Daniel Guyton



    10-Minute Plays





    On this page, you will find a comprehensive list of all the 10-minute plays written by Daniel Guyton* (*Not including his holiday plays, which are on a separate link). First, you will see poster art for each of the plays. If you scroll past the images, you will find descriptions of each. For more information, please click on any of the images or descriptions.



    Art: Official Intelligence




    2M,1F. One-Act (10 min), Two robots are sabotaged in a young entrepreneur's workshop in this Steampunk style universe. Part 2 of The Legend of Steel City: A Steampunk Adventure .

    • Finalist in NDNU Hot August Theatre Festival Playwright's Contest in Belmont, CA, 2015

    "First up is Daniel Guyton’s splendidly costumed ART: OFFICIAL INTELLIGENCE . This is a strange play, in which Bob Smith plays the hard taskmaster of two art-creating robots, played by Jeremy Clark and Cat Roche. The plot, such as it is, has taskmaster McGleetch slowly finding out that a mysterious female rival has tampered with the robots. It’s neatly constructed and well acted, and James Beck’s direction gets the utmost out of the script, which hints at a world we don’t fully comprehend." (Playgoer, theaterreview.com, 2014)


    For more information, please click here.



    An Axe To Grind





    2M,3F. One-Act (10 min), A mob boss feels threatened by his daughter's new boyfriend. But the threat is not what you'd expect...


    Produced at Mile High 24 Hour Play Festival in Denver, CO, 2017



    Beneath The Monolith




    2M. One-Act (10 min), A young artist struggles against the Industrial Revolution in this Steampunk style universe. Part 1 of The Legend of Steel City: A Steampunk Adventure .

    • Finalist in NDNU Hot August Theatre Festival Playwright's Contest in Belmont, CA, 2015

    "An examination of selling out and keeping true to an artistic vision, Guyton creates two friends and their own personal struggles with the lots they have in life. It's a play with weighty questions that follow artists through all time. Daniel Guyton invites us all to consider both perspectives and examine the humanity behind our actions and the motivations to pursue art relentlessly or pursue a more popular commercial approach with creating art pieces. Definitely a play that merits consideration and reading from playwrights at any stage of their career." (Franky Gonzalez, New Play Exchange, 2018)


    For more information, please click here.



    The Best Audition E-ver!




    1M,1F. One-Act (10 min), An aspiring actress accidentally uploads an audition tape to a space alien, who needs her help to save his planet. Hijinks ensue! ​


    "A lot of signals get crossed in this brilliant comedy by Daniel Guyton, and the results are hilarious! A space alien receives an audition tape from an actress, and he wants her to help save his planet. I saw the original production, and it's great fun. Actors should have a ball with it." (Peter Dakutis, New Play Exchange, 2021)


    For more information, please click here.



    Bingo, the Birthday Clown




    1M. One-Act (10 min), Bingo attends the funeral of his best friend in full birthday clown regalia - much to the chagrin of his best friend's family.


    "You wouldn't want Bingo at your child's birthday party. But you might want to book him for your funeral, so he can chew to bits anyone on your hate list. Kidding aside, this is a powerful, unforgettable monologue - raw, intense, cruel like the characters in Guyton's Prison Monologues . This character makes me wonder why we are so drawn to vicious characters... Perhaps, they're the ones that suffered some childhood trauma or they've just suffered... just like us. Bravo, again." (Asher Wyndham, New Play Exchange, 2015)


    For more information, please click here.



    Boys Night In




    2M. One-Act (10 min), The power goes out on the hottest night of the year. As the thermostat rises, so does the tension between these two roommates.


    " The set-up is right out of Neil Simon -- two very different dudes sharing an apartment -- but the resolution is anything but Oscar and Felix, and well worth reading. Daniel Guyton has a lot of fun in a short time and nothing is wasted. The payoff is perfect and makes you want to see it all over again." (Philip Middleton Williams, New Play Exchange, 2021)


    For more information, please click here.



