Bradley Nies, Playwright

I'm thrilled to announce that one of my plays, Historical Mutilations, will be produced this summer by Theatre Off the Square in Weatherford, Texas.  Along with Mike Byham's play, Arti Doll, my play will be produced on June 7-9, 2024, as both plays were winners of the 2023 New Works Contest.  I am so excited that such a prestigious venue as Theatre Off the Square will be producing one of my shows! Historical Mutilations is about the murder of Gary Hinman.  A hippie renaissance figure in the 1960s, as well as the Manson Family's "forgotten victim," Hinman was found dead in his home on Old Topanga Canyon Road eight days before Sharon Tate and four others were found murdered at Tate's Cielo Drive residence.  My play, a biodrama, depicts a possible conversation that Hinman and cult-leader Charles Manson may have had prior to Hinman's murder.  In doing so, Manson compares what is happening to Hinman to famous mutilations of the past, specifically the self-mutil

  With the Super Bowl being played tonight, I thought it'd be cool to look up some plays and musicals that focus on one of American's greatest pastimes. *All American:   Written by Mel Brooks, with music by Lee Adams and Charles Strouse, this musical-farce is set on the campus of a fictional Southern Baptist university.  When the techniques of an engineering instructor result in a winning football team, the professor finds him-self surrounded by people that want to exploit his fame.  The show opened on March 19, 1962, at the Winter Garden Theatre, and it starred Ray Bolger of Wizard of Oz fame. *Colossal:   Written by Andrew Hinderaker and set on a college football field in Texas, this poignant work is about a star football player that finds it difficult to move on from a crippling spinal cord injury.  In doing so, the play celebrates and attacks football; our nation's most popular form of theatre.  The show opened at the Olney Theater in Olney, Maryland in September of 20

 I haven't shared my good news on social media yet, so hear goes!  One of my plays, Historical Mutilations, will be produced this summer by Theatre Off the Square in Weatherford, Texas.  Along with Mike Byham's play, Arti Doll, my play will be produced on June 7-9, 2024.  Both plays were winners of the 2023 New Works Contest, and I am thrilled that such a prestigious venue as Theatre Off the Square will be taking on this project! Historical Mutilations tells the story of the murder of Gary Hinman.  A hippie renaissance figure in the 1960s, as well as the Manson Family's "forgotten victim," Hinman was found dead in his home on Old Topanga Canyon Road on July 31, 1969.  This was eight days before Sharon Tate and four others were found murdered at Tate's Cielo Drive residence.  My play, a biodrama, depicts a possible conversation that Hinman and cult-leader Charles Manson may have had prior to Hinman's murder.  In doing so, Manson compares what is happening t

With the Labor Day weekend upon us, let's step away from the theatre for a moment to take a look at some horror movies  we can enjoy this holiday.  Below are a couple of films with some "work" themes that may make you appreciate your place of employment a little more. *The Exorcist III  (1990) T he third installment in this film series, this movie stars George C. Scott as a l ieutenant who is hard at work investigating a series of demonic murders in Georgetown. *M3GAN (2023) A roboticist brings a mechanical wonder home from the office to serve as a friend, teacher, and playmate to her 8-year-old niece.  But when this robot begins making some pretty big decisions on her own, the roboticist realizes it may not always be good to bring your work home with you. *The Menu (2022) Working in a restaurant can be tough, especially when you work for a boss that takes food snobbery to a whole new level.  Don't expect to be paid overtime by this master chef who serves up the wea

Fifty years ago today, American serial killer Dean Arnold Corll was murdered by one of his teenaged accomplices.  While spending some time online, I found that quite a few serial killers have called the Lone Star State home.  Here's a list of the five most prolific Texas killers . . . in order of their number of victims: #1 Dean Arnold Corll: (28+)   The Candy Man   targeted, raped, tortured, and killed boys in the Houston-area, particularly runaways and teenage male sex workers who frequented in his candy factory. Movie :    In a Madman's World , directed by Josh Vargas Stage Play :   The Boys From Houston Heights , written by Bradley Nies #2 Carl Eugene Watts (22+)   The Sunday Morning Slasher  kidnapped, tortured, and murdered  young women between the ages of 14 and 44, usually around 4:00 AM on Sunday mornings. Movie :  The Empty Chair , directed by  Andrew Shebay Book :   Hidden Brutality: The Life of Serial Killer Carl Eugene Watts , written by Jack Smith #3 Ángel Maturi

Looking for a great play to produce this upcoming theatre season?  I've got some for you!  Available through Next Stage Press , all of the plays listed below are published, and they are just waiting to be produced at your school or theatre company:   https://www.nextstagepress.com/ MINOR INCONVENIENCES by Bradley Nies Cast Size:  2M 1F Running Time:  40 minutes Ever have trouble getting the lid off the mayonnaise jar?  Ever not be able to find the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle you’ve been working on for a month?  Ever wondered why life is full of things that inconvenience us?  After hitchhiking along Houston’s busy FM 1960, a young waitress comes face to face with an unlikely duo who claim to be responsible for the minor inconveniences in our lives.  ( Excellent for Middle School/Junior High ) PERFECT, MOTHER by Bradley Nies Cast Size:  1M 1W Running Time:  40 minutes Caroline Nobles in a single mother living in the small Texas town of Horsenettle with her eight year-old daught