Short Plays
A Short Play is a moment in a lifetime. A glimpse inside a mind or a relationship. It can be a heroic conflict, a tentative conversation, or a sobering resolution. It is a full-length play, with a beginning, middle and end, laid out over a brief period of time.
The following short plays aren’t all exactly 10 minutes long (although some of them would like to be) but they are an extremely diverse set of stories, encounters, breakdowns and break outs. Each is very different than the last, and I wager you won’t be able to anticipate what comes next.
BLACK BALLOONS
Three people arrive at a disturbing birthday party for someone they don't know, and don't remember why they are there. The only clues are the brightly colored balloons they carry…. (2M, 1F)
More Reviews for BLACK BALLOONS:
“Wow! Barry Wallace’s BLACK BALLOONS is unique, suspenseful, and down right creepy! The way in which Wallace pulls back the layers is expertly executed. This is a great dark comedy for your short play festival! “
“A very well structured mystery with terrific production opportunities.”
“A birthday party that I'm glad I attended! This is a creepy horror story that had me guessing throughout!”
BAGGAGE
A woman waiting to board a plane must contend with another passenger with some very odd baggage, who helps her discover some baggage of her own.
(2M, 1F)
Reviews for TWICE A DAY:
“Twice a Day is a hilarious, zany romp that perfectly balances physical and spoken comedy. The dynamic among the four older women is delightful, and their antics with the antique clock are pure chaos. A great addition to any festival, with rich roles that let seasoned actors shine!”
“A fun piece that manages to carry both spoken and physical comedy well. It's Zany, bordering on farce, and would be a welcome addition to any festival. With four excellent roles for older women, this would let their comedic chops shine. It's a breath of fresh air to see characters like this so fully developed.”
ALL HAIL TO WILL
Inhabitants of a future colony on the Moon discuss their lives, under the watchful eyes of Artificial Intelligence.
(3M, 2F)
DRAPER VS DRAPER
A husband and wife appear before a judge seeking to settle their divorce dispute. At the heart of the disagreement is a particularly onerous cat, with an unusual appetite... (non-musical version) (2M, 1F)
BEHIND THE BLEACHERS
A couple of bullies gets a taste of their own medicine on game night. What is a sidekick to do? (3M)
TWICE A DAY
Chaos, hijinks, and hilarity ensue when a gaggle of aging “ladies-who-lunch” stumble into possession of a beautiful and intriguing (and broken) antique grandfather clock during their yearly antiquing club flea market crawl. (4F)
THE APPOINTMENT
A woman shows up for her dentist appointment, but the waiting room and the office is empty. Where is everybody? And what's making that ominous thumping sound from behind the walls?? (1F, 1A)
THE FINEST IN THE WORLD
Two men meet for a civil dinner one night in the big city. But these are not two ordinary men - they fight crime in extraordinary ways. And one of them has finally lost it. (2M)
SORRY OLD BEAN
Two old beans are lost in a canyon and learn they might not be as close friends as they thought they were... (2M)
NEVERGLADES
Peter and Wendy and the gang have to regroup in the Florida Everglades after being kicked out of Neverland. (2M,1F,3A)
RALPH OF ATLANTIS
Two Atlanteans relax in their undersea paradise until disaster strikes. (2F)
BLUE’S CLUELESS
It’s just another episode of that popular children’s show with your host Steve, his lovable dog, Blue, and... a murder? (2M,1A)
Reviews for BLACK BALLOONS:
“Wow. An audience should be warned to unsettle into their seats for this one. This piece is very intriguing and mysterious. The word I keep coming back to is unsettling, and I mean that as a compliment.”
“It's creepy all right. This is a fun piece for a group to perform - the story is straightforward and well done. The characters are unique and the pacing is just right. Barry Wallace has created a strong ten minutes slice of , well, maybe not life, but theater. Well done!”
“This play hits the absolute sweetspot for me. A wonderful mix of creepy, intrigue, and realness. It kind of reminds me of No Exit with it's fluidity, subtle terror, and seemingly never-ending eternal loop..."Is that the end? Or the beginning?" Emily says. I'm new to Barry Wallace's work but not for long. This is a wonderful play that deserves production.”
“Talk about grabbing you by the throat and not letting go! This creepy little tale of birthdays, balloons and blackouts had me riveted from page one. I had NO idea where this was going, but once I got there, like the three characters in the play, I couldn't get back out. I HAD to know where this was going. Barry Wallace hooked me like I was a trout in a stream. I know this because my mouth was hanging open throughout my read. This was excellent.”
Reviews for GROCERY LIST:
“A tender and moving portrayal here. You're touched by the situation, but you're also inspired at the kindness of Kristi. It was nice to read something that showed the potential for good in humanity and how we can all help each other when needed. Powerful roles here for actors that might portray them. A very well composed ten minute.”
“‘Grocery List’ packs a powerful emotional punch. The central theme of this narrative is grief and how it can impact daily life. Charles’s struggle to find items in the grocery store parallels his larger struggle to navigate life without his loving wife. The play’s climax is both heartbreaking and cathartic, providing profound insight into the depths of Charles’s sorrow.”
“A beautiful piece. There's a certain terror of being totally lost in a grocery store that anyone over the age of 65 is aware of. Barry Wallace captures the confusion and the anger perfectly and Kristi, the store clerk is a perfect foil. Very nice - this deserves a production and a nice intimate audience!”
“I read this with tears in my eyes. Raw, true and honest. Barry Wallace’s play is set in the most ordinary of places, a grocery store. But it becomes a minefield of memories for a grieving widower. The tears were for his disorienting loss and also for the kindness of a young store clerk who comforts him. This one will stick with me.”