    The Brass Banyan




    2M.1F. One-Act (10 min), Two scientists take a journey in a hot air balloon in search of the elusive "brass banyan" in this Steampunk style universe. Part 3 of The Legend of Steel City: A Steampunk Adventure .

    • Finalist in NDNU Hot August Theatre Festival Playwright's Contest in Belmont, CA, 2015

    Produced by Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, CA, 2015



    Brown Art





    1M.One-Act (10 min), An artist uses an unusual medium to create his masterpieces.


    Produced by Malverne Community Theatre in Malverne, NY, 2020



    Caught in a Webb





    Various. One-Act (10 min), A bank robber named Fred Webb rats out his fellow conspirators, in this historical drama set in Norcross, GA.


    "Unbelievable. This is great from beginning to end." (Tanya Caldwell, Lionheart Theatre, 2017)


    Produced by Lionheart Theatre in Norcross, GA, 2017

    Produced by Lionheart Theatre in Norcross, GA, 2022



    Crawlspace




    1M,1F. One-Act (7 min), Part Three of The Darker Places Trilogy , a series of one-act plays centering around 3 different rooms in a troubled man's home. CRAWLSPACE shows us an early glimpse into that man's life.


    " CRAWLSPACE adds a beautifully tragic climax to the show." (L Marcus Williams, A Fly on the Fourth Wall Productions, 2012)


    For more information, please click here.



    Daffodils




    1M,1F. One-Act (10 min) A young man and his fiance travel to his childhood home. While there, some very dark secrets emerge to the surface.

    • Winner of AuditionArt.com Monologue Competition for Rain's Monologue, 2013
    • Finalist in Arts & Letters One-Act Play Competition , 2015
    • Finalist in Stageworks/Hudson's Play by Play Festival in Hudson, NY, 2013

    "I could hear Rain's voice and cadence so clearly that it was like reliving a conversation I'd had or heard. I was in tears by the time I was halfway through it." (Maggie O'Brien, Columbus State Community College, 2013)


    For more information, please click here.



    Dead Giveaway




    1M,1F. One-Act (10 min). Robert buys his wife an unconventional gift for Valentine's Day, which leads to an awkward conversation about love after death.

    • Winner of Short+Sweet Sydney Festival Judge's Choice + People's Choice Awards, 2017
    • Winner of Short+Sweet Manila Festival Audience Choice Award, 2016
    • Winner of Almost Random Theatre's Valentine's Day Playwriting Competition , 2015
    • Winner of End of the Road New Play Festival Judges Choice Award, 2015 ​

    "The independent assessor of the plays has decided [DEAD GIVEAWAY] was the BEST play of all the plays (over 70) submitted. The play was rehearsed yesterday and the actors concerned (as we piloted 8 plays) ALSO decided it was the best play. What this means is that it WILL be performed. There is still one more judging process - the audience - but the likelihood [is that] yours will be the overall winner." (Margaret Taylor, Almost Random Theatre, 2015)


    For more information, please click here.



    Don Wannabe




    1M,1F. One-Act (10 min). A handsome Hollywood player actually wants to be sincere with women, but he just can't seem to do it. His inner monologue keeps taking over...

    "Naughty, bawdy, touching, and maniacally funny in turns... A producer and an actress share a conversation over a glass of wine as he slips in and out of brilliant sporadic Shakespearean moments of truth. Hysterical!" (Pat Taylor, Tolucan Times , 2013)


    For more information, please click here.



    Dracula Gets Gingivitis




    2M. One-Act (10 min), When Count Dracula gets a bad case of tooth decay, only Dr. Price can save him. Too bad Dr. Price really lives up to his name!


    "From the mind of Daniel Guyton, comes the new comedy, DRACULA GETS GINGIVITIS ! Poor Count Dracula has a toothache, and it's affecting his 'all-liquid diet', so what's more scary than Dracula? A trip to the dentist, of course." (Press Release, Darkhorse Dramatists, 2019)


    For more information, please click here.



