The Playwrights Database
D J JONES
Nationality: USA
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D.J. Jones was surprised to discover, later in life, that she was a playwright. A published author of short fiction and nonfiction, she decided to try her hand at a stage adaption of a Sinclair Lewis novel-and was hooked. While some of her plays have been produced locally, others-both one-acts and full-lengths--have placed and/or been produced in national competitions and festivals. Jones is a member of Dramatists Guild of America, a founding member of Write Angle Productions (Denver), and a former member of Colorado Dramatists. As part of a large, multi-racial, multi-ethnic family, she is convinced that honest dialogue builds bridges-while political correctness builds walls. She is passionate about writing plays where the human condition intersects with hope and redemption.
Research: Member of the Dramatists Guild of America (as at 2015)
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below is a list of D J Jones's plays - click on a Play Title for more information
American Holiday Bright Red Paradigm Shift, The Choice, The ConStellation Prize Embers From A Life of Fire House of Mirrors Long Way Home Mushrooms Rearview Sophie's Second Law (At The Speed of Life)American Holiday
Synopsis:
Could political correctness be just another form of racism? Politically correct sociology professor, Ed Blackburn, prides himself on right-mindedness. Then he meets his love interest's multi-ethnic family for the first time. At a holiday meal, the family dishes up a healthy serving of candor until Blackburn chokes on his self-deception and confronts his own taste for trendy bigotry.
Notes:
Simple set, minimal technical requirements. Run time: about 35 minutes. Racially mixed cast. Received Equity workshop production as a Finalist in Love Creek Productions' One-Act Festival (New York); received Meritorious Comment in Artistic and Literary Resources New Play Search, Redondo Beach, CA.
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Genre:
One-act comedy
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 3 Other: -
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Top of PageBright Red Paradigm Shift, The
Synopsis:
Gentle satire on corporate America. When an artistic outsider tries to fit in at a dull corporate party, she learns much more than a few words of Corporatese.
Notes:
Simple set, some lights. Holiday or general version.
1st Produced:
The Changing Scene Theater, Denver Feb 1996
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Genre:
10-minute comedy
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageChoice, The
Synopsis:
THE Nativity-with a twist. A good-girl-gone-bad? A traumatized victim? Or could she be telling the truth? Pregnant and unwed, a young woman strives to convince those around her that all is not as it appears. While she struggles with her own doubts, she fears what her fiance' will do when he discovers her condition. He will know immediately that the child cannot be his. Will her own parents never believe her? She considers a future of rejection, scorn, humiliation. Her very life may be threatened. In a moment of weakness, she listens to her best friend's counsel: Why not take the "easy" way out?
Notes:
Flexible format; the play invites music and dance, but does not require it. Can be performed as straight drama, cast of 7; simple "musical," cast of 7; or ensemble with music and dance. Simple set, minimal technical requirements, about 2 to 2 ½ hours. A stand-alone scene (AI,s3) has been well-received in several Venues, with cast of 2 females and no technical requirements, running 12-15 minutes.
1st Produced:
Colorado Christian University, Lakewood, Co Nov 2005
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Genre:
Full-length drama (Christmas)
Parts:
Male: 3 Female: 4 Other: Ensemble, if desired
Further Reference:
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Top of PageConStellation Prize
Synopsis:
Derek, an inner city youth, resents having to spend his summer in community service at Camp Pleiades. He assumes he will be waiting on spoiled, rich kids who are accustomed to playing on the sympathies of others, while he is a true victim of injustice. Derek quickly demonstrates a knack for offending almost everyone with whom he comes into contact. Yet, in spite of himself, Derek is drawn to Chris, a double-amputee, who inexplicably reminds him of his younger brother. Before long, Derek realizes that the camp is filled with young people facing a daily battle with cancer. Their relentless exploration of each new day leaves little time or patience for self-pity and teaches Derek to put his own life in perspective. Despite tragic circumstances and difficult decisions, Derek discovers, for the first time, a sense of self-worth and a determination to pursue his own future.
Notes:
Cast portrays young people from middle-school age to college age. Simple set, minimal technical requirements, estimated running time: 1 ½ to 2 hours. Constellation Prize was selected as a finalist in the Ronald M. Ruble New Play Festival (2012). The play was awarded second place in the Jackie White Memorial National Children's Play Writing Contest (2012).
