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Publications
My Fragile Family Tree: Stories of Fathers & Sons. Liminalities: A Journal of Performance Studies, 8,
no. 4 (September 2012).
A Year in the Life of 25 Strangers Living in a City by the Lake. Burlington, MA: JAC Publishing, 2011
The Van Gogh Exhibit. Burlington, MA: JAC Publishing, 2010.
Burying Mom. Los Angeles, CA: Original Works Publishing, 2010.
“Caring Older Brother.” Winners Competition Series v. 4: Award-Winning, 90-Second Comic Scenes Ages
13-18. Ed. by Janet B. Milstein. Hanover, NH: Smith & Kraus Publishers, 2010.
“Buying Caskets” monologue from Burying Mom. The Theatre Audition Book 2. Ed. Gerald Lee Ratliff.
Colorado Springs, CO: Meriwether Publishing, Ltd., 2009.
The Diner Variations. Included in the Eileen Heckart Senior Drama Archives at the Lawrence & Lee
Theatre Research Institute at The Ohio State University, 2007.
“Paintings” monologue from The Van Gogh Exhibit. Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 30s:
101 Monologues by Type, 2 Minutes & Under. Ed. By Janet B. Milstein. Hanover, NH: Smith &
Kraus, 2005.
Full Length Plays
The Adventures of Menorah Man & Dreidel Boy: A Play About Christmas (© 2012)
-Santa is in trouble. The North Pole is on its third mortgage and the sleigh is about to be repossessed. If he can’t raise the money to pay off his debts Christmas will be over - Forever! With the help of the most awkward high school student who has ever lived and a motley crew of Christmas outcasts Santa sets out to save the holidays - Forever!
Production
-Reading as part of the Missouri Playwrights Workshop – 3/13/12. Dir. David Crespy.
The Girl in the Cube (© 2010)
-Amanda feels trapped. She hates her office job, isn’t thrilled about her boyfriend, and lives in boring Fargo, North Dakota. Suddenly tossed into an alternative reality, she bounces through time, searching for the missing pieces of herself that will set her free.
Production
-Reading as part of the Missouri Playwrights Workshop – 11/30/10. Dir. David Crespy.
-Reading as part of the Missouri Playwrights Workshop – 2/8/11.
-Play development residency through Lark Play Development Center at New York Stage & Film – 7/19-24/11.
-Reading as part of Tesseract Theatre Company’s Summer Reading Series – 9/8/11. Dir. Taylor Gruenloh.
-Production by the University of Missouri – 11/3-13/11. Dir. Suzanne Burgoyne.
The Book of Adam (© 2010)
-A public relations executive is on the brink of losing his job, his family and his beloved crab apple tree. As luck would have it though, his father just might be God, and Adam might have a higher calling.
Production
-Reading as part of the Missouri Playwrights Workshop – 4/20/10. Dir. David Crespy.
-Concert Reading by U of Missouri Summer Repertory Theatre’s Comedies-in-Concert – 7/19/11. Dir. David Crespy.
-Concert Reading as part of the KC/ACTF Region V Festival – 1/16/12. Dir. Jim Bartruff.
Awards
-The Mark Twain Prize for Comic Playwriting.
-Finalist in the Barnyard Theatre’s New Play Program.
-Finalist for a Core Apprentice Grant, The Playwright’s Center.
The Chosen One (© 2010)
-One of the best baseball players on the planet seems to have it all, except when it matters most. A post-season camping trip brings his past and present relationships into the limelight.
Production
-Available for premiere.
Pittsfield (© 2009)
-A mother invites her grown children home to put their beloved and incredibly long-lived dog to sleep. But she has a secret of her own that will turn their lives upside down.
Production
-Reading as part of the Missouri Playwrights Workshop – 8/25/09. Dir. David Crespy.
-Concert Reading as part of the Mizzou New Play Series – 4/13/10. Dir. Noah Lelek.
-Developmental Workshop & Reading at The Playwright’s Center – 6/8-9/10. Dir. Noel Raymond.
Awards
-2009-10 Playwrights’ Center Core Apprentice Grant Recipient.
Teaching America (© 2009)
-A suburban town is awakened from its slumber by the actions of a controversial high school history teacher.
Production
-Available for premiere.
Danny and Da Mob (© 2008)
-A CPA finds himself immersed in a mob shakedown, but can he figure his way out? Adapted from the novel by John Niblock.
Production
-Reader’s Theatre production by Monmouth College – 5/31/08. Dir. James DeYoung.
Awards
-Commissioned by Monmouth College.
A Shot in the Dark (© 2006)
-A phone call concerning their parents causes a brother and sister to reopen their past and face their future.
Productions
-Staged Reading as part of the Shantz Theatre Reading Series at American Theater Company – 1/24/06. Dir. Matt Fotis.
-Reading as part of the Missouri Playwrights Workshop – 2/17/09. Dir. David Crespy.
-Concert Reading by U of Missouri Summer Repertory Theatre’s Comedies-in-Concert – 7/21/09. Dir. David Crespy.
A Year in the Life of 25 Strangers Living in a City by the Lake (© 2005)
-A twelve month exploration of the lives of a city’s inhabitants and how they are connected.
Productions
-Production by Shantz Theatre in the 2005 Kansas City Fringe Festival presented at the Next Space Theatre –
7/29-31/05. Dir. Matt Fotis.
-Production by Shantz Theatre in the 2005 Indianapolis Fringe Festival at the Phoenix Underground Theatre –
8/19-28/05. Dir. Matt Fotis.
-Production by Shantz Theatre and Links Hall presented at Links Hall (Chicago, IL)
9/9-11/05. Dir. Matt Fotis.
-Staged Reading by Ten Grand and a Burger Productions (New York) as part of the Cold
Cuts Reading Series – 3/6/06. Dir. Jason Hewitt.
-Production by Shantz Theatre in the 2006 Minnesota Fringe Festival presented at The
Playwright’s Center – 8/3-14/06. Dir. Matt Fotis.
