Joseph Reed Hayes - playwright

Bucket Boy

COMING IN 2017
Nadra, a big city spoken word performance artist returns to her home town to recapture a relationship with Julia, the girl she loved in high school ... a relationship that may or may not have ever existed. Dragging along her fellow street performer, Elvin—aka The Bucket Boy—the three struggle with the difference between what they think is true, and what actually is the truth.

Playing at The Timucua White House July 17, 2017

Tom Waits For No Man

The concert preview of TOM WAITS FOR NO MAN, the rise, descent and redemption of a touring musician. Presented at the world-renown Timucua White House to its largest audience in 15 years.

"A Renaissance man..." — Orlando Sentinel

Solos

The Jazz Romance of trumpeter Ben "Blue" Miller and Ellie Grace

Winner: 2014 BroadwayWorld Orlando Awards, Best Lead Actress - Desiree Perez


A Slow Ride

Three generations of women take a Sunday ride

"A play by Joseph Reed Hayes is a welcome oasis of cultured smarts" — Orlando Weekly


A Little Crazy

A comedy about an elderly Russian man's last days with his favorite nephew.
The first play of House Theater Project


If I Had My Way

The illogical logic of relationships and the threat of war in a small citrus town


The Little Dickens

A Live Podcast Play for the Season, full of Suspense, Mystery, hi-tech and Pudding

"Joseph Hayes' sense of dialogue and structure, his wit and awareness of the foibles of our society and the humanism that fill the pages of his work make him a true dramatist." — David Amram.

32 productions and readings of my plays from coast to coast and in three countries since 2001. From the big stage extravaganza of Tempus to the intimate "living room" drama A Little Crazy, my plays take place on buses and in bars, in hotel rooms and government offices, farmhouse kitchens and jazz stages.

Creator of House Theater Project, live-streaming theater from intimate and non-traditional spaces, called "A very innovative use of technology to expand the definition of live performance" by United Arts of Central Florida, who awarded a Professional Development Grant for its creation; and Jazz On Edge, original jazz events presented in unusual spaces. Creator/curator of 13in13, a year-long series of 13 original, creative events written, produced or presented by Joseph Hayes in 2013, which attracted a successful Kickstarter campaign.

Plays and readings in New York, Florida, Texas, Wisconsin, California, Italy, England and Scotland. Winner: Community Foundation of Jacksonville Art Ventures Fund Grant; United Arts Professional Development Grant 2012, 2009; Florida Division of Cultural Affairs Individual Artist Fellowship; Telly Award; Galati Research Grant; "Playing by the Lake" Festival. Three time associate artist, Atlantic Center for the Arts.

The Short Plays

West Farms

A worn man reminisces about youth, boxing, family and The Metropolitan bar

Tell It To The Bird

Meet Ethel, the Pest Elimination Companion.

A God in Aspect

Ancient Lovecraftian gods or the Federal Goverment ... who is scarier?

Johnny Mystery: Public School Private Eye

 Johnny is a bright ten-year-old, who solves mysteries only a kid can understand.

In Progress

Tempus

The end of Swing. The birth of Cool. The Old World meets the Jazz Age.
A story of heritage, pride and conflict, old ways and old players making way for the new, in a time when musicians of all colors were forbidden to perform together in public, but shared musical styles and explored new avenues of expression after hours. Taking inspiration from Shakespeare's Tempest, big band and bebop, Old World and new, with live musician/actors onstage playing original jazz and klezmer music both revived from the period and written specifically for this project, Tempus looks at life spoken in the universal languages of music and love.

After Two

Ray loves Carly. Carly loves Darryl, but can't remember why. Sandi loves Bill. Bill loves the waitress. James loves his son. Sam hates everyone.

Staged reading and workshop, Lake County Repertory Theatre, Lower Lake CA 2004: Brian Williams; Norman Winckler; Frank Perry: Hank Porter; Moira Harris; Frances Leuck; Max Oken
Finalist, "Playing by the Lake" Script Writing Festival 2003

Band of Drunks

They're young, wild and talented, hard-drinking, hard-living rock stars of their age ... Russia, in 1859.

Bucket Boy

Love sometimes runs in a straight line. Unfortunately.

Buddha, Mohammed & Jesus Walk Into a Bar

 

Johnny Shakespeare: Born To Be Bard

 

The Planets Align in Their Sinister Design

 

  • Timucua White House 2015
  • 13in13 Project: Downtown Credo 2013
  • 13in13 Project: Lowndes Shakespeare Center 2013
  • Theater Row Studios 2012
  • House Theater Project 2012
  • Winter Park Playhouse 2009
  • Atlantic Center for the Arts 2007, 2000, 1997
  • VisionTV, Orlando 2007
  • Playwrights' Round Table 2007, 2006
  • Valencia College Black Box Theatre 2007
  • Theatre Downtown 2006
  • State Forensics Competition, University of Wisconsin 2006
  • Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Critical Writing Competition, San Antonio TX 2006
  • Kerouac House 2006, 2005
  • Stardust Video 2005
  • Orlando Fringe Festival 2004
  • Downtown Media Arts Center, Orlando 2004
  • Beast Festival, Triangle Theatre, NYC 2004
  • Lake County Repertory Theatre CA 2004
  • Chapters on Park 2004
  • Charade Drama Group, Bristol, England 2004
  • Jazz Gallery NYC 2003
  • Bill Whitney Players Portland, OR 2003
  • ATC Fall 2003 Contest for Original Full-Length Plays
  • Orlando Fringe Festival 2002
  • Eyewitness Theatre, Manchester England 2001