Reviews for BAGGAGE:
“BARRY WALLACE makes standing in line waiting to board an airplane much more interesting than the usual mayhem. “Baggage” is a fun play. I enjoyed reading it.”
“I think i just experienced the written equivalent of a fever dream. Or I've had a bit too much Robitussen. Either way, Barry Wallace's extremely off-kilter comedy cured what ailed me. Because laughter is the best medicine, and brother, this thing made me laugh. It's bizarre in all the best ways, from wacky boarding requirements to quirky passengers, this was a hoot and a half.“
“This piece is very much cup of tea -- a little bit of humor, a little bit of absurdity, and a little bit of pathos. Wonderfully done!”
Reviews for THE EIGHTY-SIXTH SOUL:
“I loved reading this comic spoof of 1920s-era detectives and their work. It is Technicolor, splashy, flashy fun with its elaborate language, Jazz Era panache, giddy logic that somehow makes sense -- pure joy. It's clear Barry Wallace loves this genre; "The Eighty-Sixth Soul" is a loving parody. And, yes, the ending is a surprise.”
“I have to admit I wasn't sure where this one was going but then... bang! I should have seen it coming. I think this piece would look really cool in production, especially with a good costume designer. Excellent work!”
Reviews for THE POPSICLE PROCLAMATION:
“The Popsicle Proclamation is a charming and humorous look at childhood rebellion, with sharp dialogue and a nostalgic feel. The elderly characters bring delightful energy to their mischievous past, blending humor and warmth in a whimsical story. A sweet, laugh-out-loud reflection on defiance and friendship!”
“Whimsical, nostalgic, and tinged with the bittersweet humor that comes with age. The dialogue is sharp and full of delightful turns of phrase. There is a real warmth here, even in the jabs and jests. Always remember… they may take our lives, but they’ll never take our popsicles!!”
GROCERY LIST
An elderly man is unable to find the items he needs at the grocery store, until a sympathetic worker helps him discover the true - and tragic - source of his problem.
(1M, 1F)
FOR THE LOVE OF A MAD SCIENTIST
A mad scientist is bored after years of the same old experiments, and struggles with his commitment to diabolical mayhem. Can his devoted assistant shake him out of his melancholy?
(2M, 1F)
Reviews for FOR THE LOVE OF A MAD SCIENTIST:
“Funny riffs here on the mad scientist tropes. (Loved all the references.) There was one moment in particular that made me laugh heartily at the overall construction of it. Beyond that, however, there are some nifty twists that will surprise you as you read and/or experience. This would definitely be a great fit in a short horror or scifi themed festival!”
Reviews for ALL HAIL TO WILL:
“A crushing & crucial indictment of our current age, projected onto every possible future.”
Reviews for DRAPER VS DRAPER:
“A delicious divorce melodrama. This would make a fantastic radio play.”
THE POPSICLE PROCLAMATION, OR THE GREAT PRESCHOOL REVOLT OF 1937
An elderly man and woman reminisce about the time they revolted against their preschool. Viva la revolution!
(1M, 2F)
DRAPER VS DRAPER
(THE MUSICAL!)
A husband and wife appear before a judge seeking to settle their divorce dispute. At the heart of the disagreement is a particularly onerous cat, with an unusual appetite...
(Musical Version) (2M, 1F)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The newest member of the Board of Directors is excited to join. Wait till he realizes what this Board actually does.... (2M, 2A)
TIME CAPSULE
It’s October 1, 2025, and the mayor of a small town is about to open the 1925 time capsule in the town square. However, the contents are impossible, astonishing, and a bit…frightening. (2M, 1F)
DRIVE THROUGH
A famous movie star is back in his hometown, but his visit to a local fast food restaurant forces him to confront his past.(2M)
OUTATIME
A teen obsessed with Back to the Future attempts to build his own time machine in his garage. But will it impress the girl next door? (1M,1F,1A)
TIME TO VANISH
Five young friends hanging around in a junkyard make a fascinating - and terrifying - discovery, and the loyalty and love of two brothers are tested.(5M)
WASABI NIGHT
A husband and wife attempt to have a leisurely meal at a restaurant, but something is wrong with everything… (1M,2F)
KYRIE
A Praying Mantis gets caught on a fuchsia knit sweater at a One-Percenter gathering. Yeah, we don't get it, either. (1M,1F,1A)
THE EIGHTY-SIXTH SOUL
An old-school husband and wife detective duo try to solve a crime involving multiple causes of death for one man. But will they survive long enough to figure out whodunnit? (1M, 1F)
THESE KIDS TODAY
A concerned American couple grapples with their children's newfound obsession with "electronic devices" that are causing falling grades and self-absorption. (2M, 1Any)
A CAPSULE OF TIME
Four classically-trained friends bury a time capsule in the midst of a social upheaval. What are they putting in it, and why are they speaking in iambic pentameter? (4F)
PEARLY GATES
Steve has died, and St. Peter awaits him at the Pearly Gates. When does he get his cloud and harp...and wings? (1M, 1A)
UP AND DOWN
An old man decides to ride his favorite roller coaster one last time, but after the ride finds he is young again. He now has the chance to safe the life of his father, who died in the war. (6M)
SUMMER BEACH
A couple visit the beach on a nice lazy afternoon. But they have a job to do, and time and tide wait for no one... (1M,1F)
SPYGLASSES AND TALL SHIPS
A captain and first mate in the era of tall ships discuss the disposition of the captain’s spyglass. (2M)
REVOLUTION DAY AT THE BASTILLE
A freedom fighter in France meets up with a cheeseman at the Bastille. (2M)
WHERE IT ALL WENT WRONG
A man and woman have a fight, and the man must replay the various parts of the argument to figure out where it All Went Wrong. And he has some unusual help... (1M,1F,1A)