the cast of 100 days

Open Space Arts and PlaywrightPower.com present 100 DAYS, a powerful evening of new ten-minute plays featuring characters navigating the realities of today’s political landscape. Curated by PlaywrightPower and directed by co-founder Tara Blau Smollen, these plays were written since the most recent election and selected from over 160 submissions nationwide.

100 DAYS premieres on Wednesday, April 30—marking the 100th day of the new administration—and runs through Sunday, May 4. Each performance will feature the same compelling lineup of plays, offering a snapshot of a nation in flux through the eyes of its storytellers.  Each performance will be followed by audience talkback. 

Playwright Power, officially incorporated in late 2024, launched its first open call for new plays with modest expectations—hoping for a couple dozen submissions by the March 1 deadline. Instead, the response exceeded all hopes. The selected works reflect a powerful range of voices and perspectives, tackling urgent and deeply human issues such as economic hardship, abortion, immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and more. From heartbreaking to hilarious, these plays demonstrate the transformative potential of storytelling in uncertain times.

Performance Schedule:
Wednesday, April 30 – Saturday, May 3 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, May 4 at 3:00 PM

Suggested donation: $10

Tickets can be purchased here. The online stagebill can be read here. 

The shows are:  

A NECROPSY

By Stephanie Heathcock, Knob Moster, MO

Medical examiners are unique in that, by the end of an autopsy, they may know the deceased better than any other living person. The body of a sixteen year old girl has found its way to Dr. Sydney Rose's table,and what they discover will unexpectedly change the way this girl will be remembered.

ASK YOURSELF

By Mike Ryder, Broomfield, CO

In chaos there is opportunity. Words to live by, if you're Tucker. He and his billionaire tech-bros have destabilized the economy to get richer and Tucker is waiting out the riots in his secret bunker. He has everything he needs to ride out the storm, including a trophy wife and private security detail. He has thought of everything. Or has he?

ENEMIES FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC 

By Michael Burke, Chicago, IL 

Set in the near future in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, U.S. Special Agent Elek interrogates university history professor Paul Razowsky after Paul's husband has gone missing.

LEAKING

By Marguerite Scott, Sante Fe, NM

A weary 63 and 1/3 year old woman, trying to find a pro-active outlet for her economic survival rage, shares a letter she has written to the CEO of the Dollar Tree Store. She's particularly upset about the price increase of overnight bladder pads. While trying to save the bees.

THE MORNING AFTER 

By Stephen Taft, Republic, MO

It’s November 6th, the morning after the 2024 Presidential election. Iconic figures gather to discuss the surprising results and to decide on a way to move forward in an unsettling time.

world is a fuck

By Beckett Flynn, Brooklyn, NY

Two queer friends smoke and rage outside their hometown church where their best friend — after renouncing her queerness and accepting Jesus into her heart — just got married.

WRONG WHEN DECIDED

By Douglas Whaley, Dublin, OH

A newly appointed Supreme Court justice is pressured by another member of the Court to help overturn the Court's landmark decision on LGBTQ marriage.

99 BOTTLES OF BEER

By Beth Harpaz, Brooklyn, NY

Passengers on a train band together to shut down a man spewing hatred.

Cast

Mary Anne Bowman

Rachel Fox

Nathan Kabara

David Niemeyer

Niara Taylor

Director Tara Blau Smollen

Producer David Zak