PLAYS AND MONOLOGUES

TWO ACT PLAYS
GEOGRAPHY -- When Hurricane Katrina separates Hannah and Lisa, Hannah desperately seeks help in finding her mother.
Finalist, Contra Costa Times New Play Competition.
Winner, Solano Repertory Company's New Play Competition. Produced by Solano Repertory. Nominated for Arty and Elly Awards. Scene from Geography read by the Hill-Murray Young Performer's Workshop, Maplewood, MN.

PELICANS --Beth hopes to help legendary actors Arthur and Jessica Borden revive their careers with a low-budget production titled PELICANS, in which everything that could possibly go wrong does – in a big way. PELICANS received an award of excellence from the Shakespeare in the ‘Burg competition. "Thank you for sending us Pelicans. It's a funny, charming, well-paced play with a unique voice. Michael Bulger, Associate Artistic Director, Clubbed Thumb Theatre."

MORGANA'S HEART/SAVING THE PANDA. Winner Theatre on the Ridge/ California Arts Council competition. Morgana got a new heart from Gabriel. Now she can't get him out of her life.

ONE ACT PLAYS
TO TALK OR NOT TO TALK -- THAT IS THE QUESTION -- Will Oliver, a talking cat, save the day?  Produced by Somerset Community College. Terry Sandler's 8th grade students at Peekskill Middle School also performed TO TALK OR NOT TO TALK.

ELLA'S EVIL SPIRITS -- When Ella decides to rid her new house of evil spirits one room is totally off limits for her germaphobic friend, even when a witch promises to banish those spirits with telepathy.  Selected for Harper College's Summer InZone program.  Instructor, Paul Barile. 

WHATEVER ... Is Donna really over Kevin? If so, why is she so interested in spying on him?  This play was performed by the Lama Theater Company.

THE CURVEBALL --- Will a baseball player step up to the plate when he meets his new bosses?   
 
MEATLOAF -- When Amber and Casey speak up, cyberspace bullies back down. Selected for Harper College's Summer InZone program.  Instructor, Paul Barile. Terry Sandler's students at Peekskill Middle School performed Meatloaf.

DOOR TO DOOR -- A day for celebration in Murlock until suddenly everything falls apart. If the groom ends up in jail, what will happen to Murlock's wedding of the year?  Produced by Southeastern Ohio Regional Theater Guild.

FREEZE -- When Bruno hires a private investigator to tail his wife he's in for a big surprise. Performed by Readers Theatre Repertory.

THE OLIVE BRANCH -- As symbols, messengers and the farmers' friend, Max and Bob have their work cut out for them. Performed by Readers Theatre Repertory.

 REMOVE YOUR BELT AND SHOES, LOVE and AIR RAGE were performed by Haddonfield Plays and Players.  

STAYIN' ALIVE -- In this Romeo and Juliet update how will Rob and Julie manage to live happily ever after?

HOT SUMMER IN THE CITY - It's 1944. Will the City of Dreams grant fame and fortune to a young actress from Springfield?  Directed by Wendy Mae Shelton, produced by Nylon Fusion Theatre Company, NYC. Performed as a reading by AirPlay. Also performed by Hercules Radio Theater.

ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE -- Will Rob and Julie manage to defy Shakespeare and live happily ever after at The Globe?  ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE was performed by Lama Theate Company, NY.  

BUTTERFLIES, FIRE! FIRE!, SOUL FOOD?, THE MYSTERY BOX, THE PURSE produced by Jack Dyville's Youth Education on Stage, Williston, North Dakota.

GROOMZILLA -- What will happen when the groom insists on being the wedding planner?  Performed as a reading for F.A.C.T.'s WORDS AND WINE event NYC.​  Produced by Heralds of Hope Theater Company.

NEVER ON SUNDAY -- performed as a reading by City Lights Theater Company, San Jose, CA.
Finalist for Pigs Do Fly Productions, FLA.

NAME GAME -- Finalist, Heideman Award, Actors Theatre of Louisville.
Family gatherings can be stressful for a couple and their adopted toddler.
This play was performed for SHE SPEAKS, an International Women's Day celebration in Kitchener, Ontario and produced by The Village Players.
"It was just great to read such a thoughtful and human consideration of questions of family and legacy and belonging." Adrien-Alice Hansel, Directory of New Play Development, Actors Theatre of Louisville.