    FAt Dick




    1M,1F. One-Act (10 min), An overweight private detective has to solve a murder. But can he figure out what to eat for dinner first?

    • Finalist in Independent Play(w)rights 10 Minute Play Competition , 2013
    • Semi-Finalist in Little Fish Theatre's Pick of the Vine Competition , 2014
    • Published in Best 10-Minute Plays of 2016 by Smith & Kraus, 2016

    ​​ "Next-to-last is Daniel Guyton’s FAT DICK , which, as its title suggests, involves an obese private detective. His nutritionist has been killed, and the nutritionist’s widow (the fabulous Katie Graham) is under suspicion of murder. The action takes place as a stereotypical film noir meeting in the detective's seedy office. There are clever lines, many recycled fat jokes, a nice flow, and an appropriate ending twist. Peg Thon is terrific as the offstage voice of a secretary... Paul Donnelly has directed the proceedings with nice blocking and flow." (Playgoer, theaterreview.com , 2014)


    For more information, please click here.



    Father and Son




    2M, various voices. One-Act (10 min), God becomes an atheist. Hijinks ensue.


    " FATHER AND SON provides another morbidly funny take on generational differences, as told between God and Jesus as they hear countless prayers and see God take a defeated approach towards what he has created. Guyton again tacks a tragic and sobering button to the play’s end, a clever moment slightly obscured by his clever banter throughout." (Michael Weems, Next Stage Press, 2015)


    For more information, please click here.



    Friends, Robots, Countrymen




    2M.1F,1E. One-Act (10 min), The half-human, half-robot mayor of Steel City threatens punishment for anyone who engages in sabotage in this Steampunk style universe. Part 5 of The Legend of Steel City: A Steampunk Adventure .


    For more information, please click here.



    From the Cribb to the Grave





    Various. One-Act (10 min), In 1913, Miles Cribb murdered his mother-in-law and attempted to murder his wife and sister-in-law. His brother Wilford, a minister, attempts to save Miles' soul before an angry mob can enact vigilante justice upon him, in this historical drama set in Norcross, GA.


    "I am reading it now. OMG this is great!!" (Tanya Caldwell, Lionheart Theatre, 2019)


    Produced by Lionheart Theatre in Norcross, GA, 2019



    Grave Assurances




    1M,1F One-Act (10 min) - co-written with Laura Carson. A Jewish comedian and his antisemitic mother-in-law battle it out after her daughter passes away.


    "The script was magnificent! I think I was the luckiest actor there! Funny, funny stuff! What a rush!" (Mary Claire Klooster, Working Title Playwrights, 2012)


    For more information, please click here.



    The Grim Raper




    1M,2F. One-Act (10 min), The Angel of Death tries to pick up women the only way he knows how... With roofies.

    • Published in Best American Short Plays 2012-2013 by Applause Theatre Books

    ""There issssssss no Springgggg Breakkk. Onnnnnly deattttthhhhhhh" is an actual line from this play. Like most of Guyton's plays, it is extremely well-written. The dialogue is indeed superb... and it is funny for like 98 percent of the play. But the ending will mess with you. Read it if you enjoy comedies with a horrible [yet sadly true] ending." (Bryan Stubbles, New Play Exchange, 2018)


    For more information, please click here.



    Ham on a Cold Cement Floor





    3M. One-Act (10 min), Two actors from Cat On a Hot Tin Roof share a jail cell with the drunk heckler who ruined their show.


    Unproduced



    Hate Male




    1F. One-Act (10 min), An angry punk grrrl who hates men is arrested for murder. She tells us why she did it.

    • Semi-Finalist in Women in the Age of Trump Festival , 2017
    • Excerpt published in Best Women's Stage Monologues of 2015 by Smith & Kraus, 2015

    " HATE MALE ... is not comic. It starts with a vitriolic, foul-mouthed diatribe against an unseen guard on the other side of invisible bars. The woman has suffered sexual abuse, and her behavior and language alternate between sweet come-ons and hateful insults. The innocent-faced Ms. Smallwood, with a bruise around her right eye, nails the character." (Playgoer, Theater Review.com, 2015)


    For more information, please click here.



