
    ·
    Keyword: halloween, candy corn
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, fable/folktale, farce, holiday, horror, political, satire, science fiction, tragedy
    Keyword: halloween, candy corn
    MONOLOGUE: A candy corn unveils diabolical plans for global domination. The scary thing is, it could actually work ...

    Selected for Halloween Monologue-A-Looza at Samuel French Hollywood Bookstore in Hollywood, CA, in October 2018.
  • The Woman and the Spoon (a monologue) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 6
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: faith-based, religion + 4 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, experimental, faith-based
    Keyword: faith-based, religion, church, faith, Catholic, female monologue
    MONOLOGUE: Woman comes into church, brandishing a big metal spoon.

    Published by Cascadia Rising Review magazine, June 2019.

    Written Feb. 2, 2019, as part of a personal writing challenge to myself - inspired by the monologues of Asher Wyndham - to write a monologue a day during the month of February 2019.

    Sitting in church one time, our priest told us during his...
    MONOLOGUE: Woman comes into church, brandishing a big metal spoon.

    Published by Cascadia Rising Review magazine, June 2019.

    Written Feb. 2, 2019, as part of a personal writing challenge to myself - inspired by the monologues of Asher Wyndham - to write a monologue a day during the month of February 2019.

    Sitting in church one time, our priest told us during his homily about a woman he knew who would come into church and shake a large metal spoon up at Jesus on the cross. The priest joked about staying away from her because he was afraid she'd be struck by lightning, but I loved the story. I understood where she was coming from.
  • The Woman Behind/In Front of Me in the 15 Items or Less Line at Wal-Mart (a monologue) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: biography, drama + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: women, grocery store + 2 more
    Genre: biography, drama, experimental, movement/physical
    Keyword: women, grocery store, 15 items or less, Wal-Mart
    MONOLOGUE: A woman asks if she can get in front of you in line. She just has the one item.

    Written Feb. 1, 2019, as a personal challenge to myself - inspired by the monologues of Asher Wyndham - to write a monologue a day for the month of February 2019. This one is based on a true event.
  • Your Hand on My Cheek (a monologue) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 1 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, immersive
    MONOLOGUE: For any performer.

    Written Feb. 11, 2019, as part of my personal challenge to myself to write a monologue per day, inspired by the monologues of Asher Wyndham.
  • 5 Ws (a one-minute play) by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: two-hander, kissing + 5 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, romantic comedy, tragedy, young audiences
    Keyword: two-hander, kissing, consent, Star-crossed, missed connections, awkward romance, romance
    ONE-MINUTE-ISH: Walter and Wendy demonstrate the 5 Ws of kissing.

    Written April 7, 2019, as part of a month-long challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX, ABSORBENCY) to write a one-minute play each day in April 2019.
  • A Blank Stage by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    4
    ·
    Genre: adventure, experimental + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: family, children and parents + 1 more
    Genre: adventure, experimental, faith-based, immersive, young audiences
    Keyword: family, children and parents, LGBTQ
    ONE-MINUTE: A blank stage.

    Our characters have more important things to do.
  • Animal Kingdom (a one-minute play) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    4–1000000000
    ·
    Genre: adventure, drama + 8 more
    ·
    Keyword: animals, animal kingdom + 4 more
    Genre: adventure, drama, experimental, fable/folktale, faith-based, fantasy, immersive, movement/physical, tragedy, young audiences
    Keyword: animals, animal kingdom, lions, unproducible, pets, death of a pet
    ONE-MINUTE PLAY: All the animals of the world gather outside a house in a city.

    Unproducible.

    "It is my goal to write at least one unproducible play every year." - Emma Goldman-Sherman (playwright of FUKT, WHORTICULTURE, TOILET PAPER and DATE NIGHT?)

    Written as part of a monthlong challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX,...
    ONE-MINUTE PLAY: All the animals of the world gather outside a house in a city.

    Unproducible.