BLINKING IN TREETOPS -- Fireflies who live only a fortnight dare not waste time finding love. Produced by Thespian Production FLA, Produced by Iowa's City Circle Acting Company. Performed as a podcast by Tin Can Podcast 2012.  Thespian Production produced BLINKING IN TREETOPS for its annual "Limelight: Go Green" play festival at Joria Mainstage Theater and the Langston Hughes Library theater center, NYC.  Also performed by Spokane Radio Theater. Thespian Production again produced this play. Performed by Lady Plays Podcast. Performed as a reading by OnAir Players. BLINKING IN TREETOPS was performed by Thespian Production for its Go Green Show September 27, 2019 at NYC Health + Hospitals, Bronx, NY. Panglossian Productions selected BLINKING IN TREETOPS for a podcast in 2020. Theatre Three will produce this play May, 2020.

WHAT HAPPENS IN A TAVERN STAYS IN A TAVERN --  Produced by O.G. Productions.

FIREFLIES -- Produced by Menagerie Theater, UK.  FORTNIGHT -- Produced by Seoul Players and by Wayne Theatre Alliance for The River City Radio Hour.  
  
CHASING THE ELEPHANT/ CHASING ELLA  -- What’s really at stake for one student trying to pass Traffic School? And what about the elephant in the room?   CHASING THE ELEPHANT was produced by Words Players.

KARMA -- Will financial freedom for Kate, Jessica and Carla change their reunion plans?

TURN, TURN, TURN -- performed as a reading for OnAir Players.

FLOATING THE FOOD CHAIN -- Saving the ecosystem is Sherman’s mission in life, but his mother doesn’t agree. She wants him to stop building dams and start searching for a proper mate before it’s too late.

THE TEA PARTY --How will the Mad Hatter and March Hare persuade Alice to join the party of NO?  Wandering Aesthetics for their Get Out the Vote performances and Bread and Roses Theatre, London.

TEA PARTY -- five minutes. Performed as a reading for Writing the Election, produced by Twinbiz and hosted by Dr. Barbara Ann Teer's National Black Theatre. Also performed as a reading by Wandering Aesthetics for their Get Out the Vote performances

THE KINDLE PLAY -- Will Caitlyn and Duck Man defeat an insidious mob determined to destroy books?   Produced by Theatre Inspirato, Toronto. Performed by Readers Theater Repertory of San Pedro. DOWN WITH THE KINDLE was performed at 353 Studios, N.Y. by Julia Genoveva’s An Evening with Julia and Friends.  

SCARIMONIOUS -- Sue has a scarimonious problem for Detective Britney and her assistants to solve. Produced by Youth Education on Stage.

  LOST -- Joe is always helpful to people adrift in a strange city. Produced twice for Asphalt Jungle Shorts.

LIONS & TIGERS & BEARS, OH MY! Produced by Youth Education On Stage, Summer Shorts, Williston North Dakota.
 
VICTORY -- Generations collide when Emily tells her parents she’s acting as a surrogate for a childless couple. Performed as a reading by OdysseyStage Theatre, North Carolina.

THE TEA PARTY, A PERSON OF INTEREST, SARAH HITS THE ROAD and GOING TO THE DOGS selected   by Tom Kelly, Political Action Comedy, TD Theater, Sacramento, CA. A PERSON OF INTEREST was performed by KTDT Digital Radio Theatre. Performed by Bread and Roses Theatre, London.

 STREET HAMLET/THE DIE IS CAST -- workshopped by Penobscot Theatre Company.  Hamlet seeks to dethrone his uncle Claudius, whose motto is “All war, all the time.” 
Thanks for submitting STREET HAMLET and I'm thrilled we presented it."
Scott RC Levy, Producing Artistic Director. STREET HAMLET performed as a staged reading in the Three Wise Monkey's Short Leaps Festival, Eureka Theater, San Francisco.  THE DIE IS CAST -- produced by Love Creek Productions at Beckman Theatre, New York.

DONNY'S DINER -- performed as part of Azuza Pacific University's HOLLYWOOD SHOWCASE. This play was also produced by Onstage/Offstage.  