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Genre:
Full-length drama
Parts:
Male: 4 Female: 3 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageEmbers From A Life of Fire
Synopsis:
Life, Ota Benga. "Life of fire, young Hunter." Based on actual events: In 1906, Hunter Hayes is born in Lynchburg, Virginia. That same year, Ota Benga, a pygmy from the Congo Free State, is a resident at the Bronx Zoo: "exhibited each afternoon during September." Ten years later, "Otto Bingo" has been Lynchburg's resident pygmy, and friend, mentor, even father-figure to young Hunter for as long as the boy can remember. But when the African takes young Hunter into his confidence, he unleashes a harrowing account of the zoo and other life experiences-and triggers a devastating collision between past and present. A tragedy young Hunter will always remember. A legacy he'll never forget.
Notes:
Simple set, minimal technical requirements. Runs about 2 hours (with intermission). Cast of 7, with doubling. Earlier version: Long Way Home (awarded Honorable Mention from New Works of Merit Playwriting Contest 2011)
1st Produced:
Aurora Fox (Studio) Theater, Aurora, Co 02 Dec 2014
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Genre:
Full-length drama
Parts:
Male: 7 Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageHouse of Mirrors
Synopsis:
A haunting look at the human condition, our willing self-entrapment, and our reluctance to shatter our own illusions in order to break free. If truth is relative and there is no right or wrong, might we find ourselves in a maze of mirrors, like Meghan and Trevor? While one warns of danger, the other revels in illusion--until the inevitable consequences.
Notes:
Bare stage, some sound and lights.
1st Produced:
The Changing Scene Theater, Denver May 1997
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Genre:
10-minute drama
Parts:
Male: 1 Female: 1 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageLong Way Home
Synopsis:
In 1904, he was on exhibit at the St. Louis World's Fair. In 1906, the Bronx Zoo: "exhibited each afternoon during September." Ota Benga, a pygmy from the Congo Free State: Man, Monkey, or Missing Link? Or simply a tragic figure, searching for dignity? And a way home.
Notes:
Awarded Honorable Mention, New Works of Merit Playwriting Contest (2011). Refocused, revised, re-titled (see Embers From A Life Of Fire).
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Genre:
Full-length drama
Parts:
Male: 7 Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageMushrooms
Synopsis:
Is Frank just paranoid when he fears his brother, Harry, is succumbing to T.V.'s subliminal messages? Or is there really a conspiracy to turn us all into a nation of "mushrooms"?
Notes:
Simple set, minimal technical requirements.
1st Produced:
The Changing Scene Theater, Denver Jan 1995
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Genre:
10-minute comedy
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageRearview
Synopsis:
Before taking hold of her future, Jackie, a high school senior, makes a final attempt to pierce her mother's emotional fog. During a long, late-night drive in the country to settle her grandmother's estate, the teenager alternately comforts and challenges her mother, Linda. But, on a dark, lonely road, the glare of headlights in the rear view mirror triggers a flashback for Linda that results in near-tragedy. As Linda confronts years of guilt and denial, both mother and daughter begin to discover the strength needed to face the long road ahead.
Notes:
Simple set, minimal technical requirements, run time: about 40 minutes. Winner of the Spotlight Award in Old Opera House Theatre Company's Festival of New Plays (2012). First produced as a finalist in the Summerplay Festival, The Changing Scene Theatre.
1st Produced:
The Changing Scene Theater, Denver, Co Jul 1997
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
Booksellers:
Genre:
One-act drama
Parts:
Male: - Female: 3 Other: -
Further Reference:
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Top of PageSophie's Second Law (At The Speed of Life)
Synopsis:
Sophie is a reluctant celebrant at her 29th birthday ("surprise!") party. With her own spin on the Second Law of Thermo-dynamics and her own "theory of relativity," she struggles with a mid-life crisis. But when a mysterious stranger turns up, Sophie is suddenly whisked through the next 50 years of her life-only to discover what's been missing all along.
Notes:
Awarded Mainstage production as a Finalist in the Pittsburgh New Works Festival (2012). Simple set, minimal technical requirements. Runs about 25 minutes.
1st Produced:
Father Ryan Arts Center, Pittsburgh Sep 2012
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies
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Genre:
One-act drama
Parts:
Male: - Female: 2 (one nonspeaking) Other: -
Further Reference:
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