writing – Downstage Left

This December, Downstage Left invites you to step into the warmth of the season with a festive edition of Playground. Amsterdam-based writers have created a collection of original one-act plays inspired by the holiday spirit: stories of togetherness, mischief, and a touch of winter magic.

Through this joyful evening of short performances, local artists explore the many ways we celebrate, connect, and rediscover meaning at the close of the year. Expect laughter, heart, and that unmistakable Christmas glow: TICKETS HERE!

Here is the exciting line-up:

Not This Again

Written by: Lauren Maxwell
Directed by: Denis Burke
Performed by: Abigail Levene, Freek Wouters, and Emma Reppa

Rachel, recovering from a recent heart scare, returns home to her parents’ house for some much-needed rest. As her mother, Sarah, fusses over her health and her father, Mel, cracks jokes to lighten the mood, old tensions and unspoken emotions begin to surface. The holiday season brings them together for a moment of reflection and reconnection, but the absence of Hanukkah candles and the weight of unresolved issues force each family member to face their own struggles.

OrnaMental

Written by: Katie Zaniboni
Directed by: Rudi Araújo
Performed by: Christine Blakely, Sam Aronson, Sean Olson-Roy, Stacy Filimonova, and Martin Koster
Original music by: Raphael Sousa Santos

Snowed in at school on the Friday before Christmas break, a group of teachers pass the time by decorating the staff room tree and unexpectedly discover the true power of Christmas.

Murder for One

Written by: Jon Madge
Directed by: Mash Muravina
Performed by: Andy Cowie and Ben Evans

In this festive and fast-paced murder mystery farce, two retired detectives, Clune and Worthing, find themselves spending Christmas Eve together in a retirement home. As they reminisce about their once-glorious careers, Clune becomes fixated on his greatest unsolved case: the mysterious poisoning of Monsieur Darius Birch thirty years ago. A witty reminder that even in old age, the thrill of a good mystery is never far behind.

Snowed Under

Written by: Jeremy Keighley (with thanks to Mihaela Voinescu for additional ideas)
Directed by: Denis Burke
Performed by: Katya Petrova, Brian Ligthart, and Omar Mahmoud

A warm, chaotic comedy set on Christmas Eve in a chilly student flat in 1980s Northern England. Josh, Jude, and Danny are scrambling to catch a train home for Christmas dinner, but a series of mishaps threatens to ruin their plans. Between romantic tension, humorous misunderstandings, and last-minute packing, they navigate the absurdities of family expectations, love, and Christmas spirit.

Moving Time

Written by: Terri Sturman
Directed by: Peppy Mac Ruairi
Performed by: Türkü Köksel, Silvia Pietrosanti, Teresa Fernandez, Martin Koster, and Sean Olson-Roy

Chloe and Stevie have just moved into a freezing cottage in the countryside with no electricity. As they try to make the best of their first Christmas in a new place, their night takes an unexpected turn when a group of eccentric Mummers bursts in to perform a traditional Christmas play. A heartwarming story about ritual, community, and finding joy in the unexpected.

Crew

Production: Denis Burke
Lighting & Sound: Thomas Cripps
Designs: Kalina Chupetlovska
Communications: Silvia Pietrosanti
Social Media: Mash Muravina

TICKETS: https://badhuistheater.weticket.io/the-christmas-playground-with-downstage-left

Submit Your Play to Campfire: A Night of Staged Readings

Campfire is a special night of staged readings of new short plays, offering an excellent opportunity for writers to showcase their work in front of an audience and receive valuable feedback. All the plays featured at our Campfire nights are selected from new Amsterdam-based writers—so if you’re based in or around Amsterdam, we’d love to see what you’ve been working on.

Submission Guidelines

To ensure your play fits with our format and ethos, please review the following guidelines:

Original Work: Your play should be an original piece written by you (someone who lives in or around Amsterdam).
Length: Plays should be 10-15 minutes in length. A good rule of thumb is that one page takes about one minute to read.
Cast Size: Your play should require no more than 3 performers.
Language: Plays must be written in English.
Thematic Alignment: Your play should align with Downstage Left’s ethos and values. We encourage drama that explores sensitive themes, as long as the intention behind it is thoughtful and respectful. (Note: This will be a subjective judgment call on our part.)
Formatting: Please format your play in a way that’s easy for us to read. If you’re unsure, the BBC has a great template for stage play formatting that you can use: BBC Stage Play Template.

Who Can Submit?

We’re looking for brand new writers, those with some experience, and even those who are new to writing in English. Whether you’re just starting out or have been writing for a while, we encourage you to submit your play. We value diversity of experience and voice.

How to Submit

To submit your play, please send it as an attachment (PDF, Word doc, or Google doc) to info@downstageleft.org. In the subject line, make sure to include CAMPFIRE 4.

Deadline: The deadline for submissions is 28 February 2025.

When Will Campfire Take Place?

If your play is selected, the staged reading will be held on April 4th and 5th, 2025.

Good Luck & Good Writing!

We can’t wait to read your work. Good luck with your writing, and we look forward to seeing what you’ve been creating!

Tag: writing

The Christmas Playground