SEPTEMBER TWELVE/MARKERS -- On September 12, 2001 two sisters try to keep a promise to their mother. (1) Performed at the University of North Dakota (2) Stockyards Theatre Project, Chicago. (3) Finalist, Nancy Weil New Play Search. (4) Read for International Women's Day, Mesa, Arizona. (5) Read for International Women's Day, Women's Theater Project, Florida. (6) Produced for the University of Maryland at Baltimore's IN10 Play Festival along with newly commissioned plays by Naomi Wallace and Tina Howe.

THE CHRISTMAS FRUITCAKE CAPER -- a Dragnet parody, produced by OnStage Atlanta.

THE GLASS SLIPPER -- What happens when the glass slipper fits more than one sister? Produced by YOUTH EDUCATION ON STAGE, Williston, North Dakota.  Selected for Harper College's Summer InZone program.  Instructor, Paul Barile.  THE GLASS SLIPPER also received a second production by YES Summer Shorts. 

MAJOR ISSUES -- The clock is ticking, the minister's waiting –- will Wanda abandon her obsession with Mars and actually get married?  This play was performed as a reading by Portland's Radiant Theatre. 

SCRAMBLE TIME/AIR RAGE -- When a flight attendant hates her job it's time to scramble.  AIR RAGE was produced by Seoul Players and for Chicago’s Ritalin Fest.  SCRAMBLE TIME was performed  by the theater department of Somerset Community College, KY.  A two-character version was produced by More Theatre, Scotland.  This play was also produced by Marin Fringe Festival, San Rafael, California and as a reading by OnAir Players.

SUPER MOM, AIR RAGE, HAPPY HALLOWEEN, DOLL FACE and LOST produced by Seoul Players, Korea. 

DATING ELVIS -- In this short comedy Lulu has a dream and the courage to go after it.  Dana doesn’t but that’s about to change if Lulu has anything to say about it.  Under the title PERFECTAMENTO, this play was produced by the Blue Rose Moon Theatre Company for the Philadelphia Fringe Festival.  A monologue from this play was performed as a reading for PICKING UP THE PIECES, a Dating Issues theater event presented by the University of North Dakota.  Produced by AlphaNYC.

RACING WITH THE MOONS -- When Dale turns up for a race on the wrong day, Fred  has a few tricks up his sleeve. Performed as a reading by AgeQuake Theatre.

PAC BELL PARK -- A grandmother and grandson bond over baseball. Instant Theatre, Columbus Ohio. Voted Best Celebration of Life.

WATER ON MARS/NO RUSSIAN DRESSING -- wedding plans are in jeopardy unless a planetary scheme is abandoned.
(1) Staged reading for Ashland (Oregon) Ten Minute Play Competition.
(2) Finalist, Maxim Mazumdar award, Alleyway Theatre, Buffalo, NY.
(3) Finalist, Drury University Play Competition.
(4) Produced by Big Idea Theater, Roseville, California.
(5) Short list, Short & Sweet Festival, Sydney, Australia
(6) Produced by Two Chairs Theater Company, Colorado.

BORN IN A TRUNK -- When Sara agrees to promote her latest book a crisis involving a young woman and a birth certificate will change her life forever.  Performed as a reading by Between Us Productions, New York. Produced by Three Roses Players, Hollywood.

NIGHTMARE CAMP -- Can a camp counselor really help campers purge their worst nightmares? Staged reading, Ashland (Oregon) Ten Minute Play Competition.
 
THE TRUTH MACHINE -- Jane can't help clicking and buzzing people when they lie. Being a human lie detector cost her her  job.  Produced by Another Country Productions, Boston Playwrights Theatre.  Produced by AlphaNYC.

BLING BLING/BINGO -- The clock is ticking for fashion photographer Liz as she tries to help Carl and Jenny find romance and still get to her photo shoot on time. Performed for Ohio State's Lawrence and Lee Theatre Research Institute's Limbo Project.  BINGO was performed by San Pedro Readers Theater.

SWEEPLESS IN SPOMONIA -- Tracking down Spomonia’s broom thief sends Princess Ella and her loyal subjects on a perilous journey. Fifty minutes.

SWEEPLESS -- WINNER Prince George's Theatre Competition. Tracking down Spomonia’s broom thief sends Princess Ella and her loyal subjects on a perilous journey. Thirty minutes. Produced with music by Jason Wilson by the Teen Performance Ensemble of Prince George's County, Maryland.

A STITCH IN TIME -- 55 minutes. How will Prince Winsome find a bride if the glass slipper is missing?