    I Hear the Train A-Coming





    3M. One-Act (10 min), Three hobos discuss the railway life, in this historical drama set in Norcross, GA.


    Produced by Lionheart Theatre in Norcross, GA, 2015-16



    I'm Not Gay!




    2M. One Act (10 min). A gay man and a homophobe are trapped on an elevator together. Hijinks ensue. (This is also the first scene of a full-length play)

    • Winner of Best Comedy Award from Author's Playhouse New Author Festival , 2005

    "A brilliant play about all the hypocrisy about homosexualism (sic) and people either loved it or hated it... just as it should be." (Gudmundur Ingi Thorvaldsson, Theatre Loftkastalinn, 2005)


    For more information, please click here.



    In and Out





    1M,2F. One-Act (10 min), A young girl believes she is a soldier in a war zone, but her doctor has another opinion on the matter.


    Produced at Nugget Fringe Festival in Grass Valley, CA, 2017



    In the Shadow of a War




    2M. One-Act (10 min), A nod to Samuel Beckett, and a satire of war. Two roommates await the cannon fire of an impending army.


    " IN THE SHADOW OF A WAR by Daniel Guyton is a cut above. It's highly reminiscent of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot , but seems to take place in some sort of dungeon in which two prisoners cower and read from a blank book, awaiting a coming war. The dialogue is opaque and repetitious, but very nicely delivered by Jerry Jobe and Bob Winstead. Julie Taliaferro's direction prevents the action from becoming static. It provokes thought, [and] it's the sort of piece that needs to be done to perfection to work on all levels." (Playgoer, TheaterReview.com, 2013)


    For more information, please click here.



    January's Alibi




    1F. One-Act (10 min), January is a poor woman, accused of murdering the father of her child. In this interrogation sequence, she explains what really happened.

    • Excerpt published in Best Women's Stage Monologues of 2016 by Smith & Kraus, 2016

    "A gripping monologue about a woman accused of a heinous crime - the murder of her boy's father. I was intrigued to find out what happened the night of the murder - specifically, who fired the fatal shot - but I was also interested in learning more about this woman - her life, her personality - through her digressions. When she talks about meat and vegetables, it's illuminating." (Asher Wyndham, New Play Exchange, 2015)


    For more information, please click here.



    The Medlock Files





    1M. One-Act (10 min), An African-American man in 1908 recalls meeting R.O. Medlock, an historical figure from Norcross, GA, whose building burned down in the worst fire in Norcross history, and who died from falling down an elevator shaft.


    Commissioned & Produced by Lionheart Theatre in Norcross, GA, 2016



    The Medlock Files. Pt. 2





    1M. One-Act (10 min), R.O. Medlock, an historical figure from Norcross, GA, talks about his tragic past, including his building burning down during the worst fire in Norcross history, and eventually dying from falling down an elevator shaft.


    Commissioned & Produced by Lionheart Theatre in Norcross, GA, 2018



    Mid-Day At The Greasy Spoon





    2M. One-Act (10 min), Two friends meet at a greasy spoon diner, eat lousy soup and talk about love.


    Unproduced



    My Father's Flag




    2M,1F. One-Act (10 min), Co-Written with Colin Thon. Three soldiers pay tribute to their fathers, who died in their respective wars.

    • Winner of the Judge's Choice Award at End of the Road New Play Festival , 2018

    "It is so well written, it directs itself. This short play is suitable for patriotic events, religious services, political rallies, or almost any public gathering where veterans are honored. It is a moving, inspiring, reverential, compassionate, and understanding depiction of military service families, the legacy they share, the price they pay, and the honor their valor commands. Hardly a dry eye in the house!" (Robert W. Gardner, South Baldwin Community Theatre, 2018)


    For more information, please click here.



