If you would
like to produce any of these plays, please contact me:
Don Nguyen
Contact Me Now
For RED FLAMBOYANT please contact:
Morgan Jenness or Kate Navin at
Abrams Artists Agency
275 Seventh Ave
26th floor
New York, NY 10001
646-486-4600
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Don Nguyen was born in Saigon, Vietnam, grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska, and currently resides in Astoria, Queens. Don studied theatre at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and he served as the Artistic Director of the Shelterbelt Theatre in Omaha from 1999-2003.
As a writer, Don's full-length plays include Three To Beam Up (The Shelterbelt Theatre, Nebraska Arts Grant recipient), The Man From Saigon, and Red Flamboyant (finalist O'Neill National Playwrights Conference). His one-act play The Harlequin Maneuvre was a finalist in the Riant Theatre's Strawberry One-Act Festival (2004) and was published in The Best of The Strawberry One-Act Festival, Volume 1. It has subsequently been produced in New York, Nebraska, and Canada.
Other one act plays include Fat Ugly Vampire (Nuyorican Poets Cafe, NY), The Imaginary Association of Flight Attendants (Nuyorican Poets Cafe, NY), Love 160 (The Pack Lounge Series 3, Robert Moss Theater, NY), The Dragon Lord and the Fairy Queen (commissioned by The Lincoln Community Playhouse), A Decision of Extraordinary Magnitude, and a collection of eight Halloween plays: Bloodsucker, The Woman in the Blue Dress, Iron Chef: Battle of the Global Cuisine, Cooking with Julia, Soulmates, Torture, Survivor Down Under, and The Deadly Seduction, which were all produced by The Shelterbelt Theatre.
Other writing credits include The Living Newspaper Workshop where he wrote several one acts and a webisode.
Other short plays and monologues include Sexual Chocolate (The Secret Theatre, Long Island City), Girl Reflected (Emerging Writers Retreat) and Look, A Lion (Emerging Writers Retreat). Don is a member of the New York Public Theater's 2008 Inaugural Emerging Writers Group.
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Productions |
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RED FLAMBOYANT
RED FLAMBOYANT takes place in Haiphong, Vietnam and is an origin story about the first support group for Vietnamese women living with HIV/AIDS. Administered by Mrs Hue, herself living with AIDS, the group's sole purpose is to not let anyone "die alone." Complications quickly ensue as the four women (Mrs Hue, Mrs Sau, Vung, and Nga) struggle to find common ground with each other as well as themselves. The play unravels as personalities clash and all four women struggle to live their remaining days with dignity, in the face of imminent death. As a monsoon fast approaches the area, the women seek shelter in the comfort and recluse of their small house. Mrs Sau, the elder of the group, fights to preserve and retell the story of the legendary Trung Sisters to the women.
The play is split wide open as the Trung Sisters appear on stage and we follow their story in parallel with the women. Out of the comfort and intimacy of their small living room, Mrs Hue and the other women are forced to deal with the outside world and the elements that come with it. Meanwhile, exploring the last days of the Trung Sisters calls upon an examination of the role of women throughout time, and the philosophy and psychology of the hero myth.
The play uses elements of music, song, and storytelling to weave traditional Vietnamese elements onto the modern fabric of the world of these women.
Reading: The Emerging Writers Group Spotlight Series at The Public Theater (Anspacher)
Directed by Joanna Settle
Mrs Hue................................Jennifer Ikeda
Mrs Sau................................Jade Wu
Vung....................................Doan Ly
Nga......................................Eunice Wong
Diem/Tranh..........................Hoon Lee
Stage Directions..................Bonna Tek
Reading:
Shakespeare on the Sound, Greenwich, CT
Directed by Joanna Settle
Mrs Hue................................Cindy Cheung
Mrs Sau................................Ching Valdez
Vung....................................Doan Ly
Nga......................................Nancy Wu
Diem/Tranh..........................Jo Jo Gonzales
Stage Directions..................Bonna Tek
Reading:
Firebone Theatre, New York
Directed by Laura Savia
Mrs Hue................................Karen Tsen Lee
Mrs Sau................................Virginia Wing
Vung....................................Doan Ly
Nga......................................Mina Kim
Diem/Tranh..........................Francis Jue
Stage Directions..................Stephanie Hsu
Reading:
Immigrant Voices Project at Queens Theater in the Park
Directed by Joanna Settle
Mrs Hue................................Karen Tsen Lee
Mrs Sau................................Jade Wu
Vung....................................Bonna Tek
Nga......................................Nancy Wu
Diem/Tranh..........................Hoon Lee
Stage Directions..................Mariam Habib
Reading: The Emerging Writers Group Excerpt Night at The Public Theater
Directed by Niegel Smith
Mrs Hue...............................Karen Tsen Lee
Mrs Sau...............................Jade Wu
Vung....................................Bonna Tek
Nga.....................................Sue-Jean Kim
Stage Directions..................Mariam Habib
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Currently under development in the Emerging Writers Group at the Public Theater
Finalist, O'Neill National Playwrights Conference
Upcoming readings:
Shakespeare on the Sound
July 2009
The Public Theater
Spotlight Series
May 2009
Queens Theater in the Park - Immigrant Voices Project
April 4, 2009
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THE MAN FROM SAIGON
Currently under development
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Currently under development in the Emerging Writers Group at the Public Theater
440 Lafayette Street, New York, NY
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THREE TO BEAM UP 
Three To Beam Up is about the journey of a man who believes
he is a federation starship captain from the future and the
family that will fight to keep him from stepping off the ledge
of sanity. The story begins with Sam Wisher arriving home to
aid his sister, Jules, in helping their father re-grasp the
vines of reality. Their father, John Wisher, believes he is
the captain of a starship whose duty it is to set off on a rescue
mission to save a woman he does not know. After giving up on
all doctors, Sam finds a strange and mysterious Dr. Von Heizenberg
who specializes in treating Star Trek fanatics. The doctor agrees
to help Sam and his father, but little does the doctor know,
this may be the strangest case he has ever treated. |
Shelterbelt Theatre, August 1999
TAG Nomination
for Outstanding New Script
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LOVE 160
Dan and Christina seek help from Dr. Scott, a sex therapist, but soon finds out she's a different kind of doctor.
