Photography by: Shannel Resto (SJR Photography) IG: @s.j.rphotography 

Photo Credit: Ben Goldberg

Lauded poet, songwriter, and author of children’s books, the incomparable Shel Silverstein also wrote dozens of short plays, which are deeply infused with the same wicked sense of humor that made Silverstein famous.

DO NOT FEED THE ANIMAL. Ann sits next to Vern on a park bench and notices his tiny box with a sign that reads “Do not feed the animal.” She suddenly becomes irate while wondering what is so special about this mystery animal to deny her permission to feed it. As she stuffs a croissant in the box, she painfully finds out. (1 man, 1 woman.)

CLICK. Valerie tries to relax by reading a magazine in the bathtub as Leonard irritatingly sits on the toilet seat playing Russian roulette. He tells her the bullet he put in the gun might be a blank. She tells him she switched his bullet with another that may be real. She insists that he finish his game. (1 man, 1 woman.)

DUCK. Burt warns Morgan before entering a low doorway to “duck"—as the sign says. Little does Morgan know that there are actual ducks waiting to bite him on the other side. (2 men, 1 woman.)

HAVE A NICE DAY. Ben, Al, and Cyrus try to take the symbols for “Peace” and “Have a nice day” and combine them—believing that both of these ideas can coexist in one symbol. Trying to accomplish this leads to conflict and a lousy day. (3 men.)

GARBAGE BAGS. In this monologue, Sarah sits between monstrous stacks of garbage bags, grocery bags and cardboard boxes. As she recites her poem of refusing to take out the garbage, the bags move closer and closer, until she disappears. (1 woman.) 

Art Credit: Ash Bingham

Two angry young men sit behind a Vermont coffee shop and discuss music and Bukowski. When a lonely high-school student arrives on the scene, they decide to teach him everything they know. A play with music about friendship, art, love and death.

Directed by Megan Parker, starring Nathaniel Gaul, Jack Pearson and Jeffrey Liu, and featuring scenic design by Ash Bingham, The Aliens is a sharp commentary on masculinity and male friendships and an interesting exploration of art, “dirtbag” culture, and what it means to be a genius.