-Off-off-Broadway Production by Ten Grand Productions at The Algonquin Theater –
4/28/08-5/18/08. Dir. Shaun Colledge.
-Production by Albright College as part of the Greenhouse Series – 12/3/12. Dir. Bernadette Baron.
Awards
-Finalist for the 2005 Theatre Publicus Award for Dramatic Literature (Media Darlings).
-Honorable Mention for Literary Excellence, Theatre Publicus Prize for Dramatic Literature.
-Finalist for the Guthrie Theatre’s Fringe Encore.
-Ranked #7 out of 167 shows in audience attendance at 2006 MN Fringe.
-Finalist in the 3rd Annual Metropolis Performing Arts Centre New Play Festival.
-Named one of the “Top 7” reasons to attend the KC Fringe by The Kansas City Star.
The Van Gogh Exhibit (© 2004)
-A circular tale exploring relationships, politics, bus stations and nostalgia.
Productions
-Production by Shantz Theatre in the 2004 Minnesota Fringe Festival presented at the
Loring Playhouse – 8/6-15/04. Dir. Matt Fotis.
-Production by Shantz Theatre and Monmouth College presented at the Wells Theatre
10/2-3/04. Dir. Matt Fotis.
-Production by Illinois State University’s Freestage Committee, presented in the 2005
Freestage Festival at the Allen Studio Theatre – 4/23-30/05. Dir. Adal Rifai.
-Production by Shantz Theatre presented at the American Theater Company – 1/5-28/06. Dir. Matt Fotis.
Awards
-Named Anna’s Pick for the 2004 MN Fringe by Anna Pratt of the Minneapolis Skyway News.
-Finalist in the 2nd Annual Metropolis Performing Arts Centre New Play Festival.
-Alternate in the 2005 Region III KCACTF National Playwriting Program.
The Diner Variations (© 2003)
-Two life long friends reflect on their past and speculate about their future after a tragic death changes their lives.
Productions
-Production by Shantz Theatre in the 2003 Minnesota Fringe Festival presented at the
Hey City Theatre – 8/1-10/03. Dir. Matt Fotis.
Awards
-Included in the Eileen Heckart Senior Drama Archives at the Lawrence & Lee Theatre
Research Institute at The Ohio State University.
The Marriage of Marcus Tyler (© 2002, 2000)
-A family goes to extreme measures to avoid their worst fear: family.
Productions
-Staged reading by Monmouth College’s Crimson Masque – 5/1/01. Dir. James DeYoung.
-Staged reading by The Chameleon Theatre Circle (Apple Valley, MN) – 2/1/03. Dir. Tim Kuehl.
-Production by Shantz Theatre presented at the Breadline Theatre – 5/3-27/06. Dir. Matt Fotis.
-Production by Theatre on the Square (Indianapolis, IN) – 2/20-3/22/09. Dir. John Fullam.
Awards
-Quarter Finalist in the 2001 Sonoma Country Repertory Theatre’s SCRipts Festival.
-Showcase selection in the 2003 Chameleon Theatre Circle’s New Play Festival.
Lincoln’s Lagoon (© 2001)
-A school principal is murdered in the small town of Lincolnville, KY: can a blind Kentucky orphan save the day?
Productions
-Production by Monmouth College – 2/22-26/01. Dir. Matt Fotis
Awards
-Finalist in the 2002 Robert J. Pickering Award for Playwriting Excellence.
One-Act Plays
Nights on the Couch (© 2010)
-One man’s journey from child to parent told through five nights on the couch.
Productions
-Concert Reading as part of KCACTF Regional Festival – 1/18/11. Dir. David Marcia.
-Concert Reading as part of the Mizzou New Play Series – 4/13/11. Dir. David Marcia.
-Concert Reading as part of the KC/ACTF National Festival at the Kennedy Center Family Theater - 4/19/11.
Dir. Rebecca Hilliker.
-Production by Bismarck State College – 5/4-5/11. Dir. Derek Harper.
-Production by University of Missouri as part of the Life & Literature Performance Series – 9/15-18/11.
Dir. Noah Lelek. (Production Invited to KC/ACTF Region II Festival)
-Production by Allen Community College – 2/23-25/11. Dir. Tony Piazza.
-Production by Mitchell Area Community Theatre – 8/16-19/12. Dir. Carm Roster.
Awards
-Regional Winner & National Finalist for The John Cauble Short Play Award.
-KC/ACTF Regional Festival Invited Production, 2012.
Burying Mom (© 2007)
-One man’s journey to put his dead mother to rest…or he can just bury her in the backyard.
Productions
-Production by Shantz Theatre presented at Iowa Fringe Festival – 7/19-22/07. Dir. Matt Fotis
-Production by Shantz Theatre presented at Minnesota Fringe Festival – 8/1-12/07.
-Production by Shantz Theatre presented at Indianapolis Fringe Festival – 8/25-9/2/07.
-Production by Shantz Theatre presented at Gorilla Tango Theatre – 9/7-16/07.
-Staged Reading at the 2009 Great Plains Theatre Conference 5/26/09 – Dir. Matt Mason.
-Off-off-Broadway Production by Emerging Artists Theatre (NYC) as part of EATfest – 2/24-3/5/09. Dir. Deb Guston.
Awards
-Finalist & Selection in the 2009 Emerging Artists Theatre Spring EATfest.
-Finalist & Selection in the 2009 Great Plains Theatre Conference.
-Great Plains Theatre Conference New Voices Playwright.
-Honorable Mention in The John Cauble Short Play Award, 2009.
Simplicity: or The Day Ron Blomberg Ruined My Life (© 2002)
-A burnt-out screenwriter reflects on his life and ties his failed fortunes to Ron Blomberg’s game winning home run against the Boston Red Sox.
Productions
-Available for premiere.
Awards
-2nd Place Award in the 2001 Rosanna Graham Webster Creative Writing Contest.
The Candid Biography of a Single Chess Table Chosen at Random on an Ambiguous Spring Day in Central Park (© 2002)
-14 interconnected vignettes about life, death, sex and jogging converge on a chess table in Central Park.