NO DICE -- Can beggars be choosers? Produced by Seoul Players. Produced for Asphalt Jungle Shorts and Ah Ha Moments, Kitchener, Ontario.

THE GOOD SHIP STORMALONG -- when Samantha signs on as a cabin girl, the wind and rolling sea tell her she’d better think again, but not before she helps rescue a pirate who would rather sing than plunder. Selected for YES Summer Shorts.

NO SOCKS GANG -- selected for Gone In Sixty Seconds, Brooklyn College, University of Leeds,UK.  LIONS, TIGERS AND BEARS, a three-character version, was produced by Youth Education on Stage, Williston, North Dakota.
"THE NO SOCKS GANG by Shirley K. This delightful little play belongs in an anthology for the classroom where it would be an instant hit. It speaks of uniformity, strict nonsensical rules and how friendship and logic can rise above a system that exists just to exist. It speaks to my heart and perhaps it will speak to yours. Throw away those socks and inch forward—one foot at a time." Edward Crosby Wells -- Playwrights Forum.  Two of Kevin Buck's students at Cocoa Beach Jr. / Sr. High School performed THE NO SOCKS GANG.   


COMING HOME TO ROOST/CHICKENS/A PERSON OF INTEREST -- When Homeland Security interferes with Larry’s chickens and Bev’s personal life it’s time to fight back. One minute version produced for Gone In Sixty Seconds, Brooklyn College and FACT, NY. Performed by Readers Theater Repertory, San Pedro.  Performed as a reading by The Players Centre for Performing Arts in Sarasota, Florida.

 THE GARDEN DRAGON/AWESOME -- When a dragon is needed, wishing may help but believing is what really matters.  Produced in the 2nd Annual NFA New Works Festival. This play was also produced for the Open Space Arts Summer Playwrights Festival and by Somerset Community College. Terry Sandler's 8th grade students at Peekskill Middle School performed THE GARDEN DRAGON. THE GARDEN DRAGON was performed by Paul Barile's students at Harper College, Palatine, Illinois through the school's InZone program.

THE ORANGE WHISTLE -- Produced by Asphalt Jungle Shorts.

HOLD TIGHT -- Would Kelli prefer (1) seeing a doctor for cosmetic enhancement or (2) hooking up with Mervyn, a time-traveler eager to transport her back to the Forties? Performed at Muskigum College, New Concord, Ohio for Ohio State's Lawrence and Lee Theatre Research Institute Project.

THE RIGHT TO DRY -- based on a folktale. Shana is shocked when her sister Abby destroys her neighbor's clothesline. Performed as a reading by City Lights, San Jose CA.  
 
CUT AND CURL -- performed by Wayne Theater Alliance.  Produced twice by Ann Clemmensen Hermes and Lakes Area Theater.
 
WAITING FOR JOANIE -- Winner, Carlton E Spitzer Excellence in Writing competition.  On a day of change and sorrow, there’s still room for humor and hope at The Meadows.  Produced by Motivational Theater.

KEEPING PROMISES -- on a day of national mourning, promises must be kept.  Produced by Brown University.  

CANDY GRAMS -- selected by Cross/Royal Shakespeare Company.  Benicia Literary Arts published this play in 2018.

FLY THE UNFRIENDLY SKIES and CANDYGRAMS were produced by Mind the Gap Theater Company NYC for World Theater Day. 

FIRE!  FIRE! -- Can cats talk?  Of course not -- except in emergencies. Produced by GI6O UK.

LOCOMOTION --  When Jenny goes to the school cafeteria for lunch, she hopes dancing will be on the menu. Performed as a reading for Ohio State University’s Limbo Plays Festival produced by Dr. Alan Woods.  Selected for Harper College's Summer InZone program.  Instructor, Paul Barile. 

DONKEY DAN TO THE RESCUE -- selected for Harper College's Summer InZone program. Instructor, Paul Barile.  Princess Gloria, Tall Tom and Donkey Dan place themselves in mortal danger when they wander into the vampire’s lair. 

BUMPER STICKER -- Carla, an army veteran, is being tried for killing an unarmed intruder. 
 
 TOTAL BEDLAM/AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT -- For ages the Ghosts of Christmas Past have led parallel lives with miser Titus Kluge, waiting for the right opportunity to reform him, but there's just one hitch: Titus wants no part of spirits forcing him to repent on Christmas Eve or any other night.

