Script of the Week: It's a Pleasure to Be Sad by David-Matthew Barnes

IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE SAD
Pay-what-you-want digital copy
Cast: 1 woman, 1 man (characters are teens)
Genre: Drama
Tags + Themes: 1960's, Depression, Classism, Los Angeles,
Dating, High School
Audience: High School
Read an Excerpt
Monologue: Cathy
Production Rights: Blue Dasher Press

It's a Pleasure to Be Sad by David-Matthew Barnes is our Script of the Week.

Set in 1967, Cathy is haunted by images of the Watts Riots, an event she watched from her bedroom window two years ago. Dawson is conflicted with guilt and feels responsible for Cathy’s happiness while trying to understand the bizarre behavior of her wealthy parents as his own family struggles with poverty.

This dramatic short plays features roles for 1 woman and 1 man. Both characters are in high school.

New Release! Riding with James Dean by David-Matthew Barnes

David-Matthew's new young adult novella Riding with James Dean is now available for purchase in 13 countries. This Kindle Unlimited title is available exclusively in eBook with a cover price of just .99¢.

About the book: When seventeen-year-old Johnny moves to a sleepy new town and meets the enigmatic Marco, the glamorous Mary, and the punk princess Jemma, his summer nights are soon filled with friendship and love.

"Barnes has created an ethereal, otherworldliness that is captivating...told with sensitivity. You can feel the love Barnes has for his characters with every word...the ambiance is rich and the imagery is poetic..."

Add this title to your Goodreads library.

Where to purchase Riding with James Dean:

US
Australia
Brazil
Canada
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Mexico
Netherlands
Spain
UK

Riding with James Dean Available to Pre-Order

We're very happy to announce that the new young adult novelette Riding with James Dean by David-Matthew Barnes is now available to pre-order in 13 countries. The book will be released on November 28th (one week from today). This Kindle Unlimited title is available exclusively in eBook with a cover price of just .99¢.

About the book: When seventeen-year-old Johnny moves to a sleepy new town and meets the enigmatic Marco, the glamorous Mary, and the punk princess Jemma, his summer nights are soon filled with friendship and love.

Where to pre-order your copy:

US
Australia
Brazil
Canada
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Mexico
Netherlands
Spain
UK

Script of the Week: Awake by Wren Valentino

Awake by Wren Valentino

After meeting in a local bar and drinking together, Justin brings Misty back to his apartment and lets her pass out on his couch. When morning comes, the two realize how much they actually need each other.

This short play by Wren Valentino features roles for one woman and one man. Both characters are in their 20's. This play contains adult subject matter.

Awake is available to purchase and download in our PayHip Store.

Script of the Week: Trixie's Last Date with the Boogeyman by Wren Valentino

A Southern belle named Trixie Howard is forced to survive a date from Hell in a desperate attempt to no longer be single.

This comedic short play by Wren Valentino features roles for 2 women and 1 man. All characters are in their 20's.

This play contains adult language and subject matter.

Trixie's Last Date with the Boogeyman is available to purchase in our PayHip Store.

Monologues That Kick Ass

Monologues That Kick Ass is an international bestselling collection by award-winning playwright David-Matthew Barnes. The book contains 121 ass-kicking monologues (91 monologues for women and 30 monologues for men) from 32 widely produced and published plays.

Monologues That Kick Ass is available exclusively on Kindle.

Script of the Week: Johnny Ramirez Really Wants to Kiss Me by David-Matthew Barnes

When star student Johnny Ramirez is selected to be the math tutor for the always-misunderstood Alex Wilde, the two young men discover love for the first time in this charming one-act play for teens. The script was an official selection for the DC Queer Theatre Festival in Washington, D.C. and received the Slam Boston Award for Best Play.

This tender one-act play by David-Matthew Barnes features roles for two young men and requires a simple set to produce.

Available exclusively on Kindle.

Production Highlights

Johnny Ramirez Really Wants to Kiss Me received a world premiere at Stage Q in Madison, Wisconsin where it was nationally selected to be performed at their annual festival Queer Shorts. This production was directed by Erik Weinke. The role of Alex was first performed by Nathan Figueroa. The role of Johnny was first performed by Gilbert Villalpando.

Johnny Ramirez Really Wants to Kiss Me received a New York premiere at the 78th Street Theatre Lab, where it was nationally selected to be performed as part of the festival Stage This, Too!, presented by Frank Blocker and Sydney Stone for Fn Productions.

Johnny Ramirez Really Wants to Kiss Me received a Boston premiere at the Boston Center for the Arts. The play was presented by Another Country Productions and directed by Foster Johns.

Johnny Ramirez Really Wants to Kiss Me received a second New York production at the Roy Arias Studio Theatres, where it was performed as part of the festival Short Play Lab, presented by John Chatterton.

Johnny Ramirez Really Wants to Kiss Me was an official selection of the 2013 DC Queer Theatre Festival in Washington, D.C. This production was directed by Alvin Ford.