Productions
-Production by Anvilhead Theatre (Monmouth, IL) – 12/6-9/01. Dir. Jeanette Nielsen.
-Production by Shantz Theatre in the 2002 Minnesota Fringe Festival presented at the Whitney Studio – 8/2-11/02.
Dir. Matt Fotis.
-Production by the Summer Company (Pittsburgh, PA) in the 2002 Pittsburgh New Works Festival – 9/5-8/02.
Dir. Jason Fleece.
-Production by Shantz Theatre and the Bryant Lake Bowl (Minneapolis, MN) presented at The Bryant Lake Bowl
Theatre – 10/7-28/02. Dir. Matt Fotis.
-Production by Shantz Theatre at the 2006 Indianapolis Fringe Festival presented at the Murat Theatre –
8/24-9/3/06. Dir. Matt Fotis.
Awards
-Donna Award recipient at the 2002 Pittsburgh New Works Festival.
-Selection for the 13th Annual Last Frontier Theatre Conference Play Lab.
-Last Frontier Theatre Conference Travel Grant Recipient.
The Mystery of Simon Levene (© 2002)
-Two people meet atop a building during an office party and explore their bizarre relationship.
Productions
-Production by Pegasus Theatre Company (Monte Rio, CA) – 6/13-15/02. Dir. Mark Gregory.
Awards
-2nd Place in the 2003 Sonoma County Repertory Theatre’s New Drama Works SCRipts Festival.
The Zebra Baby (© 2001)
-A young couple moves in to their first home, but when talk of a baby arrives things get out of control.
Productions
-Production by Anvilhead Theatre – 12/6-9/01. Dir. Vicki Kunz.
-Staged reading by Sonoma County Repertory Theatre – 9/19/02.
-Amateur production by Blackbox Theatre Productions (Santa Rosa, CA) presented at Maria Carrillo High School –
10/2002. Dir. Annmarie Jensen.
-Amateur production by Normal Community High School (Normal, IL) – 12/6-9/05. Dir. Kenny Metroff.
-Production by Shantz Theatre presented at the American Theater Company – 1/5-28/06. Dir. Jonathan Thomas.
Awards
-Winner of the 2002 Sonoma County Repertory Theatre’s New Drama Works SCRipts Festival.
-Finalist in the 2006 Intentional Theatre Short Play Festival.
-Honorable Mention in the 2006 Union League Club of Chicago Civic & Arts Foundation Fiction Competition.
-Finalist in the Curan Repertory Company’s Notes From the Underground Festival.
-Finalist in the 2007 Impact Theatre Winter One Act Festival.
-Finalist in the 2010 The Paw Paw Village Players One Act Festival.
On the Surface (© 2000)
-A family struggles to find their commonalities.
Productions
-Production by Monmouth College – 5/5-6/01. Dir. Matt Fotis.
Awards
-Finalist in the 2002 Sonoma County Repertory Theatre’s New Drama Works SCRipts Festival.
Ten-Minute Plays
Waiting for Sid & Ethel (©2012)
-A cat and a dog await the return of their owners and debate the limits of free will, God, and when it is acceptable to pee.
Productions
-Available for premiere.
King Lear – The Sequel (©2012)
-Shakespeare’s tragedy leaves some unanswered questions…like who is the new king? Luckily there is a sequel that answers that question and more.
Productions
-Production as part of 23:59 – A Revolution of Plays, University of Missouri. 9/22/2012. Dir. Carrie Winship.
The Butterfly Effect (©2011)
-Ben is in love with Sarah Preston, the most beautiful girl in school, but she doesn’t even know he exists. With the help of a butterfly, Ben aims to make his dream come true.
Productions
-Production as part of 23:59 – A Revolution of Plays, University of Missouri. 9/10/2011. Dir. Samantha Korenfeld.
58 & 59 (© 2010)
-Two pages in a library book, stuck together for eternity waiting to be opened. One thinks he'll never be free; one thinks it was meant to be. A love story about hope and the power of knowledge.
Productions
-Staged Reading as part of KCACTF Regional Festival – 1/20/11. Dir. Elizabeth Thompson.
-Staged Reading as part of Fancy Pants Theater’s Director’s Festival. March 12, 2011. Dir. Katy Copeland.
-Concert Reading as part of the Mizzou New Play Series – 4/13/11. Dir. David Marcia.
-Concert Reading as part of the KCACTF National Ten Minute Play Festival at the Kennedy Center Family Theater –
4/22/11. Dir. John Mayer.
-Production by Bismarck State College – 5/4-5/11. Dir. Brittany Kuhn.
-Production by North Hennepin Community College – 5/5/11. Dir. Elyse Evans.
-Production by First Run Theatre Company in the Spectrum Festival – 10/14-23/11. Dir. Phillip Allen Coan.
-Production by Northern Michigan University Short Play Festival – 12/7-8/11. Dir. Ryan Sitzberger.
Awards
-Regional Winner and National Finalist for the KC/ACTF National Ten Minute Play Award.
-Festival Winner & Audience Choice Winner in Fancy Pants Theatre’s Director’s Festival.
Chair Prom (© 2010)
-Four chairs – each battling their own high school demons – gather for the final night of their high school lives.
Productions
-Available for premiere.
Oedipus: The Prequel (© 2010)
-Before Sophocles’ play begins, Oedipus and Jocasta must get together. The story of their early love…and some other stuff.
Productions
-Production as part of 23:59 – A Revolution of Plays, University of Missouri. 9/11/2010. Dir. Peter Smith.
-Staged Reading as part of Fancy Pants Theater’s Director’s Festival. March 12, 2011. Dir. Joseph Seibert.
-Production by Bismarck State College – 5/4-5/11. Dir. Tim Rosin.
-Production by Mildred’s Umbrella Theater Company – 12/1-10/11. Dir. Jonathan Colunga.
-Production by the Barn Players in the 6x10 Festival – 12/9-10/11. Dir. Kim Hentges.