    "It is my goal to write at least one unproducible play every year." - Emma Goldman-Sherman (playwright of FUKT, WHORTICULTURE, TOILET PAPER and DATE NIGHT?)

    Written as part of a monthlong challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX, ABSORBENCY) to write a one-minute play each day in April 2019.

    The prompt I gave Scott was that the play had to have at least one hundred individual characters.
  • BBQ (a one-minute play) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: grief, Mourning + 7 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, faith-based, movement/physical, young audiences
    Keyword: grief, Mourning, two-hander, siblings, food, potato chips, brothers, death, family
    ONE-MINUTE: Two brothers sit down to eat hamburgers.

    Written April 3, 2019, as part of a month-long challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX, ABSORBENCY) to write a one-minute play each day in April 2019.

    Scott gave us the prompt that the play had to involve potato chips.
  • Beyond the Pail (a one-minute play) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: adventure, comedy + 11 more
    Genre: adventure, comedy, dark comedy, drama, experimental, fable/folktale, fantasy, horror, melodrama, movement/physical, mystery/thriller, science fiction, young audiences
    ONE-MINUTE: Two kidnapping victims plot to escape their captor.

    Written April 23, 2019, as part of a month-long challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, NINJAS, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX, ABSORBENCY) to write a one-minute play each day in April 2019.

    Scott's prompt for me today was: A bucket.
  • Child A & Child B (a one-minute play for youth) by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: children, good roles for young performers + 2 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, fable/folktale, immersive, movement/physical, young audiences
    Keyword: children, good roles for young performers, deep friendship, friendship
    YOUTH ONE-MINUTE: Child A is sad. Child B has their back.

    Written in the wee hours for April 27, 2019, part of a month-long challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, NINJAS, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX, ABSORBENCY) to write a one-minute play each day in April 2019.
  • Confession (a one-minute play) by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: adventure, drama + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: romance, confession + 3 more
    Genre: adventure, drama, experimental, melodrama, romantic comedy, young audiences
    Keyword: romance, confession, two-hander, good roles for women, good roles for men
    ONE-MINUTE PLAY.

    Written April 16, 2019, as part of a month-long challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, NINJAS, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX, ABSORBENCY) to write a one-minute play each day in April 2019.
  • Crayons (a one-minute play) by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: crayons, couple + 1 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, drama, movement/physical, romantic comedy, tragedy
    Keyword: crayons, couple, art
    ONE-MINUTE: Frankie uses crayons to share the news of the day.

    Written April 11, 2019, as part of a month-long challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX, ABSORBENCY) to write a one-minute play each day in April 2019.
  • Debt (a one-minute play) by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: adventure, comedy + 11 more
    ·
    Keyword: Debt, pecuniary + 5 more
    Genre: adventure, comedy, dark comedy, drama, experimental, faith-based, fantasy, farce, holiday, horror, immersive, melodrama, movement/physical
    Keyword: Debt, pecuniary, money matters, financial stress, financial struggles, Birthday Clown, clowns
    ONE-MINUTE: Gretchen owes Liz money. Every day she can't pay, the debt gets a little higher.

    Written April 18, 2019, as part of a month-long challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, NINJAS, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX, ABSORBENCY) to write a one-minute play each day in April 2019.

    Used a Tweet by Stephen Gregg (@playwrightnow) on Twitter as a prompt: "Easy way to raise...
    ONE-MINUTE: Gretchen owes Liz money. Every day she can't pay, the debt gets a little higher.

    Written April 18, 2019, as part of a month-long challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, NINJAS, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX, ABSORBENCY) to write a one-minute play each day in April 2019.

    Used a Tweet by Stephen Gregg (@playwrightnow) on Twitter as a prompt: "Easy way to raise the stakes of a scene. Take a private conflict and give it an audience."
  • Erotica for People Separated by Time and Space (a one-minute play) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: erotica, poetry + 4 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, immersive, tragedy
    Keyword: erotica, poetry, two-hander, steamy, artistic, experimental
    ONE-MINUTE.

