Daniel Guyton



    1 Minute Plays & Monologues





    On this page, you will find information on 1-minute plays and 1-minute stand-alone monologues written by Daniel Guyton. (If you are looking for audition monologues, please click on the "Monologues" link in the main menu). On this page, you will see images related to the monologues, then below that, you will see reviews and other details about them.



    Buckle Up!



    Four More Hours



    The Jitters



    Paper Towels



    Pictures on the Internet



    Pictures on the Internet



    Paper Towels



    The Resignation



    The Accident





    1M. Monologue (1 min), An estranged father tries to convince his daughter not to have an abortion in this dramatic monologue.


    "Passive aggressive manipulation is a great anti-abortion tool that doubles as a Hallmark 'please forgive me for not being your father for 8 years' card." (Bob Smith, Working Title Playwrights, 2015)


    Unproduced



    The Anteater





    1M. Monologue (1 min), A corrupt businessman is reincarnated as an anteater, in this comedic monologue.


    "Antony (hehe) finds out he's an anteater, which explains a lot in this humorous and absurd monologue. Guyton captures anteater angst like no other. Recommended as an amusing and offbeat audition piece or a night of monologues." (Bryan Stubbles, New Play Exchange, 2017)


    "If only corruption could be so easily tackled by transforming all the immoral into anteaters! Guyton's monologue THE ANTEATER is cute, funny, and the perfect amount of crazy. Guaranteed to get some big laughs in an audience." (Ryan M. Bultrowicz, New Play Exchange, 2020)


    " With a nod to Kafka, this is a parable for all time. Any adherent to Gordon Gekko's facile 'bromide of 'Greed is Good' should read this piece. And while they're at it, it wouldn't hurt to read Kafka as well. But do start with Mr. Guyton's monologue first!" (Ken Love, New Play Exchange, 2023)


    " No more with Kafka's cockroach -- Enjoy Daniel Guyton's THE ANTEATER , a short, short monologue that brings us Antony who has awakened as an anteater after a life as financial executive. A very funny monologue perfect for an audition!" (D. Lee Miller, New Play Exchange, 2021) ​


    "Imaginative and makes great connections. I clearly know where this character has been and I wonder where they are going." (Samantha Marchant, New Play Exchange, 2022)


    " Short & sweet, while still managing to touch on deeper themes, such as the moral and karmic implications of gentrification/capitalism. Antony the businessman viewed other people as being no more significant than ants - and soon finds himself facing a change in appetite. This monologue takes a creative premise and executes it well." (Gwenyth Fraser, New Play Exchange, 2022)


    " The Anteater is a witty and imaginative monologue that blends dark humor with sharp social commentary. The corrupt businessman’s transformation into an anteater cleverly critiques greed and capitalism, offering both comedy and a moral lesson. A clever, engaging piece with lasting impact" (Danielle Wirsansky, New Play Exchange, 2025). ​

    • Staged Reading at Decatur Arts Festival in Decatur, GA, 2014
    • Produced by Gi60 in West Yorkshire, UK, 2015


    Buckle Up!





    2M,2F. One-Act (1 min), A lesbian couple, and their respective children from previous marriages, go on their first long car-ride together as a family, and discover that they have less in common than they thought. ​

    • Produced by the One Minute Play Festival in Atlanta, GA, 2017
    • Produced by Gi60 at Brooklyn College in Brooklyn, NY, 2018


    Four More hours





    1M. Monologue (1 min), A death row inmate with only four hours left to live, reflects on his life in this dramatic monologue.


    Actor Todd Risby won Top Talent of the Year Award & First Place in Monologue Competition at Worldwide Star Search Showcase with this piece, 2015


    "Daniel: I just want to say Thank You again for drafting such a wonderful monologue for me, that I was able to use in LA at the showcase event I attended. It was beautifully written, with the proper message, being delivered the proper way. Great work Daniel, and Thank You again!!!" (Todd Risby, Actor, 2015)


    Produced at Worldwide Star Search Showcase in Los Angeles, CA, 2015



    Granny Cain





    1F. Monologue (1 min), A Norcross GA resident welcomes guests to the once famous Brunswick Hotel in this true-life, biographical piece.