-Production in the ArtsCenter Stage 11th Annual 10 By 10 in the Triangle Festival – 7/6-22/12. Dir. John Boni.
Awards
-Finalist in the ArtsCenter Stage 10th Annual 10 By 10 in the Triangle Festival.
-Finalist in the ArtsCenter Stage 11th Annual 10 By 10 in the Triangle Festival.
Erased from History (© 2010)
-The last survivor of the Titanic. The architect of the Lusitania. Lincoln’s first vice-president. A boy looking for Ms. Harrison’s biology class. And a Dodo bird. All trapped and looking for a way to back to reality.
Productions
-Available for premiere.
The Crying Club (© 2010)
-A club for the sad (or wannabe sad) people, which also happens to be a wine cellar featuring John Milton.
Productions
-Production as part of the “8 in 48” Claire Donaldson Short Play Festival. 9/11/2010. Dir. Jonathon Josten.
Matt Directs Hamlet: A Metatheatrical Odyssey (© 2010)
-A director tries to direct Hamlet in Hamlet and gets subsumed by his own multiple selves. A tale of shifting realities and changing identities.
Productions
-Workshop at the University of Missouri. March 17, 2010. Dir. Matt Fotis.
-Production as part of the “8 in 48” Claire Donaldson Short Play Festival. 9/11/2010.
Dir. Jayna Gearhart Fitzsimmons.
The Music Shop (© 2009)
-Two men at different stages of their lives connect through music.
Productions
-Production as part of 23:59 – A Revolution of Plays, University of Missouri. 11/7/2009. Dir. Noah Lelek.
A Casket Man (© 2008)
-Todd plans his own funeral and needs his brother to spread his ashes, but he has other ideas.
Productions
-Off-off-Broadway Production by Curan Repertory Company (NYC) as part of the Notes
from the Underground Festival. May 19-24, 2009. Dir. Ken Terrell.
-Production as part of the MU Life & Literature in Performance Series. September, 17-20, 2009. Dir. Emily Rollie.
A Casket Gal (© 2009)
-Tammy plans her own funeral and needs her sister to spread her ashes, but she has other ideas.
Productions
-Production as part of the MU Life & Literature in Performance Series. September 17- 20, 2009. Dir. Emily Rollie.
-Production by Acme Theatre Productions as part of the Acme New Works Winter Festival. January 8-16, 2010.
Awards
-Winner of the 2010 Minnesota Shorts Play Festival
Insomniacs in Heat (© 2008)
-An unseasonably hot and humid October evening leaves a young couple struggling for sleep…and something else.
Productions
-Production by Bismarck State College – 5/4-5/11. Dir. Alex Johnson.
The Pants (© 2004)
-A man and a saleswoman realize there is more at stake in buying a pair of paints than either of them thought.
Productions
-Available for premiere.
Moving On (© 2001)
-Ariel is ready to head off to college, but are her parents?
Productions
-Production by Anvilhead Theatre – 12/6-9/01. Dir. Kyle Anderson.
Sketch Shows
Five Golden Years, Foreclosed Houses, Free Healthcare, Too Much Blago, and Marshall Field’s is Still Macy’s (© 2010) - Writer
-A five year anniversary show celebrating the best of Shantz Theatre’s Holiday Sketch Show.
Productions
-Production by Shantz Theatre presented at Gorilla Tango Theatre – 12/3-19/10. Dir. Kenny Metroff.
Northern Foreclosure: All I Want for Christmas Are My Front Door Keys (© 2008) - Writer
-With no money, a crumbling economy and no home life sucks…Merry Christmas!
Productions
-Production by Shantz Theatre presented at Gorilla Tango Theatre – 12/5-21/08. Dir. Kenny Metroff
No-EL, or how The BlagojeGrinch Stole Christmas (© 2007) – Head Writer
-A holiday sketch show extravaganza – somebody stop Gov. Blagojevich from ruining Christmas!
Productions
-Production by Shantz Theatre presented at Gorilla Tango Theatre – 12/7-23/07. Dir. Matt Fotis.
Awards
-Listed as Recommended by The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Suntimes, Chicago Magazine, MetroMix, RedEye,
Chicagoist.com, Windy City Times, Going Chicago and Midwestbusiness.com
Requiem for a Department Store, or how Jesus taught me to shop at Macy’s (© 2006) – Head Writer
-An offbeat satirical sketch show celebrating the holiday season!
Productions
-Production by Shantz Theatre presented at Gorilla Tango Theatre – 12/8-17/06. Dir. Matt Fotis
Awards
-Listed as Recommended/Best Bet by The Chicago Tribune, The Daily Herald, New City Chicago, and
MidwestBusiness.com.
Solo-Performance/Storytelling
My Fragile Family Tree: Stories of Fathers and Sons (© 2010)
-A series of tales about being a father and a son in the 21st Century.
Productions
-Production by Shantz Theatre at the Unicorn Theatre as part of the 2010 Kansas City
Fringe Festival – 7/28-31/2010.
-Production by the University of Missouri at the Corner Playhouse – 9/16-20/2010. Dir. Noah Lelek.
Mike & Matt (© 2010)
-A series of tales told by the Fotis brothers about growing up, responsibility and failure.
Productions
-Production by Shantz Theatre at the University of Minnesota Rarig Center Thrust Stage
as part of the 2010 Minnesota Fringe Festival – 8/5-15/2010.
Potpourri Potluck Kitchen Sink Meatloaf (© 2008)
-A collection of stories ranging from bad gifting to tyrannical squirrels.
Productions
-Production by Shantz Theatre at Theatre on the Square as part of the 2008 Indy Fringe
Festival – 8/22-9/1/2008. Dir. Jeanette Nielsen.
Baby Sotis (© 2008)
-The mostly true story of the birth of my son.
Productions
-Presented at the Central States Communication Association Conference as part of the
Performance Studies Division – 4/2/2009.
-University Production as part of the MU Life & Literature in Performance Series. 9/20/2009.