Directed by Scott Ebersold
Dr. Scott................................Gayton Scott
Christina...............................Christina Shipp
Dan..................................Simon Kendall
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Performed as part of THE PACK LOUNGE SERIES 3: MISTAKEN IDENTITY at The Robert Moss Theater, New York
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FAT UGLY VAMPIRE
Philip and Megan are friends with benefits. When Philip professes his love for Megan, she points out certain physical aspects of Phil that are less than desirable to her. Also, he's a Vampire.
Directed by Don Nguyen
Phlip Feru................................Chris Van Strander
Megan Megan...............................Christina Shipp
Narrator..................................Bonna Tek
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Performed as part of NEVER DISCONNECTED 2 at Nuyorican Poets Cafe, New York
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THE IMAGINARY ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS
A collection of monologues about the public and private lives of attendants of the friendly skies.
Directed by Jess Chayes
Ida....................................Emily Perkins
Naomi...............................Alicia Blasingame
Samantha.........................Bonna Tek
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Performed as part of NEVER DISCONNECTED at Nuyorican Poets Cafe, New York
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THE ROCKET BOYS
Franky and Barry are two brothers needing a change of scenery. Living in their parents basement and playing video games is the norm for them, until one day they decide to build a rocket to Mars.
Directed by Jason Hare
Franky....................................Emmett Goodman-Boyd
Barry...............................Marcus Quinones
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Performed as part of YOU ARE HERE: PLAYS FOR NEW PLACES at The 52nd Street Project, New York
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A DECISION OF EXTRAORDINARY MAGNITUDE
A playwright, bound to a chair, is forced to come to terms with his cultural identity, at the hands of his not so smart captors.
Read full script
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GIRL, REFLECTED
A short one act inspired by Aesop's Fable "The Man, the Boy, and the Donkey"
This was written for the Public Theater's Emerging Writers Group inaugaral retreat.
MAY ADRALES (Director)
CATHERINE BARRICKLOW (Stage Manager)
Cast:
NANA MENSAH (Girl)
NIXON CESAR (Boy, Reflection)
CLAYTON APGAR (Ayn Rand, Father, Florence Nightingale, Expectant Mother)
Read full script
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Performed at the Black Box Theater at 440 Studios
440 Lafayette Street, New York, NY |
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LOOK, A LION
A short one act written in the tradition of Sienfeld
This was written for the Public Theater's Emerging Writers Group fall retreat.
ANDY DONALD(Director)
CATHERINE BARRICKLOW (Stage Manager)
Cast:
REBECCA HART(Rebecca)
CLEA ALSIP(Clea)
JON LEVENSON(John)
Read full script
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Performed at the Shiva Theater/Public Theater
440 Lafayette Street, New York, NY
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TANBOU SILAN
A responose to the earthquak in Haiti
Directed by Laura Savia
Cast:
Lizzie Olsen, Stephanie Dimaggio, Claire Wilmoth, and Roger Lirtsman
Music provided by La Troupe Makandal's Drumming workshop
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Performed as part of NOU SE ZANME a benefit for Partners in Health, Joe's Pub, New York
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GIRL STRUCK
Directed by Laura Savia
Cast:
Lizzie Olsen, Joanna Simmons, Claire Wilmoth, John Dixon, DeWanda Wise, Satya Bhabha and Roger Lirtsman
Music provided by La Troupe Makandal's Drumming workshop
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Performed in a workshop for The Living Newspaper, Manhattan Theatre Club Studio, New York
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DA BEH
Directed by Laura Savia
Cast:
Lizzie Olsen, Joanna Simmons, Claire Wilmoth, John Dixon, DeWanda Wise, Satya Bhabha and Roger Lirtsman
Music provided by La Troupe Makandal's Drumming workshop
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Performed in a workshop for The Living Newspaper, Manhattan Theatre Club Studio, New York
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MJ/G8
Directed by Laura Savia
Cast:
Lizzie Olsen, Joanna Simmons, Claire Wilmoth, John Dixon, DeWanda Wise, Satya Bhabha and Roger Lirtsman
Music provided by La Troupe Makandal's Drumming workshop
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Performed in a workshop for The Living Newspaper, Manhattan Theatre Club Studio, New York
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THE HARLEQUIN MANEUVRE
A man enters the romance novel that he's been reading and forces
the two harlequin characters Fabreze and Jezebel to act out
his own break up with his girlfriend, in order to gain some
closure.
