Plays
The following plays are available for download here and through my New Play Exchange profile. They are copyrighted material, the sole owner of which is the author, Brenton Kniess. If you enjoy them, please feel free to share with whomever you like or leave a recommendation on NPX.
No part of these plays may be performed without written permission from the rights holder(s) and payment of applicable royalties. For performance/royalty rights, please get in touch with me at kniessbrenton@gmail.com, through the New Play Exchange, or fill out a contact form here.
4 Actors (2F/2M), 45 minutes
Recommended Audience: 12+
NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER THROUGH NEXT STAGE PRESS
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ONE ACT COMEDY. It’s Halloween night at The Thatcher Theater, a run-down, privately owned movie theater in a quaint small town. As the last movie of the night ends, three movie theater employees, Ben, an amateur director with big dreams, Ashley, a sarcastic fun seeker, and Kat, a true believer in the theatrical experience, begin to clean up after a busy night. As they clean, their boss, Rodney, a washed-up voice actor, gives them instructions before he leaves for the night. After the theater has closed, Ashley encourages Ben and Kat to goof off before cleaning. During the horseplay of the game, Ashley and Ben inadvertently break an invaluable object, which releases a ghostly visitor.
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"A great, spooky one-act with lots of fun opportunities for young actors! A super fun and nostalgic pick for the movie-lover in all of us!" - Abby Burgess, NPX
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THE THATCHER THEATER TERROR premiered at the University of Idaho's 10 Minute & One Act Festival in December 2024.
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The Peculiar Puppets of Philip Platt
4 Actors (1F/1M, 2 ANY), 15 minutes
Recommended Audience: 17+
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SHORT DRAMEDY. Philip Platt comes back to his apartment to be visited by his friend and neighbor, Kate, who expresses concern over Philip's well-being as he grieves a loss. As Philip begins to talk through his feelings, two old friends attempt to help Philip through his grief in a very peculiar manner.
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"Kniess masterfully balances humor and complicated grief. His use of puppets brings Philip's inner turmoil to life in a way that is both delightful and deeply moving. This is a powerful play for many of us maneuvering through complicated grief at the moment.." - Jeffrey James Keyes (NYT Best Selling Author), NPX
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THE PECULIAR PUPPETS OF PHILIP PLATT premiered at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point in April 2022, directed by Brenton Kniess
The Peculiar Puppets of Penelope Platt
4 Actors (1F/1M, 2 ANY), 15 minutes
Recommended Audience: 17+
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SHORT DRAMEDY. In the sequel to The Peculiar Puppets of Philip Platt, Penelope Platt receives an unexpected birthday gift from her recently deceased father.
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"What a magical show. It's funny, touching, with some great parts for both humans and puppets. As a former puppet performer I can say that this show would be a dream if I was looking to produce a live event directed to the Gen Xers and Millennials who grew up on the Muppet Show and Sesame Street. So good." - Robert J. LeBlanc, NPX
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THE PECULIAR PUPPETS OF PENELOPE PLATT premiered at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point in February 2023, directed by Brenton Kniess
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2 Actors (1F/1M), 10 minutes
Recommended Audience: 16+
TEN MINUTE DARK COMEDY. Stacey and her boyfriend, David, own an ice cream truck that has been within Stacey's family for over 60 years. David is looking towards the future of their relationship, while Stacey just wants to keep her family business thriving. Will this relationship freeze up in this cold dark comedy?
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"Brenton Kniess plays clever tricks on his audience with this startling short play. What begins as a benignly gentle romantic dialogue takes a macabre twist you won’t see coming. One scoop or two? A perfect addition to any festival of horror shorts." - Robert Weibezahl, NPX
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MELT is seeking to have its world premiere.
The Five Stages: 5 Short Plays About Life, Death, and Love
6-15 Actors (6F/6M, 3 ANY), 60 minutes
Recommended Audience: 17+
COLLECTION. Playwright Brenton Kniess takes audiences on five different journeys where characters face the trials and tribulations of life, death, and love. Ranging from comedy to drama, science fiction to horror, audiences can expect the unexpected when they experience The Five Stages.
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"Imagine the absurd world of early Terrence McNally, addressed with the manic madness of David Ives. Brenton-Kniess-Land is a Sad-Mad-Happy-Frightened-Brave world of dreamers and hopers, and is destined to attract theater makers and theatergoers of a similar temperament." - Kerr Lockhart, NPX
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THE FIVE STAGES: 5 SHORT PLAYS ABOUT LIFE, DEATH, AND LOVE is seeking to have it's world premiere.
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2 Actors (1F/1M), 10 minutes
Recommended Audience: 17+
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TEN-MINUTE DRAMA. In the not-so-distant future, the U.S. government has made a law stating that the government will arrange all marriages. A young outspoken writer, Irelynn, meets with her assigned husband-to-be, Bennett, hours before their marriage becomes legal. While having their first conversation, they share stories of past love, societal changes, and how love connects everything in their lives.
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"Brenton Kniess' 'Luck of the Draw' delves into the intricacies of love and choice in an imposed political society. Kniess skillfully navigates this challenging premise, infusing the narrative with warmth, humor, and humanity. Despite the unsettling backdrop, they manage to capture hope and tenderness in the story and through nuanced storytelling offer profound insight into the resilience of the human spirit." - Bluebird Theatre Company​
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LUCK OF THE DRAW was selected as part of Bluebird Theatre Company's Bluebird Broadcast.
3 Actors (2F/1M), 30 minutes
Recommended Audience: 17+
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ONE-ACT DARK COMEDY. After what seemed to be a failed date, Olive contemplates what she needs to do to get into a long-term relationship. Ella, Olive's roommate wants to help her, but Ella believes that for Olive to get into a relationship she'll need to stop collecting pillows, which Ella knows to be a dangerous addiction. Will Olive give up this fluffy fascination for love?
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"Pillow Talk might be short on romance, but it's long on comedy, wickedly funny dark comedy. Great setup, pacing, suspense, a quirky character (really quirky!), and a surprise ending. Terrific!" - Kim E. Ruyle, NPX
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PILLOW TALK is seeking to have its world premiere.
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2 Actors, 1 Optional (1F/1M), 10 minutes
Recommended Audience: 13+
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TEN MINUTE DRAMEDY. Based VERY loosely on real events, a widowed woman brings a raccoon into a bar for her weekly game of slapjack.
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"Cards, beer, a raccoon and a couple of old friends coalesce in this sweet short where coming to grips with loss is told in an identifiable manner. You can feel the characters’ shared pain. A worthy piece of work." - Mike Byham, NPX
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SLAPJACK SATURDAY is seeking to have its world premiere.
4 Actors, (2F/2M), 10 minutes
Recommended Audience: 16+
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TEN MINUTE DRAMA. Nick, a quantum physicist is celebrating his 25th birthday with his brother, Jonah, Jonah's fiance, Tasha, and Nick's ex-girlfriend, Ava. After Jonah and Nick get into an argument regarding Nick's time management, Nick makes a shocking revelation.
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"A sharp and efficient tragedy that reveals itself a little more with each page. It's entirely dialogue-driven and easy to produce, making genre theatre more accessible for theatres with any budget. Best of all, it will be relatable to nearly anyone who has been lost in a quagmire of grief." - Aly Kantor, NPX
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CLOCKWORK was selected as part of Bluebird Theatre Company's Bluebird Salon.
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