Publications
My Fragile Family Tree: Stories of Fathers & Sons. Liminalities: A Journal of Performance Studies, 8,
no. 4 (September 2012).
A Year in the Life of 25 Strangers Living in a City by the Lake. Burlington, MA: JAC Publishing, 2011
The Van Gogh Exhibit. Burlington, MA: JAC Publishing, 2010.
Burying Mom. Los Angeles, CA: Original Works Publishing, 2010.
“Caring Older Brother.” Winners Competition Series v. 4: Award-Winning, 90-Second Comic Scenes Ages
13-18. Ed. by Janet B. Milstein. Hanover, NH: Smith & Kraus Publishers, 2010.
“Buying Caskets” monologue from Burying Mom. The Theatre Audition Book 2. Ed. Gerald Lee Ratliff.
Colorado Springs, CO: Meriwether Publishing, Ltd., 2009.
The Diner Variations. Included in the Eileen Heckart Senior Drama Archives at the Lawrence & Lee
Theatre Research Institute at The Ohio State University, 2007.
“Paintings” monologue from The Van Gogh Exhibit. Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 30s:
101 Monologues by Type, 2 Minutes & Under. Ed. By Janet B. Milstein. Hanover, NH: Smith &
Kraus, 2005.
Full Length Plays
The Adventures of Menorah Man & Dreidel Boy: A Play About Christmas (© 2012)
-Santa is in trouble. The North Pole is on its third mortgage and the sleigh is about to be repossessed. If he can’t raise the money to pay off his debts Christmas will be over - Forever! With the help of the most awkward high school student who has ever lived and a motley crew of Christmas outcasts Santa sets out to save the holidays - Forever!
Production
-Reading as part of the Missouri Playwrights Workshop – 3/13/12. Dir. David Crespy.
The Girl in the Cube (© 2010)
-Amanda feels trapped. She hates her office job, isn’t thrilled about her boyfriend, and lives in boring Fargo, North Dakota. Suddenly tossed into an alternative reality, she bounces through time, searching for the missing pieces of herself that will set her free.
Production
-Reading as part of the Missouri Playwrights Workshop – 11/30/10. Dir. David Crespy.
-Reading as part of the Missouri Playwrights Workshop – 2/8/11.
-Play development residency through Lark Play Development Center at New York Stage & Film – 7/19-24/11.
-Reading as part of Tesseract Theatre Company’s Summer Reading Series – 9/8/11. Dir. Taylor Gruenloh.
-Production by the University of Missouri – 11/3-13/11. Dir. Suzanne Burgoyne.
The Book of Adam (© 2010)
-A public relations executive is on the brink of losing his job, his family and his beloved crab apple tree. As luck would have it though, his father just might be God, and Adam might have a higher calling.
Production
-Reading as part of the Missouri Playwrights Workshop – 4/20/10. Dir. David Crespy.
-Concert Reading by U of Missouri Summer Repertory Theatre’s Comedies-in-Concert – 7/19/11. Dir. David Crespy.
-Concert Reading as part of the KC/ACTF Region V Festival – 1/16/12. Dir. Jim Bartruff.
Awards
-The Mark Twain Prize for Comic Playwriting.
-Finalist in the Barnyard Theatre’s New Play Program.
-Finalist for a Core Apprentice Grant, The Playwright’s Center.
The Chosen One (© 2010)
-One of the best baseball players on the planet seems to have it all, except when it matters most. A post-season camping trip brings his past and present relationships into the limelight.
Production
-Available for premiere.
Pittsfield (© 2009)
-A mother invites her grown children home to put their beloved and incredibly long-lived dog to sleep. But she has a secret of her own that will turn their lives upside down.
Production
-Reading as part of the Missouri Playwrights Workshop – 8/25/09. Dir. David Crespy.
-Concert Reading as part of the Mizzou New Play Series – 4/13/10. Dir. Noah Lelek.
-Developmental Workshop & Reading at The Playwright’s Center – 6/8-9/10. Dir. Noel Raymond.
Awards
-2009-10 Playwrights’ Center Core Apprentice Grant Recipient.
Teaching America (© 2009)
-A suburban town is awakened from its slumber by the actions of a controversial high school history teacher.
Production
-Available for premiere.
Danny and Da Mob (© 2008)
-A CPA finds himself immersed in a mob shakedown, but can he figure his way out? Adapted from the novel by John Niblock.
Production
-Reader’s Theatre production by Monmouth College – 5/31/08. Dir. James DeYoung.
Awards
-Commissioned by Monmouth College.
A Shot in the Dark (© 2006)
-A phone call concerning their parents causes a brother and sister to reopen their past and face their future.
Productions
-Staged Reading as part of the Shantz Theatre Reading Series at American Theater Company – 1/24/06. Dir. Matt Fotis.
-Reading as part of the Missouri Playwrights Workshop – 2/17/09. Dir. David Crespy.
-Concert Reading by U of Missouri Summer Repertory Theatre’s Comedies-in-Concert – 7/21/09. Dir. David Crespy.
A Year in the Life of 25 Strangers Living in a City by the Lake (© 2005)
-A twelve month exploration of the lives of a city’s inhabitants and how they are connected.
Productions
-Production by Shantz Theatre in the 2005 Kansas City Fringe Festival presented at the Next Space Theatre –
7/29-31/05. Dir. Matt Fotis.
-Production by Shantz Theatre in the 2005 Indianapolis Fringe Festival at the Phoenix Underground Theatre –
8/19-28/05. Dir. Matt Fotis.
-Production by Shantz Theatre and Links Hall presented at Links Hall (Chicago, IL)
9/9-11/05. Dir. Matt Fotis.
-Staged Reading by Ten Grand and a Burger Productions (New York) as part of the Cold
Cuts Reading Series – 3/6/06. Dir. Jason Hewitt.
-Production by Shantz Theatre in the 2006 Minnesota Fringe Festival presented at The
Playwright’s Center – 8/3-14/06. Dir. Matt Fotis.
