Royalty-Free One-Acts
By downloading a script, you agree to obtain permission from CRY HAVOC for any production of the play by emailing oneacts@cryhavoccompany.org, to credit the playwright in all promotional material and programs, and to include the following text in all promotional materials and programs: "[Title of play] was developed with The CRY HAVOC Company (www.cryhavoccompany.org)."
Bake Sale by Jennifer Reichert
An exploration of the economics of female sexuality and the choices women make in concert and as individuals - with baked goods. Based on a series of scientific articles. (6+m, 4f – comedy)
Bank & Trust by Kitt Lavoie
In the midst of a free-falling economy, two old friends – a construction loan officer and the wife of a building contractor – have no one to blame but each other. (1m, 1f – drama)
Good Enough by Kitt Lavoie
Shortly after meeting her devoutly Christian future in-laws over Thanksgiving dinner, a Jewish college student receives a late-night visit from her fiancé's younger sister, who is determined to prevent the marriage from taking place. (1m, 2f – drama)
In the Meantime by Sharon E. Cooper
As they are packing up their shared apartment to separate, a couple gives themselves seven minutes on an egg timer to figure out how this happened. (1m, 1f – comedy)
Just Julian by Jennifer Reichert
Prototypical awkward John Hughes hero, Julian, wins the heart of the all-American girl, Madison, on prom night. But just as the credits are about to roll on their happiness, Julian's long-suffering best friend, Nadine, tumbles through the window to declare her love.
(2m, 2f – serio-comic)
Kat for Short by Kitt Lavoie
Following the opening night of his first show, a young playwright is confronted by his longtime girlfriend about the coded messages contained in his play regarding the true nature of his relationship with her best friend.
(1m, 2f, 1 flex. – drama)
Michael Bay’s America, Part IV by Jerzy Gwiazdowski
A former couple brokers an uneasy peace as they broker a deal with a movie star to purchase the sculpture one of them made about last days of their relationship.
(2m – drama)
The Median Line by Kitt Lavoie
The story of a young man coming to terms with his promiscuous lifestyle and trying to find love, perhaps, with the girl next door… and the one he already shares a bed with.
(2m, 4f – drama)
Mikey Wears Braces by Jennifer Reichert
Trapped in a blind alley behind a bar, a musician finds himself locked out of his own gig – and into an encounter with a teenaged fan. Both of them need a helping hand, but only one of their dreams can survive the night. (1m, 1f – comedy)
Not Entirely Platonic: Variations on a Confession by Kitt Lavoie
Is there a way to tell your girlfriend you are in love with her best friend without losing them both? And if you could take it back, would you?
(1m, 2f – drama)
Party Girl by Kitt Lavoie
A young lawyer arrives at his cousin's bachelor party to find his girlfriend, an Ivy League PhD student, working the party as an exotic dancer. How do you introduce your family to a girl they've had a lap dance from? Maybe you don't. (1m, 2f – comedy)
[pwnd] by Kitt Lavoie
There are certain things a guy doesn't do with his best friend's fiancée. Playstation and The Godfather are just the start. Game on. (2m, 1f – comedy)
Rising Seniors by Kitt Lavoie
A hyper-achieving high school student’s streak of perfection is broken when her best friend and boyfriend are both accepted to a summer engineering program that did not let her in. (2f – comedy)
Southern Cross by Timothy Davis
A wounded war vet returns home to find his family hanging on for dear life at the very last edge of the American dream. (2m, 1f – drama)
Sunshine by Kitt Lavoie
After waking up next to each other for the first time in two years, Grace and Davey have to decide if they ever want to wake up next to each other again. (1m, 1f – drama)
Then… by Cynthia Franks
On a moon-lit prom night, Madelyn has big plans for her childhood sweetheart. But Rhet has bigger plans for them both.
(1m, 1f – drama)
Waist Deep by Jennifer Reichert
After the show she wrote for was cancelled for a joke that offended the president, a young comedy writer hides out in the attic to avoid her conservative family.
(2f – serio-comic)
The West Wing by Jenny Kirlin
Former colleagues collide over questions of patriotism, constitutional law, American exceptionalism… and whether a pigeon can be the president.
(2f – comedy)
Lincoln Center Originals - Plays set on the campus of Lincoln Center - commissioned by Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (can be performed as an evening or separately)
Grevious Circle by Jerzy Gwiazdowski
After his boyfriend disrupts a concert at Juilliard, a man lays down an ultimatum. (2m – drama)
Out of Tune by Jenny Kirlin
During a contentious date at Lincoln Center, a woman reveals to her girlfriend that she has secretly gone through with an artificial insemination months after she fled their doctor’s office. (2f – drama)
Sabbatical by Kitt Lavoie
A young Classics professor travels across country to surprise his costume designer girlfriend at the stage door of her show at The Metropolitan Opera… only to find it closed months ago. (1m, 1f – drama)
The Dylan Plays - Plays inspired by songs from Bob Dylan’s classic 1975 album “Blood on the Tracks”
All Over Me (How Does It Feel) by Jerzy Gwiazdowski
A man realizes he can't always get what he wants when his fiancée announces she is winging off to Morocco with Mick Jagger. Inspired by “If You See Her, Say Hello.”
(1m, 1f – serio-comic)
Forsaken by Kitt Lavoie
As a former teenage bride is confronted by the youth she skipped, she and her husband struggle to find how they can possibly grow old together. Inspired by “You’re a Big Girl Now.”