    "I just read the monologue for Granny Cain... OMG, This is fantastic. You covered everything... This is just wonderful. I am teary eyed" (Tanya Caldwell, Lionheart Theatre, 2015).


    Produced by Lionheart Theatre in Norcross, GA, 2015



    The Guy With the Hair





    2M or 2F. One-Act (1 min), Two people (not gender specific) debate the merits of a possible Trump presidency.


    Produced by One Minute Play Festival in Atlanta, GA, 2016



    Half-Wit





    2M,1F. One-Act (1 min), A yuppie neglects his father because he is not socially acceptable in this comedic-dramatic short.


    Staged Reading at Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Valdez, AK, 2012



    The Jitters





    1M. Monologue (1 min), An awkward widower prepares for a blind date - the first since his wife has passed away, in this comedic-dramatic monologue.


    "I'm loving this monologue! Too funny... JITTERS got real at the end. Wasn't expecting that emotional twist. Great job! " (Audience Member, Rough Magic Shakespeare, 2020)


    " A beautifully written monologue that lets us first travel downstream on a comedic current, then delivers a twist that turns playful into poignant. A real performance treasure!" (Vivian Lermond, New Play Exchange, 2020)


    " I enjoyed a production of this monologue during Rough Magic Shakespeare Company's Three by Three: Uprisings show on July 9, 2020. This piece was easily performed in a virtual environment, and offers up both humor and humility. Great piece for an older actor!" (Elisabeth Giffin Speckman, New Play Exchange, 2020)

    • Produced by Rough Magic Shakespeare Company in Orlando, FL, 2020
    • Produced by Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN, 2020
    • Produced by Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga , TN, 2021

    "Lights Up" Podcast from Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga, 2020



    A Man of Faith





    1M. Monologue (1 min), A black man explains why he converted to Judaism in this comedic-dramatic monologue.


    Produced by MOJOAA Performing Arts as part of their Reclamation 2018 Festival in Raleigh, NC, 2018



    Memoirs of a Vagitarian





    2F. One-Act (1 min), Two women debate the merits of pleasuring themselves with organic food items in this comedic short.


    Produced by Mostly Harmless Productions in Schenectady, NY, 2014



    Offensive





    1M,1F. One-Act (1 min), A guy and girl argue over an offensive Facebook post.


    "A satirical look at the Book of Face, and the many arguments that ensue from posts on one's page. Playwright Daniel Guyton crafts a pithy 1 page play that will have you looking at your own social media with new eyes. Great last line!" (Arianna Rose, New Play Exchange, 2022)


    Produced by One Minute Play Festival in Atlanta, GA, 2018




    Out of the Bag





    1M, 1F. One-Act (1 min), A young couple argue after the pet cat gets out of the house. During the course of the argument, deeper issues emerge.


    "Guyton has crafted a powerful one minute play with Out of the Bag. Ripe with tension, this piece plows towards it's unfortunate, inevitable end where it stops you dead in your tracks." ( Elisabeth Giffin Speckman, New Play Exchange, 2020)


    Produced by One Minute Play Festival in Atlanta, GA, 2016



    Paper Towels





    1M. Monologue (1 min), A petty thief explains how he lost his teaching job in this comedic-dramatic monologue.


    "I love nothing more than a small, well-formed, entertaining piece of writing and Daniel Guyton ticks all the boxes with this very amusing, offbeat story of 'innocent' theft. How many people haven't 'acquired' pens, pencils, paperclips... from the workplace? The result goes to show how in just a minute a story can be full told. A joy." (Paul Smith, New Play Exchange, 2021)


    "Stealing paper towels may seem like a victimless crime, but if it's all you've got, you hit it with the full force of the law." (Bob Smith, Working Title Playwrights, 2015)


    Published in 222 More Comedy Monologues by Smith & Kraus, 2016

    Produced by Malverne Community Theatre in Malverne, NY, 2020



    Pictures on the Internet





    1M. Monologue (10 min), A teenage girl commits suicide after a "sexting" incident goes public. Her boyfriend deals with the fallout.