-Off-off-Broadway Production by Ten Grand Productions at The Algonquin Theater –
4/28/08-5/18/08. Dir. Shaun Colledge.
-Production by Albright College as part of the Greenhouse Series – 12/3/12. Dir. Bernadette Baron.
Awards
-Finalist for the 2005 Theatre Publicus Award for Dramatic Literature (Media Darlings).
-Honorable Mention for Literary Excellence, Theatre Publicus Prize for Dramatic Literature.
-Finalist for the Guthrie Theatre’s Fringe Encore.
-Ranked #7 out of 167 shows in audience attendance at 2006 MN Fringe.
-Finalist in the 3rd Annual Metropolis Performing Arts Centre New Play Festival.
-Named one of the “Top 7” reasons to attend the KC Fringe by The Kansas City Star.
The Van Gogh Exhibit (© 2004)
-A circular tale exploring relationships, politics, bus stations and nostalgia.
Productions
-Production by Shantz Theatre in the 2004 Minnesota Fringe Festival presented at the
Loring Playhouse – 8/6-15/04. Dir. Matt Fotis.
-Production by Shantz Theatre and Monmouth College presented at the Wells Theatre
10/2-3/04. Dir. Matt Fotis.
-Production by Illinois State University’s Freestage Committee, presented in the 2005
Freestage Festival at the Allen Studio Theatre – 4/23-30/05. Dir. Adal Rifai.
-Production by Shantz Theatre presented at the American Theater Company – 1/5-28/06. Dir. Matt Fotis.
Awards
-Named Anna’s Pick for the 2004 MN Fringe by Anna Pratt of the Minneapolis Skyway News.
-Finalist in the 2nd Annual Metropolis Performing Arts Centre New Play Festival.
-Alternate in the 2005 Region III KCACTF National Playwriting Program.
The Diner Variations (© 2003)
-Two life long friends reflect on their past and speculate about their future after a tragic death changes their lives.
Productions
-Production by Shantz Theatre in the 2003 Minnesota Fringe Festival presented at the
Hey City Theatre – 8/1-10/03. Dir. Matt Fotis.
Awards
-Included in the Eileen Heckart Senior Drama Archives at the Lawrence & Lee Theatre
Research Institute at The Ohio State University.
The Marriage of Marcus Tyler (© 2002, 2000)
-A family goes to extreme measures to avoid their worst fear: family.
Productions
-Staged reading by Monmouth College’s Crimson Masque – 5/1/01. Dir. James DeYoung.
-Staged reading by The Chameleon Theatre Circle (Apple Valley, MN) – 2/1/03. Dir. Tim Kuehl.
-Production by Shantz Theatre presented at the Breadline Theatre – 5/3-27/06. Dir. Matt Fotis.
-Production by Theatre on the Square (Indianapolis, IN) – 2/20-3/22/09. Dir. John Fullam.
Awards
-Quarter Finalist in the 2001 Sonoma Country Repertory Theatre’s SCRipts Festival.
-Showcase selection in the 2003 Chameleon Theatre Circle’s New Play Festival.
Lincoln’s Lagoon (© 2001)
-A school principal is murdered in the small town of Lincolnville, KY: can a blind Kentucky orphan save the day?
Productions
-Production by Monmouth College – 2/22-26/01. Dir. Matt Fotis
Awards
-Finalist in the 2002 Robert J. Pickering Award for Playwriting Excellence.
One-Act Plays
Nights on the Couch (© 2010)
-One man’s journey from child to parent told through five nights on the couch.
Productions
-Concert Reading as part of KCACTF Regional Festival – 1/18/11. Dir. David Marcia.
-Concert Reading as part of the Mizzou New Play Series – 4/13/11. Dir. David Marcia.
-Concert Reading as part of the KC/ACTF National Festival at the Kennedy Center Family Theater - 4/19/11.
Dir. Rebecca Hilliker.
-Production by Bismarck State College – 5/4-5/11. Dir. Derek Harper.
-Production by University of Missouri as part of the Life & Literature Performance Series – 9/15-18/11.
Dir. Noah Lelek. (Production Invited to KC/ACTF Region II Festival)
-Production by Allen Community College – 2/23-25/11. Dir. Tony Piazza.
-Production by Mitchell Area Community Theatre – 8/16-19/12. Dir. Carm Roster.
Awards
-Regional Winner & National Finalist for The John Cauble Short Play Award.
-KC/ACTF Regional Festival Invited Production, 2012.
Burying Mom (© 2007)
-One man’s journey to put his dead mother to rest…or he can just bury her in the backyard.
Productions
-Production by Shantz Theatre presented at Iowa Fringe Festival – 7/19-22/07. Dir. Matt Fotis
-Production by Shantz Theatre presented at Minnesota Fringe Festival – 8/1-12/07.
-Production by Shantz Theatre presented at Indianapolis Fringe Festival – 8/25-9/2/07.
-Production by Shantz Theatre presented at Gorilla Tango Theatre – 9/7-16/07.
-Staged Reading at the 2009 Great Plains Theatre Conference 5/26/09 – Dir. Matt Mason.
-Off-off-Broadway Production by Emerging Artists Theatre (NYC) as part of EATfest – 2/24-3/5/09. Dir. Deb Guston.
Awards
-Finalist & Selection in the 2009 Emerging Artists Theatre Spring EATfest.
-Finalist & Selection in the 2009 Great Plains Theatre Conference.
-Great Plains Theatre Conference New Voices Playwright.
-Honorable Mention in The John Cauble Short Play Award, 2009.
Simplicity: or The Day Ron Blomberg Ruined My Life (© 2002)
-A burnt-out screenwriter reflects on his life and ties his failed fortunes to Ron Blomberg’s game winning home run against the Boston Red Sox.
Productions
-Available for premiere.
Awards
-2nd Place Award in the 2001 Rosanna Graham Webster Creative Writing Contest.
The Candid Biography of a Single Chess Table Chosen at Random on an Ambiguous Spring Day in Central Park (© 2002)
-14 interconnected vignettes about life, death, sex and jogging converge on a chess table in Central Park.