    Written April 14, 2019, as part of a month-long challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX, ABSORBENCY) to write a one-minute play each day in April 2019.
  • Erotica for People Smashed Together in Cramped, Uncomfortable Spaces (a one-minute play) by Matthew Weaver
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: two-hander, sensuous + 4 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, experimental, fantasy, immersive, movement/physical
    Keyword: two-hander, sensuous, steamy, cramped, uncomfortable, tight spaces
    ONE-MINUTE: A young man and young woman read erotica from a cramped, uncomfortable place to one another.

    Written April 28, 2019, as part of a month-long challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, NINJAS, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX, ABSORBENCY) to write a one-minute play each day in April 2019.
  • Life & Death & PB&J by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 5
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama + 8 more
    ·
    Keyword: Sandwich, lunch + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, drama, experimental, fantasy, farce, horror, immersive, movement/physical, tragedy, young audiences
    Keyword: Sandwich, lunch, food, bread, PB&J, two-hander
    ONE-MINUTE: Someone makes a sandwich.

    Written April 1, 2019 (I got too excited and didn't want to lose the momentum) as part of a month-long challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX, ABSORBENCY) to write a one-minute play each day in April 2019.

    The prompt I gave Scott was that a character needed to eat a sandwich.
  • Pickle Jar (a one-minute play) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 7 more
    ·
    Keyword: two-hander, pickles + 4 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, drama, experimental, fantasy, horror, movement/physical, mystery/thriller, young audiences
    Keyword: two-hander, pickles, pickle jar, good versus evil, Pandora's box, Myths
    ONE-MINUTE: Two characters enter, holding a pickle jar.

    Written April 19, 2019, as part of a month-long challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, NINJAS, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX, ABSORBENCY) to write a one-minute play each day in April 2019.
  • Pin the Tail (a one-minute play) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 6 more
    ·
    Keyword: pin the tail, two-hander + 5 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, experimental, fantasy, holiday, movement/physical, mystery/thriller, romantic comedy
    Keyword: pin the tail, two-hander, romance, kissing, party, blindfold, steamy
    ONE-MINUTE: Gretchen blindfolds Bobby for a game of Pin the Tail on the Donkey.

    Written April 4, 2019, as part of a month-long challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX, ABSORBENCY) to write a one-minute play each day in April 2019.
  • Quite by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: adventure, comedy + 7 more
    ·
    Keyword: Q, words that begin with Q + 3 more
    Genre: adventure, comedy, drama, experimental, fantasy, farce, parody/spoof, period, romantic comedy
    Keyword: Q, words that begin with Q, Queen, quake, queendom
    One-minute play. Uses only words that begin with the letter "Q" for dialogue.

    Performed in January 2016 during the Fast and Furious one-minute play festival at Stage Left Theater in Spokane, Wash.
  • The Skunk (a one-minute play) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 6 more
    ·
    Keyword: guns in school, school shooting + 7 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, horror, immersive, movement/physical, political, tragedy, young audiences
    Keyword: guns in school, school shooting, gun violence, innocence, children and guns, teacher, strong woman, good role for a young woman, teachers
    ONE-MINUTE MONOLOGUE: Violet is teaching her kindergarten class when a chime signals an active shooter on school grounds.

    Written April 8, 2019, as part of a month-long challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX, ABSORBENCY) to write a one-minute play each day in April 2019.

    This is inspired by a second-hand story I heard about a local lockdown...
    ONE-MINUTE MONOLOGUE: Violet is teaching her kindergarten class when a chime signals an active shooter on school grounds.

    Written April 8, 2019, as part of a month-long challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX, ABSORBENCY) to write a one-minute play each day in April 2019.

    This is inspired by a second-hand story I heard about a local lockdown situation. The young children of a friend of an acquaintance excitedly told their daddy later that day that a skunk had been on the school grounds.

