The Cooking Gene is published by YouthPLAYS. Click the above button to open a new window and order a perusal copy or performance rights.
About The Play
Dramedy. 2 males. 10 minutes. Suggested set. Suitable for stage performance or competitive forensics for high school and up (or possibly for skilled middle school actors).
Special thanks to Rosie Best and the students of Toledo School for the Arts for their assistance in developing the play. The Cooking Gene premiered as part of NativeAliens Theatre Collective's Short Stories 10.
"Jonathan Dorf's writing soars above the typical fare we've looked at for young actors. In The Cooking Gene he takes what can be a challenging subject and manages to make it funny and touching and genuine at the same time. Our audiences were moved by this lovely piece of work." - Donald Shenk, Artistic Director, StillSpeaking Theatre (San Marino, CA)
"The Cooking Gene was awesome! If I were a teacher, I would definitely put it into my forensics rotation... I think it poses a rewarding challenge for young actors because the characters are so candid and well drawn. It's just the sort of material I wish more teachers and students would take a risk on." - Bradley Hayward, professional playwright
Synopsis
When a high school home economics family budgeting assignment requires each student to choose a pretend husband or wife, a gay teen shakes things up by choosing his boyfriend to be his husband.
Online Playwriting Class Starts on May 21st! I will be teaching a month-long online playwriting class through Writers University beginning on May 21.
Festivals, Festivals, Festivals I am excited to be attending a number of national conferences in the coming months. First up, the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska in late June, where I'll be teaching a quartet of writing workshops and hanging out at the Playscripts booth!
The Locker Next to Mine Now Available
My new play, The Locker Next to Mine, is now available. It's a full-length drama, though spiked with humor, about teen suicide and dealing with loss. I'm looking for a group to stage the world premiere. Could that be you?
Though the one-act version, available from Playscripts, stands on its own (and is perfect for competition!), this play was always intended to be a full-length composed of three acts: Rumors of Polar Bears, Ursa Major and Northern Lights. Look for the other two plays in the cycle sometime in 2012.
Starting out as a writer? Get help by clicking here. You'll find playwriting instructional tips, links to young playwrights contests, sample query and cover letters and even a suggested reading list!
Can't figure out why your script isn't working? I can help. For a reasonable rate, I will give you detailed feedback to get your project back on track.