Productions
-Production by Anvilhead Theatre (Monmouth, IL) – 12/6-9/01. Dir. Jeanette Nielsen.
-Production by Shantz Theatre in the 2002 Minnesota Fringe Festival presented at the Whitney Studio – 8/2-11/02.
Dir. Matt Fotis.
-Production by the Summer Company (Pittsburgh, PA) in the 2002 Pittsburgh New Works Festival – 9/5-8/02.
Dir. Jason Fleece.
-Production by Shantz Theatre and the Bryant Lake Bowl (Minneapolis, MN) presented at The Bryant Lake Bowl
Theatre – 10/7-28/02. Dir. Matt Fotis.
-Production by Shantz Theatre at the 2006 Indianapolis Fringe Festival presented at the Murat Theatre –
8/24-9/3/06. Dir. Matt Fotis.
Awards
-Donna Award recipient at the 2002 Pittsburgh New Works Festival.
-Selection for the 13th Annual Last Frontier Theatre Conference Play Lab.
-Last Frontier Theatre Conference Travel Grant Recipient.
The Mystery of Simon Levene (© 2002)
-Two people meet atop a building during an office party and explore their bizarre relationship.
Productions
-Production by Pegasus Theatre Company (Monte Rio, CA) – 6/13-15/02. Dir. Mark Gregory.
Awards
-2nd Place in the 2003 Sonoma County Repertory Theatre’s New Drama Works SCRipts Festival.
The Zebra Baby (© 2001)
-A young couple moves in to their first home, but when talk of a baby arrives things get out of control.
Productions
-Production by Anvilhead Theatre – 12/6-9/01. Dir. Vicki Kunz.
-Staged reading by Sonoma County Repertory Theatre – 9/19/02.
-Amateur production by Blackbox Theatre Productions (Santa Rosa, CA) presented at Maria Carrillo High School –
10/2002. Dir. Annmarie Jensen.
-Amateur production by Normal Community High School (Normal, IL) – 12/6-9/05. Dir. Kenny Metroff.
-Production by Shantz Theatre presented at the American Theater Company – 1/5-28/06. Dir. Jonathan Thomas.
Awards
-Winner of the 2002 Sonoma County Repertory Theatre’s New Drama Works SCRipts Festival.
-Finalist in the 2006 Intentional Theatre Short Play Festival.
-Honorable Mention in the 2006 Union League Club of Chicago Civic & Arts Foundation Fiction Competition.
-Finalist in the Curan Repertory Company’s Notes From the Underground Festival.
-Finalist in the 2007 Impact Theatre Winter One Act Festival.
-Finalist in the 2010 The Paw Paw Village Players One Act Festival.
On the Surface (© 2000)
-A family struggles to find their commonalities.
Productions
-Production by Monmouth College – 5/5-6/01. Dir. Matt Fotis.
Awards
-Finalist in the 2002 Sonoma County Repertory Theatre’s New Drama Works SCRipts Festival.
Ten-Minute Plays
Waiting for Sid & Ethel (©2012)
-A cat and a dog await the return of their owners and debate the limits of free will, God, and when it is acceptable to pee.
Productions
-Available for premiere.
King Lear – The Sequel (©2012)
-Shakespeare’s tragedy leaves some unanswered questions…like who is the new king? Luckily there is a sequel that answers that question and more.
Productions
-Production as part of 23:59 – A Revolution of Plays, University of Missouri. 9/22/2012. Dir. Carrie Winship.
The Butterfly Effect (©2011)
-Ben is in love with Sarah Preston, the most beautiful girl in school, but she doesn’t even know he exists. With the help of a butterfly, Ben aims to make his dream come true.
Productions
-Production as part of 23:59 – A Revolution of Plays, University of Missouri. 9/10/2011. Dir. Samantha Korenfeld.
58 & 59 (© 2010)
-Two pages in a library book, stuck together for eternity waiting to be opened. One thinks he'll never be free; one thinks it was meant to be. A love story about hope and the power of knowledge.
Productions
-Staged Reading as part of KCACTF Regional Festival – 1/20/11. Dir. Elizabeth Thompson.
-Staged Reading as part of Fancy Pants Theater’s Director’s Festival. March 12, 2011. Dir. Katy Copeland.
-Concert Reading as part of the Mizzou New Play Series – 4/13/11. Dir. David Marcia.
-Concert Reading as part of the KCACTF National Ten Minute Play Festival at the Kennedy Center Family Theater –
4/22/11. Dir. John Mayer.
-Production by Bismarck State College – 5/4-5/11. Dir. Brittany Kuhn.
-Production by North Hennepin Community College – 5/5/11. Dir. Elyse Evans.
-Production by First Run Theatre Company in the Spectrum Festival – 10/14-23/11. Dir. Phillip Allen Coan.
-Production by Northern Michigan University Short Play Festival – 12/7-8/11. Dir. Ryan Sitzberger.
Awards
-Regional Winner and National Finalist for the KC/ACTF National Ten Minute Play Award.
-Festival Winner & Audience Choice Winner in Fancy Pants Theatre’s Director’s Festival.
Chair Prom (© 2010)
-Four chairs – each battling their own high school demons – gather for the final night of their high school lives.
Productions
-Available for premiere.
Oedipus: The Prequel (© 2010)
-Before Sophocles’ play begins, Oedipus and Jocasta must get together. The story of their early love…and some other stuff.
Productions
-Production as part of 23:59 – A Revolution of Plays, University of Missouri. 9/11/2010. Dir. Peter Smith.
-Staged Reading as part of Fancy Pants Theater’s Director’s Festival. March 12, 2011. Dir. Joseph Seibert.
-Production by Bismarck State College – 5/4-5/11. Dir. Tim Rosin.
-Production by Mildred’s Umbrella Theater Company – 12/1-10/11. Dir. Jonathan Colunga.
-Production by the Barn Players in the 6x10 Festival – 12/9-10/11. Dir. Kim Hentges.