Omaha
Production Photos | New
York Production Photos
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University College of the Fraser Valley, Chilliwack, BC
Apr 2008
Finalist
- Strawberry One Act Festival Winter 2003 - Riant Theatre, NYC
Shelterbelt Theatre, January 2003
2003 TAG nomination for outstanding new script
2003 TAG nomination for outstanding one act play
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The Dragon Lord and the Fairy Queen
A short ten minute one act which
explores the ancient Vietnamese legend of the Dragon Lord and
the Fairy Queen and the heroics and sacrifices of both.
Read full script
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Commissioned by The Lincoln Community Playhouse, June 2004
Lincoln Children's Museum traveling fall exhibit EXPLORING VIETNAM
THROUGH FOLKTALES. |
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Iron
Chef: Battle of the Global Cuisine
Comic satire of the popular Japanese cooking show, with
a surprise visit from Julia Child herself. Written as somewhat
of a sequel to "Cooking With Julia"
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Shelterbelt Theatre, October 2001 |
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The
Woman In The Blue Dress
A reaccurring dream of a woman in a blue dress being stalked,
comes true as Sarah, discovers who the real killers are.
Read
full script
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Shelterbelt Theatre, October 2000 for Shelterskelter 5 |
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Cooking
With Julia
The episode that never aired, Julia Child introduces cannibalistic
dishes to world.
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Shelterbelt Theatre, October 2000 for Shelterskelter 5
2001 TAG nomination for outstanding
new script |
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Soulmates
Soulmates are meant to be together, even after death. Steven
finds this out the hard way as he is revisited by the spirit
of his dead girlfriend.
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Shelterbelt Theatre, October 2000 for Shelterskelter 5
2001 TAG nomination for outstanding
new script |
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Bloodsucker
Five men held captive by the beautiful and blood thirsty
succubus, devise a plan to escape her clutches, which ends in
a hilarious song and dance number.
Read
full script
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Shelterbelt Theatre, October 2000 for Shelterskelter 5
2001 TAG nomination for outstanding
one act play
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Torture
After running into a woman with his car, Dr. Frankincense decides
to bring her back to life and take her as his wife, thinking
that we will now have a woman who will slave over him and answer
to his beck and call. Little does he know, that she really does
have a mind of her own.
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Shelterbelt Theatre, October 2000 for Shelterskelter 5 |
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Survivor
Down Under
Down
in the outback, the snake bitten Steve Irwin, famous crocodile
hunter from Animal Planet, discovers that the cast of Survivor
2 have eaten the entire crew of the popular reality series.
Steve then encounters a greater force. Will he survive this
one?
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Shelterbelt Theatre, October 2000 for Shelterskelter 5 |
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The
Hand of Father
A man in a secluded cabin unravels the mysteries of his
family.
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Public
Reading, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, 1991 |
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Sexual Chocolate
Noami talks about sex and chocolate and how the two are interrelated.
Read
full script |
First performed by Alicia Blasingame as part of "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll Meltdown" at the Secret Theatre, NY March 2008 |
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Notes |
Come
With Me
A historical romantic fantasy set in Italy, where a mysterious
man comes to town in search of his long lost love.
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Forget
Me Not
A sci-fi story about a man in the future, haunted by painful
memories of his past, decides to undergo an operation that will
erase the memories of his life.
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Notes |
The
Art of Taking Press Photos for the Theatre
Gives you tips on taking interesting, eye-catching production
photos for your stage production.
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Designing
Theatrical Posters
Tips on designing theatical one sheets, with poster samples. |
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| Building
a theatre board |
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Beginning
Playwriting
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ADRIENNE KENNEDY
NY |
Master Class |
OSKAR EUSTIS
Public Theater, NY |
Master Class |
DAVID HENRY HWANG & LEIGH SILVERMAN
Public Theater, NY |
Master Class |
DIANA SON
Public Theater, NY |
Master Class |
LISA KRON
Public Theater, NY |
Master Class |
RICHARD NELSON
Public Theater, NY |
Master Class |
HAL PRINCE
Cherry Lane Theatre, NY |
Master Class |
DAVID HENRY HWANG
Cherry Lane Theatre, NY |
Master Class |
TERRENCE MCNALLY
Cherry Lane Theatre, NY |
Master Class |
DAVID LINDSAY-ABBAIRE
Cherry Lane Theatre, NY |
Master Class |
KATHY FLETCHER
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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Playwrighting |
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