    My Pretties




    1M. One-Act (10 min), A deranged man reminisces with three corpses about the manner in which he killed them. But then, the corpses come to life. It's perfect for Halloween!


    Produced by Onstage Atlanta in Atlanta, GA, 2016

    Produced by Malverne Community Theatre in Malverne, NY, 2021



    Old Chum





    2M. One-Act (10 min), Two former roommates meet on Christmas Eve, after one of them stole the other's wife away from him. Mature audiences only.


    Unproduced



    Poisoned Apples




    2F,1M. One-Act (10 min), Two old women plan an unforgettable Halloween celebration for the children in their neighborhood.

    • Finalist for Best Actor Award for Ian Ramsey from AudioverseAwards.net , 2016

    "What fun, Dan! You have a slightly warped sense of humor, and I enjoyed it. I agree with Martha that the English accents were delicious and the spontaneous laughter a treat." (Nancy Gall-Clayton, Playwrights' Binge, 2015) ​


    For more information, please click here.



    Pole Dances With Wolves





    1M,1F. One-Act (10 min), A stripper and a stripclub owner get into a huge argument after a prominent customer gets a little too "touchy-feely" with her.


    "Guyton creates an absorbing drama about a mother/stripper, her frustration with pervy customers, and her dreams for a better life for her baby - in doing so, gives voice to all those women like her - sex workers - who deserves equal attention as other women in the #metoo movement. Recommended for a late night evening of plays on women's issues." (Asher Wyndham, New Play Exchange, 2018)


    Staged Reading at Process Theatre's Play Day Read-A-Thon in Decatur, GA, 2016



    Poor Bastard




    2M. One-Act (10 min), A homeless man finds a dead body in an alley - a RICH dead body - who vaguely resembles himself. What would YOU do if you were him?


    "I love POOR BASTARD and am looking forward to seeing it again today. I'm forever a Daniel Guyton fan!" (Tanya Freeman, GOOD Works Theatre Festival, 2013)


    For more information, please click here.



    Rubble Without a Cause





    3M, either gender. One-Act (10 min), The statues of Robert E Lee, George Washington, and Christopher Columbus try to prepare themselves for their inevitable demise at the hands of angry protesters.

    • Finalist in Broom Street Theatre Unpresidented Plays , 2018

    Staged Reading at Process Theatre's Play Day Read-A-Thon in Atlanta, GA, 2017

    Staged Reading at Onion Man Productions in Chamblee, GA, 2018



    The Sapphire Saboteur




    1M.1F. One-Act (10 min), A woman in blue convinces an artist to destroy his entire life's work in this Steampunk style universe. Part 4 of The Legend of Steel City: A Steampunk Adventure.


    Unproduced



    Say Hi to Agnes For Me




    1F. One-Act (10 min), Jess is an older woman in an all-female penitentiary, here helping a younger prisoner learn the ropes.

    • Excerpt published in Best Women's Stage Monologues of 2016 by Smith & Kraus, 2016

    "The last play is SAY HI TO AGNES FOR ME , starring Peg Thon as a prison-hardened woman speaking to what appears to be a new cell-mate. The overall menacing tone is relieved by a variety of anecdotes, but by only a couple of comic elements. This is a bleak, wonderfully acted piece that truly captures the psyche of a woman marked by her criminal past, but also twist-ed by her time in confinement. It’s powerful stuff." (Playgoer, TheaterReview.com, 2015


    For more information, please click here.



    Service for None





    1M,1F. One-Act (10 min), A veteran attempts to get care from a local VA hospital, only to find out that things are far worse here than they were on the battlefield.

    • Top 10 Finalist in VetRep Theatre's Inaugural Playwriting Festival , 2022

    Staged Reading by Veteran's Museum of Balboa Park in San Diego, CA, 2017

    Staged Reading at Process Theatre's Play Day Read-A-Thon in Atlanta, GA, 2017

    Staged Reading at Veterans Repertory Theatre in Cornwall, NY, 2023



    The Sins of Rebethany Chastain




    1F, One-Act (10 min). A prison inmate shares her zany story about how she got arrested, in this one woman monologue.