-Production in the ArtsCenter Stage 11th Annual 10 By 10 in the Triangle Festival – 7/6-22/12. Dir. John Boni.
Awards
-Finalist in the ArtsCenter Stage 10th Annual 10 By 10 in the Triangle Festival.
-Finalist in the ArtsCenter Stage 11th Annual 10 By 10 in the Triangle Festival.
Erased from History (© 2010)
-The last survivor of the Titanic. The architect of the Lusitania. Lincoln’s first vice-president. A boy looking for Ms. Harrison’s biology class. And a Dodo bird. All trapped and looking for a way to back to reality.
Productions
-Available for premiere.
The Crying Club (© 2010)
-A club for the sad (or wannabe sad) people, which also happens to be a wine cellar featuring John Milton.
Productions
-Production as part of the “8 in 48” Claire Donaldson Short Play Festival. 9/11/2010. Dir. Jonathon Josten.
Matt Directs Hamlet: A Metatheatrical Odyssey (© 2010)
-A director tries to direct Hamlet in Hamlet and gets subsumed by his own multiple selves. A tale of shifting realities and changing identities.
Productions
-Workshop at the University of Missouri. March 17, 2010. Dir. Matt Fotis.
-Production as part of the “8 in 48” Claire Donaldson Short Play Festival. 9/11/2010.
Dir. Jayna Gearhart Fitzsimmons.
The Music Shop (© 2009)
-Two men at different stages of their lives connect through music.
Productions
-Production as part of 23:59 – A Revolution of Plays, University of Missouri. 11/7/2009. Dir. Noah Lelek.
A Casket Man (© 2008)
-Todd plans his own funeral and needs his brother to spread his ashes, but he has other ideas.
Productions
-Off-off-Broadway Production by Curan Repertory Company (NYC) as part of the Notes
from the Underground Festival. May 19-24, 2009. Dir. Ken Terrell.
-Production as part of the MU Life & Literature in Performance Series. September, 17-20, 2009. Dir. Emily Rollie.
A Casket Gal (© 2009)
-Tammy plans her own funeral and needs her sister to spread her ashes, but she has other ideas.
Productions
-Production as part of the MU Life & Literature in Performance Series. September 17- 20, 2009. Dir. Emily Rollie.
-Production by Acme Theatre Productions as part of the Acme New Works Winter Festival. January 8-16, 2010.
Awards
-Winner of the 2010 Minnesota Shorts Play Festival
Insomniacs in Heat (© 2008)
-An unseasonably hot and humid October evening leaves a young couple struggling for sleep…and something else.
Productions
-Production by Bismarck State College – 5/4-5/11. Dir. Alex Johnson.
The Pants (© 2004)
-A man and a saleswoman realize there is more at stake in buying a pair of paints than either of them thought.
Productions
-Available for premiere.
Moving On (© 2001)
-Ariel is ready to head off to college, but are her parents?
Productions
-Production by Anvilhead Theatre – 12/6-9/01. Dir. Kyle Anderson.
Sketch Shows
Five Golden Years, Foreclosed Houses, Free Healthcare, Too Much Blago, and Marshall Field’s is Still Macy’s (© 2010) - Writer
-A five year anniversary show celebrating the best of Shantz Theatre’s Holiday Sketch Show.
Productions
-Production by Shantz Theatre presented at Gorilla Tango Theatre – 12/3-19/10. Dir. Kenny Metroff.
Northern Foreclosure: All I Want for Christmas Are My Front Door Keys (© 2008) - Writer
-With no money, a crumbling economy and no home life sucks…Merry Christmas!
Productions
-Production by Shantz Theatre presented at Gorilla Tango Theatre – 12/5-21/08. Dir. Kenny Metroff
No-EL, or how The BlagojeGrinch Stole Christmas (© 2007) – Head Writer
-A holiday sketch show extravaganza – somebody stop Gov. Blagojevich from ruining Christmas!
Productions
-Production by Shantz Theatre presented at Gorilla Tango Theatre – 12/7-23/07. Dir. Matt Fotis.
Awards
-Listed as Recommended by The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Suntimes, Chicago Magazine, MetroMix, RedEye,
Chicagoist.com, Windy City Times, Going Chicago and Midwestbusiness.com
Requiem for a Department Store, or how Jesus taught me to shop at Macy’s (© 2006) – Head Writer
-An offbeat satirical sketch show celebrating the holiday season!
Productions
-Production by Shantz Theatre presented at Gorilla Tango Theatre – 12/8-17/06. Dir. Matt Fotis
Awards
-Listed as Recommended/Best Bet by The Chicago Tribune, The Daily Herald, New City Chicago, and
MidwestBusiness.com.
Solo-Performance/Storytelling
My Fragile Family Tree: Stories of Fathers and Sons (© 2010)
-A series of tales about being a father and a son in the 21st Century.
Productions
-Production by Shantz Theatre at the Unicorn Theatre as part of the 2010 Kansas City
Fringe Festival – 7/28-31/2010.
-Production by the University of Missouri at the Corner Playhouse – 9/16-20/2010. Dir. Noah Lelek.
Mike & Matt (© 2010)
-A series of tales told by the Fotis brothers about growing up, responsibility and failure.
Productions
-Production by Shantz Theatre at the University of Minnesota Rarig Center Thrust Stage
as part of the 2010 Minnesota Fringe Festival – 8/5-15/2010.
Potpourri Potluck Kitchen Sink Meatloaf (© 2008)
-A collection of stories ranging from bad gifting to tyrannical squirrels.
Productions
-Production by Shantz Theatre at Theatre on the Square as part of the 2008 Indy Fringe
Festival – 8/22-9/1/2008. Dir. Jeanette Nielsen.
Baby Sotis (© 2008)
-The mostly true story of the birth of my son.
Productions
-Presented at the Central States Communication Association Conference as part of the
Performance Studies Division – 4/2/2009.
-University Production as part of the MU Life & Literature in Performance Series. 9/20/2009.