GOING UP? -- Jim is getting out the vote, with no time to waste!  But will he accept a woman for president?
 Winner, Playwrights Forum Contest. To be performed by Julia and Friends, 2020.

"Shirley King's GOING UP? What can I say about GOING UP?  Well, it's clever, laugh out loud funny, and a marvelous indictment of the times in which we live. The winner of this month's challenge is GOING UP? by Shirley King." Edward Crosby Wells.

DOWN?  -- Picture this: It's the turbulent Eighties when nothing goes right, not even the elevators. Performed as a reading for n.u.f.a.n. Ensemble's Eight Minutes in the 80s.

JOANIE LEE'S CUT AND CURL SALON -- performed by Broadway West.

MONOLOGUES
AUTHENTICITY -- “I GOTTA BE ME” is Beth’s slogan as she comes up with new takes on famous plays. Performed by Lama Theate Company as a reading by Christy Donahue for AirPlay. Also by Christy Donahue for Equity Library Theater, New York.

YES, MOM REALLY DID KNOW BEST -- performed as a reading by Christy Donahue for OnAir Players.

THE BLAHS -- Amy is fighting cancer and time with poetry.  Timarah Stewart performed THE BLAHS for the Wyoming State Drama competition. Christy Donahue performed THE BLAHS as a reading for OnAir Players.  THE BLAHS will be performed by Illuminated Dresses at Burning Coal Theater, Raleigh, NC, October 25 through November 3, 2019.

MOLLY -- To Sara a dachshund's still a dachshund, even if she does look more like a collie.

EGGS BENEDICT and POPCORN performed for the KTDT Digital Radio Competition.
 
HI THERE, ARIZONA! Sarah strikes out again. Selected for production by Abingdon Theatre Company.

YES, MOM DID KNOW BEST -- produced and directed by Marj O'Neill-Butler.  Performed as a reading for MEMORIES OF MY MOTHER at Miami Beach Botanical Garden. Performed as a reading by Christy Donahue, OnAir Players.

SAINTS AND ANGELS -- Joan of Arc returns in this century as a hospital worker in Afghanistan. Performed for International Women's Day -- Stockyards Theatre Project, Chicago.

KELLY -- Flight attendant who has logged way too many air miles. Produced at HENLEY College, Deanfield Avenue, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.  Produced for Gone In Sixty Seconds, Brooklyn College. Produced by the Arkansas State Thespian Festival.

MURLOCK, USA -- Betty isn’t thrilled about her daughter’s decision to marry a lounge singer. Produced by Universal Theater and Riverside Theatre for WALKING THE WIRE. Performed for SWAN Day at Grace Church in Georgetown and in Alexandria, Louisiana. Performed by Piney Fork, NYC and for Key City Theater's International Women's Day event. 

DEAR CONNIE – mom who puts her daughter first, last and always. Performed for Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Letters on Motherhood, Performance and Advocacy Event, Ohio.

MOM I AM -- performed as  reading by Christy Donahue for OnAir Players.

SARAH OPTS OUT – Palin’s resignation speech.  Winner American Conservatory Theatre of San Francisco's Write Like Mamet Contest. Produced by New York Artists Unlimited.

IT'S A JUNGLE OUT THERE -- performed as a reading by Christy Donahue, OnAir Players.

CRAZY IN LOVE  -- performed as a reading by Christy Donahue for OnAir Players.

JUST ADD CATS  -- performed by KTDT Digital Radio Theatre.

SANDBAGS AND SANDWICHES – a flood in Iowa helps Sue gets her priorities straight.  Produced by Riverside Theatre.

 TAG AND BAG -- Carla expresses her feelings about domestic violence and reproductive freedom. Performed as a reading by Christy Donahue for OnAir Players

BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO -- how can a librarian justify breaking up with her books? Performed as a reading by Christy Donahue, OnAir Players.

PROMISES -- performed as a reading by Christy Donahue for OnAir Players.

Scene from GEOGRAPHY published in More Scenes and Monologues From the Best New Plays, a Meriwether anthology edited by Roger Ellis, Ph.D.
 
Shirley King
PO Box 1034
Benicia, CA 94510
shirleyking950@yahoo.com

Organizations
The Dramatists Guild of America
International Center for Women Playwrights