R. James Scott
R. James Scott began writing and performing as a teenager in the early ‘70s. He approaches each new project as a literary and performance adventure. For the past thirty years, he has been performing, directing, and writing for college, community and high school theatres. He lived through the Vietnam era, and drew on many of his memories of that time to complete "The Birthday Party" which was first produced for regional and state one-act play competitions in the spring of 2002. He has also created monologues for the collection "Multiplicity" with former student Bianca Cowan. "A Highland Requiem" was first produced in the spring of 2003 for regional and state one-act play festivals where it received several performance awards.
The Last Train
Drama Historic by R. James Scott
31 pages
6 m, 5 w, extra flexible roles
World War II lingers on. The unspeakable operations in the death camps are slated for closure, but there is still time for one last train to deliver prisoners before the Americans arrive. Two young German soldiers, Hans and Eric, are sick at heart and know their country is in ruin. They are assigned to assist the loading of the last car. Eric is shocked when he hears Anna, a childhood friend, call out to him for help. But Anna doesn’t have her papers, and no matter what Eric says to his superiors, he cannot convince them it is wrong for her to be there. Hans ...
Things That Fly
Drama by R. James Scott
23 pages
4 m, 4 w, 2 flexible
Eleven-year-old Robert, with help from his little sister Sally, has built a flying machine in their backyard. On launch day, he is hassled by his older brother Bryan, as well as the local neighbor kids. When the machine fails to operate as Robert expects, he is laughed at and ridiculed by those who have come to watch. Little Sally comes to his rescue, and together they fly. About 35 minutes.
Birthday Party
Drama by R. James Scott
26 pages
8 m, 3 w, extras
A complex and moving play as a soldier serving overseas "celebrates" a birthday by militarily taking a hill while his twin sister back home celebrates their birthday with the family and her twin's fiancée. The surreal setting and movement of the action lead to a shocking conclusion. About 30 minutes.
Multiplicity
Monologues by R. James Scott
60 pages
Resource Book
Looking at life not frontwards, not backwards, not sidewards, but slantwards, this collection of haunting and poetic monologues will have your actors deeply involved in character and committed to what is wanted the objective. Many of the characters they paint, from a presidential assassin to a human duck, are intriguing, quirky, and entertaining. There is a clear through-line of thought. These monologues run from 2 to 8 minutes in length and are ideal for community theatre auditions or for college classroom work.