    "I am very intrigued with your character Christian and his monologue following his arrest and girlfriend's suicide and I would love to perform this for my class, possibly the anti-bullying assembly my school has coming up." (Trey Cowan, actor, 2015)


    Published in InterJACtions: Monologues at the Heart of Human Nature, Volume II

    Published in Audition Monologues for Young Men 2016 by Pioneer Drama

    Produced by Malverne Community Theatre in Malverne, NY, 2020



    The Resignation




    1M. Monologue (1 min), A socially awkward man writes his boss a resignation letter, in this comedic monologue.


    "I watched the show on Friday, and the audience responded great to THE RESIGNATION , the actor was interrupted with laughter a few times and it ended with a long clap." (Irena Saric, Riverside Theatre, 2016)


    For more information, please click here.



    Survivor's Guilt





    1M. Monologue (1 min), A man recalls having lunch with a murderer mere minutes before the attack, in this dramatic monologue.


    Produced by 1:One UAE Theatre Fest in Dubai, UAE, 2018



    Tried





    1M,1F,1E. One-Act (1 min), A devastated woman is arrested for having a miscarriage, thanks to a draconian new law.


    Produced by One Minute Play Festival in Atlanta, GA, 2019



    Washing Dishes





    1M. Monologue (1 min), A husband has trouble pleasing his wife in this comedic monologue.


    "There was some good stuff last night... I will never wash dishes with the same attitude I used to have before last night!" (Judith Beasley, Working Title Playwrights, 2014)


    Produced at Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Valdez, AK, 2014



    Works in Progress





    by Daniel Guyton



    Flaws





    Equally minimalist and multimedia-heavy exploration into the role of media on the self-esteems and value perceptions of seven different college students at an all-American university.


    In Progress



    Meanwhile, Back at the Teacher's Lounge...





    Full-length. A middle-school student draws comic strips about his teachers, until the thin line between reality and fantasy is blurred. (Based on autobiographical experiences)


    "This is such a great story. If you haven't already, you should find a way to write it into a play or something. It would also make a good short monologue." (Colleen Gaenssley, Onstage Atlanta, 2015)


    "That's an amazing story. I think we just answered the same series of questions, and my response to this one wasn't nearly in the same league! I bow down to you, sir!" (Arthur M. Jolly, playwright, 2015)


    "What a great story!!!" (Deborah Smola, Black Sheep Theatre, 2015)


    "Wow. Great story. That could be a play. Especially if you played up the geek factor and made it all about his way to fit in. But at what cost?" (Brooke Deaver McCoy, actress, 2015)


    "I was in your class! I LOVED your comics and remember he caught you making one during class and he was pissed!" (Christine Russo, classmate, 2015)


    "I remember all the parody writing you did back then. You were always very talented and funny! Thanks for posting this, it started my day with a laugh and brought back some great memories!" (Jennifer Knight Connor, friend, 2015)


    "If this is a true story I sure hope you still have those comic strips. You could make a killing!" (Lynn Bennett Brooks, friend, 2015)


    "Great story I wish I had the talent to express myself in that way." (Patrick Roche, friend, 2015)


    "To this day, Christine and I still talk about Mr. Burr's class and your comics. Your post brought back some great memories. 'Bash, bash! Now the garbage can's dented! Thank you!' (Janine Esposito, classmate, 2015)


    "I remember seeing the comics in your notebooks in the basement (at your mom's) when I was so little and I thought they were awesome." (Stephanie Porfert, cousin, 2015)


    In Progress





    Daniel Guyton

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