    • Excerpt published in Best Women's Stage Monologues of 2014 by Smith & Kraus, 2014
    • Excerpt published in Best Contemporary Monologues for Women 18-35 , Applause Theatre & Cinema Books, 2014

    "First up is THE SINS OF REBETHANY CHASTAIN . In this beautifully blocked monologue, Kate Guyton tells the story of what sent Rebethany to prison. Ms. Guyton has a white trash twang, and the tale she tells is a comic set of grievances centering around a bicycle and jealousy of a girl in her class. Yes, there’s a crime involved, but it’s a convoluted path in the telling. It’s beautifully rendered, by playwright, director, and actress alike." (Playgoer, TheaterReview.com , 2015)


    For more information, please click here.



    SPAT!




    2M,1F. One-Act (10 min), A man and wife have a horrible argument over the wife's affair with an illegal immigrant.


    "Daniel Guyton's SPAT! was the hit of the evening... All of the actors were very good and well cast and it was great to have just several hard laughs... The main guy had hair that looked slightly better than a toupee which helped in some strange way and the actor playing Paco delivering the line "JES" just cracked up the whole house. I laughed right off the bat when he said, "I hate you, I hate you more, you're a slut..." I dunno, I like that sh*t, man." (Michael Erger, Playwrights Binge, 2013)


    For more information, please click here.



    The Tooth Fairy Gets AIDS





    2M, One-Act (10 min). The Tooth Fairy gets some really bad news...


    "Oh my god... this was one of the funniest skits I have ever seen." (Matt Holden, Mostly Harmless Productions, 2013)


    Produced by Mostly Harmless Productions in Albany, NY, 2013

    Produced by Herman Torkelson's Armada in Anchorage, AK, 2015



    Totally Buzzed





    2F. One-Act (10 min), A young woman loses her vibrator right before her "big date!" Can the kindly old woman at the coat check counter help out?


    "I love when a character is so indescribably irritating you want to punch them in their entitled head. But that wouldn't be fair to the actress who would be willing to take on the role of Annie. Luckily, our other character, Bea, will be sure she gets (or in this case, DOESN'T get) what she deserves. A fun little piece from Daniel Guyton" (John Busser, New Play Exchange, 2025).


    Produced by Mostly Harmless Productions in Schenectady, NY, 2014

    Staged Reading at Process Theatre's Play Day Read-A-Thon in Atlanta, GA 2016



    Urine Trouble Now




    2M. One-Act (10 min), A young man's job interview is going swimmingly! Until he learns the results of his unfortunate piss test.

    • Excerpt published in The Best Men's Stage Monologues of 2016 by Smith & Kraus

    "It's rare that I bust a gut laughing when reading a play. Read it [and you'll] laugh out loud - produce it and your audience will laugh out loud. These characters are not exaggerations - I've worked in call centers, plenty of 'questionable' people." (Asher Wyndham, New Play Exchange, 2015)


    For more information, please click here.



    The Wedding Night Tweets




    1M,1F. One-Act (10 min), A newlywed husband discovers a problem with his wife's over-zealous affinity for social media on the day after their wedding.

    • Winner of Arkansas Theatre Collective's Spring Cleaning Festival , 2016
    • Winner of Audience Favorite Award from Short+Sweet Manila Festival (Philippines), 2017

    "Daniel is so so so funny! I saw this play at the Last Frontier Conference Fringe Festival and we were all laughing way too hard. The way Daniel can poke fun at current technology and how it affects romantic relationship is spot on! If you are doing a one act fest, this one is sure to get people excited!" (Catherine Weingarten, Last Frontier Theatre Conference, 2015)


    For more information, please click here.



    You Trippin?





    4M. One-Act (10 min) 4 teenagers plan to shoot up their high school. But first, they want to play some video games and smoke a bowl. Are they for real? Or are they just trippin? It's a very dark comedy.


    For more information, please click here.





    Daniel Guyton

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