(1m, 1f – drama)
Stay by Jenny Kirlin
At the tail end of a breakup, a man returns to the house he once shared to take the last thing he's left behind. Inspired by “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go.” (1m, 1f – drama)
The Museum Plays - Plays set in the great museums of New York City (can be performed as an evening or separately)
Courbet: or Woman with a Parrot by Kitt Lavoie
Three drama students confront their personal and artistic differences as they try to surreptitiously shoot a scene for a thesis film in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
(3f – serio-comic)
Dirty Birds by Jenny Kirlin
Months after she suffered amnesia in an accident, a young woman’s closest friend takes her to an exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum of Art with an unexpected surprise.
(3f – drama)
Vega by Jerzy Gwiazdowski
A group of estranged friends meet at the American Museum of Natural History to hold a Love Funeral for the relationship that nearly ended one of their lives.
(1m, 2f – serio-comic)
The Five Borough Plays - Plays set in each of the five boroughs of New York City (can be performed as an evening or separately)
All the Way Here by Kitt Lavoie
A year after his wife disappeared from their home in St. Paul, a young husband and his best friend appear at her door in New York City to uncover the reason that she left. Set in Staten Island.
(2m, 1f – drama)
Baby Giraffe by Katelin Wilcox
A pair of sisters come to blows on a trip to meet the woman who gave birth to one of them. Set in the Bronx.
(2f – drama)
Dead Man Walking by Ali Keller
A man holds his brother's engagement ring hostage. Set in Manhattan.
(2m - serio-comic)
Deflection by Jenny Kirlin & Kitt Lavoie
An internet start-up's company dodgeball team comes to blows when a pregnant team member reveals the identity of her baby's father, threatening their personal friendships and the future of the company. Set in Queens.
(1m, 2f – comedy)
Two Birds by Jerzy Gwiazdowski
When a young couple meets for coffee after four months apart, they discover that they had very different understandings of the terms of their separation. Set in Brooklyn.
(1m, 1f – serio-comic)
Holiday Themed Ten Minute Plays
And it came to pass in those days… by Kitt Lavoie
A mother-to-be with no place to go goes the only place she can think of on Christmas Eve. (1m, 1f – drama)
Black Sleigh Down by Jim Fagan
What do you get for the girl who has killed everything?
(1m, 1f – comedy)
Cake by Cavan Hallman
A rotund law student, his meathead brother, and low-fat, low-carb Christmas. (2m, 1f – comedy)
Carry Me On by Will Clark
A young math whiz tries to sneak out of his girlfriend's dorm the night before winter break.
(1m, 1f – drama)
The Christmas Angel of Marfa, TX by Jerzy Gwiazdowski
An artist and a cookie magnate negotiate over what you will see when you tune into celebratemarfa.org. (2m – drama)
Christmas for New Year’s by Jennifer Reichert
When a medical resident is forced to choose holiday coverage, his best friend hops the first train out of town. (1m, 1f – drama)
Color Blind by Will Clark
A young man wants his girlfriend to change (her sweater) for his parents. (1m, 1f – comedy)
Dear Nate by Ali Keller
Who defriends someone by Christmas card?
(1m, 1f – serio-comic)
The Earth You Created by Sydney Painter
A pair of teenage friends face the eternal question - does the holiday have room for both church camp and a solstice party? (2f – comedy)
Fine by Kitt Lavoie
An out-of-work couple confront the sparse pile of gifts under the tree this year. (1m, 1f – drama)
Frohliche Weihnachten by Cavan Hallman
This isn't exactly what he had in mind when he said he wanted "German lessons" for Christmas.
(4m – comedy)
Hot Air by Katelin Wilcox
It's not easy being a 34 foot tall inflatable elf. (3 flex – comedy)
Invited by Jennifer Reichert
An act of holiday generosity threatens the friendship of a pair of skating rink employees.
(1m, 1f – comedy)
IRL by Will Clark
A man delivers a gift to the best friend he never met.
(1m, 1f – drama)
The Most Wonderful Time by Jennifer Reichert
College BFFs make plans to spend their Xmas together. (2f – comedy)
Occupied by Sharon Cooper
A woman demands from her bank what it owes her for Christmas.
(1f, 1 flex – comedy)
Puppy Love by Becky Sterling Rygg
A man gets his wife a puppy for Christmas, when all she asked for was a divorce. (1m, 1f – comedy)
Siriously by Sharon E. Cooper
Two men and an iPhone walk into a bar... (2m, 1f – comedy)
The Seven Men of Hanukkah by Sharon E. Cooper
A man has the worst audition for the best role ever.
(1m, 1f – comedy)
Slut Claus by Ali Keller
How do you meet your future in-laws dressed as Santa's trampy girlfriend? (1m, 1f – comedy)
The Spaceship Lands On Christmas by Sydney Painter
What happens in orbit stays in orbit. (1m, 1f – comedy)
Spy Actually: A Bi-Polar Express by Jim Fagan
With enemies like these, who needs friends? (2m – comedy)
Winter Break by Kitt Lavoie
What do you get for the boy who gave up everything?
(1m, 1f – drama)
Year After Year by Mélisa Breiner-Sanders
One couple… and a Christmas dinner table set for three.
(1m, 1f – drama)