About the Plays:

Some great pieces for scene work or performance.

The acclaimed Samuel French Off Off Broadway Original Short Play Festival in Manhattan (commonly referred to as OOB) is America's leading short play festival. The annual OOB Festival originated in 1975 and has since attracted US and international short plays that may be up to 15 pages in length from countries like Canada, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

Off Off Broadway Festival Plays, 22nd Series is a collection of short plays selected by a panel of judges that included New York playwrights, artistic directors, and industry leaders as the most important plays of the 22nd OOB Festival. Winning authors include: Sean O'Donnell, William Gadea, Andrea M. Green, Clare Tattersall, Peter Ernst, Bryan Patrick Moses, and Le Wilhelm.

Because I Wanted to Say is a ten-minute dramatic comedy by Sean O'Donnell: AIDS has taken Steven, Ann's best friend. She relives funny, touching, and important moments from their long friendship in her mind, trying to come to terms with his death and to make sure that nothing is left unsaid. (Cast: 1 female, 1 female).

Brothers is a short comedy by William Gadea: In this sweet and wacky comedy, Biff meets Lorraine through the personals and takes her home with him. He neglects to mention that he is really trying to fix her up with his brother Ray, and that Ray has no head. Will Ray find romance? Will Lorraine catch on to his complicated sign language? Can Biff atone for the guilt he feels about his brother's headlessness? (Cast: 1 female, 2 female).

For Tiger Lilies Out of Season is a long one-act drama by Andrea M. Green: An intimate, affirmative account of a battle to live fully beyond physical survival, this poetic piece, half dream and half reality, follows one woman's rite of passage through the experience of breast cancer. Justine Danieu, a divorced, educated, and talented photographer, is on the brink of professional success when a routine mammography reveals a malignancy. As she interacts with doctors, family, and support group members, she questions the certitudes of her existence. Her courage in facing a difficult decision about treatment is a metaphor for her coming of age. Humour and pathos are interwoven in this story of human potential in adversity. (Cast: 5 female, 1 female, 1 girl).

The Last Dance is a short comedy by Clare Tattersall: In a last-ditch stab at happiness, a twenty-eight-year-old woman on the brink of despair places a classified ad for "...a dance partner for hours of pleasure. Must be experienced and handsome." Devouring Twinkies to feed her desire and talking incessantly to conceal rampant nervousness as she attempts to seduce an equally quirky auditionee, she inadvertently discloses her morbid childhood. (Cast: 1 female, 1 female).

The Most Perfect Day is a ten-minute comedy by Peter Ernst: Tom is engaged in his favourite pastime: picnicking with his beloved Karen, who he believes is the most beautiful woman in the world. He cannot, however, convince her of this. A famous critic arrives and a lost parachutist descends. They are instantly infatuated, proving Tom's point while driving his love to the breaking point. This surprising, insightful comedy is ideal for stage, classroom, and cabaret productions. (Cast: 1 female, 3 female).

This Is How It Is is a short comedy by Bryan Patrick Moses: Sam and David, college seniors, meet at their local bar. When Jill enters, Sam watches as David tries to hook her with his "nonverbal codes." This balance of power play provides shifts and turns that are certain to delight audiences, especially college groups. (Cast: 1 female, 3 female).

Tremulous is a short comedy by Le Wilhelm: In this touching, funny, and poignant play, two awkward teens meet in an orchard to carry out their pre-planned suicides. The girls discuss friendship, feelings, and fears, observe the life around them, and opt for life. (Cast: 2 female).