    Performed as part of Gi60 in Brooklyn, NY, in June 2019.
  • Spokane Beauty (a one-minute play) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    30
    ·
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic + 7 more
    ·
    Keyword: Spokane, one day + 6 more
    Genre: biography, docudrama/historic, drama, experimental, fable/folktale, faith-based, immersive, period, political
    Keyword: Spokane, one day, day in the life, city living, love, death, romance, homeless teens
    ONE-MINUTE-ISH: A farmer shows a woman an heirloom apple variety from the 1890s, called Spokane Beauty, which leads to a whirlwind look at life in a single day in Spokane, WA.

    Written April 29, 2019, in Spokane, WA (naturally), as part of a month-long challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, NINJAS, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX, ABSORBENCY) to write a one-minute play each day in April 2019.
  • Trevor Never Never Ever by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: experimental, movement/physical + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: kissing, steamy
    Genre: experimental, movement/physical, romantic comedy
    Keyword: kissing, steamy
    SHORT: Trevor Never has never ever.
  • Want by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    1
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: monologue for women, the letter W + 4 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, political
    Keyword: monologue for women, the letter W, women's rights, women's issues, one-woman, One-minute
    ONE-MINUTE: Wendy delivers a speech.

    Uses only words that begin with W for dialogue.

    Part of the AND SOMETIMES Y evening of very short plays in alphabetical order.

    Reading, The Players Follies Play Reading Festival; Sarasota, FL; October 2018
  • The Wish by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 5 more
    ·
    Keyword: birthday, Relationships + 1 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, drama, experimental, fantasy, holiday, romantic comedy
    Keyword: birthday, Relationships, kissing
    ONE-MINUTE: Colton makes a familiar birthday wish as Lydia looks on.

    A one-minute play. Originally performed January 2017 as part of Stage Left Theater's Fast and Furious festival in Spokane. Wash.

    Selected for Gi60 U.S. festival in June 2018 in New York.
  • The Word by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 2
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: drama, faith-based
    ·
    Keyword: husbands and wives, health + 2 more
    Genre: drama, faith-based
    Keyword: husbands and wives, health, marriage, family medical problems
    ONE-MINUTE: Fred and Ruth wait for word.

    One-minute play, performed by Stage Left Theatre, Spokane, Wash., in February 2018.
  • Wry (a one-minute play) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 2 more
    ·
    Keyword: two-hander, friends + 5 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, experimental, young audiences
    Keyword: two-hander, friends, wry, wryly, sarcasm, humor, wordplay
    ONE-MINUTE: Jordan observes Riley trying to be more wry.

    Written April 6, 2019, as part of a month-long challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX, ABSORBENCY) to write a one-minute play each day in April 2019.
  • X by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 3
    ·
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 6 more
    ·
    Keyword: The letter X, alphabet + 1 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, experimental, farce, melodrama, movement/physical, mystery/thriller, young audiences
    Keyword: The letter X, alphabet, shady characters
    ONE-MINUTE: A very short play only using words that begin with the letter X for dialogue.

    Xerxes comes upon the mysterious Mr. X in a park, looking to make a sale. But Xerxes has his own agenda ...

    Part of the "And Sometimes Y" evening of very short plays in alphabetical order.
  • Yellow Cardinal (a one-minute play) by Matthew Weaver
    Recommendations: 4
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: adventure, dark comedy + 4 more
    ·
    Keyword: birdwatchers, romance + 6 more
    Genre: adventure, dark comedy, drama, movement/physical, romantic comedy, tragedy
    Keyword: birdwatchers, romance, birds, birdwatching, cardinals, birders, couples, mismatched couples
    ONE-MINUTE: Tad and Jackie are wandering a field, looking for the rare, one in a million yellow cardinal.

    Written April 2, 2019, as part of a month-long challenge with playwright Scott Mullen (THE PEEK, 172 PUSH-UPS, SANDBOX, ABSORBENCY) to write a one-minute play each day in April 2019.