Here & Queer
A Series of Short Plays About Living Out Loud
Created by Jye Bryant
A riotous, heartfelt collection celebrating the glorious chaos of queer existence.
This bold, hilarious, and heartfelt collection of short plays is a celebration of queer identity in all its complexity, contradiction, and colour. With a blend of biting satire, emotional depth, and theatrical flair, Here & Queer explores what it means to be LGBTQIA+ in a world that constantly demands performance, perfection, and labels.
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As a flexible collection of short plays, theatre companies and producers have the freedom to select the play/s that most resonate with their season, their ensemble, and their audiences.
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The Plays
Revoked - A Short Play (2025)
Nathan, a proud gay man, receives a shocking letter: his membership to the International League of Homosexuals has been revoked for “insufficient gay activity.” Cue a frantic quest to prove his queerness—complete with a crash course in show tunes, voguing, and proper brunch etiquette. A razor-sharp satire about gatekeeping, stereotypes, and the absurd pressure to “perform” LGBTQIA+ identity.
DURATION: 15 mins | CAST: 3 men, 1 character of any gender | GENRE: Satirical Comedy​​​​
The Gay Agenda - A Short Play (2025)
In a glitter-fueled takedown of right-wing conspiracy theories, The Gay Agenda follows a team of queer activists whose secret lair and outrageous plans for global "recruitment" hilariously expose the absurdity of anti-LGBTQIA+ paranoia.
What begins as a playful mission to "convert the straights" through cultural subversion takes an unexpected turn when the team's plans escalate to a full-scale chemical warfare. As ideological divisions emerge within the group, their debate over tactics exposes deeper questions about what true liberation requires. The arrival of their arch-nemesis - a frothing conservative crusader - sparks a delightfully chaotic confrontation where secret alliances are revealed, and queer ingenuity shines brightest.
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DURATION: 15 mins | CAST: 1 woman, 1 man, 3 characters of any gender | GENRE: Queer Political Satire​
Straight Out Of The Closet - A Short Play (2025)
Gary and Marcy, an over-the-top, ultra-progressive couple, have spent their entire lives preparing for the moment when their son, Adam, would come out as gay. They’ve imagined attending pride parades together, throwing him a fabulous coming out party, and eventually attending his same-sex wedding. But when Adam finally sits them down to reveal who he really is, it’s not at all what they expected. In fact, it’s the one scenario they never saw coming.
Straight Out of The Closet is a riotous comedy about identity, assumptions, and what happens when the people who claim to be the most open-minded realise… they might not know everything after all.
DURATION: 10 mins | CAST: 1 woman, 2 men | GENRE: Family Comedy​
Dead Wrong - A Short Play (2025)
When Stanley, a melodramatic hypochondriac, becomes convinced his headache is a terminal diagnosis, an eccentric death doula mysteriously appears at his door - not summoned, but sent, she insists, by the universe. When their session takes a shocking turn, Stanley discovers an uncomfortable truth: his obsession with dying might just be the safest way to avoid truly living. A darkly funny exploration of connection, mortality, and the stories we tell ourselves.
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DURATION: 10 mins | CAST: 1 woman, 1 man | GENRE: Dark Comedy
The Third Toothbrush - A Short Play (2025)
When long-term couple Ollie and Marcus try to spice up their relationship with a one-off threesome, they expect a clean break by morning – but their guest, Jasper, has other ideas. As he settles in a little too comfortably, the couple are forced to confront the blurry line between fun and feelings, in a sharp, funny exploration of boundaries, assumptions and unintended intimacy.
DURATION: 10 mins | CAST: 3 men | GENRE: Comedy​​
Masc 4 Masc - A Short Play (2025)
Zack has been chatting with Brody on Grindr for the past few days and tonight they are finally meeting, however, there is one small problem: Brody’s profile says he is looking for ‘masc4masc’ (masculine for masculine) and of which Zack is most definitely not.
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Masc 4 Masc is a hilarious takedown of the toxic pressure gay men feel to conform to straight masculine ideals, proving that true confidence comes from authenticity – not from how much you bench press.
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DURATION: 15 mins | CAST: 3 men, 1 character of any gender | GENRE: Romantic Comedy​
The Quiet Storm - A Short Play (2025)
A heartfelt and tender short play exploring the emotional complexities of family, identity, and intergenerational connection. Set in the quiet intimacy of a grandfather’s living room, the story centres on Ethan, a young man grappling with the fear of coming out as gay to his ex-Navy grandfather, Ed. As the weight of silence grows heavier between them, what unfolds is a gentle, emotionally charged conversation that challenges assumptions and bridges their generational divide. With warmth, humour, and quiet strength, the play becomes a powerful reflection on love, courage, and the deep human need to be accepted for who we truly are.
DURATION: 10 mins | CAST: 2 men | GENRE: Family Drama​​
The Last Stop Before The Rainbow - A Short Play (2025)
Alone at her ex-boyfriend’s wedding to his new husband, Samantha hides out in the bathroom to avoid the awkward questions. One by one, her other exes - all now opening gay - show up to check on her. What starts as a series of confrontations becomes a poignant, funny exploration of evolving identity and the unexpected joy of being someone’s steppingstone to self-acceptance.
DURATION: 10 mins | CAST: 1 woman, 3 men | GENRE: Comedy​​
Class Act - A Short Play (2025)
Three elite, unapologetically snobby gays gather for their weekly Bitch and Bubbly session, indulging in champagne, gossip, and razor-sharp wit. But when Kane – an attractive outsider from the wrong side of town (and Tristan’s recent one-night stand) – shows up to collect a Nutribullet from Oscar’s ill-timed online marketplace listing, the evening takes an unexpected turn. What was meant to be a discreet fling suddenly crashes into Tristan’s carefully curated world of status and polish. As recognition dawns and tensions rise, the trio is forced to confront their own snobbery, with Kane unfazed and Tristan scrambling to save face, the truth about their carefully crafted identities – and the masks they wear – finally comes to light.
DURATION: 15 mins | CAST: 4 men | GENRE: Comedy​
Terms and Conditions - A Short Play (2025)
In a strained long-term relationship, Andy – a quiet graphic designer – finds unexpected comfort in Connor, an AI companion who listens with perfect patience and care. As Andy begins turning to Connor for the emotional support, he no longer feels from his partner Tim, jealousy and resentment rise to the surface. When Tim discovers just how deep Andy’s connection to the AI has become, the couple is forced into a confrontation that pushes them to question trust, intimacy, and what it means to be truly present for someone you love.
DURATION: 15 mins | CAST: 2 men | GENRE: Cyber-Tragedy​​
The Prince's Fortune - A Short Play (2025)
Bernard and Martin have met on this same park bench every Sunday since 2003 – shortly after both of their husbands died. They wear pocket squares and snazzy scarves. They speak softly, with carefully chosen words. They bring sherry in a thermos.
Today, Martin arrives with astonishing news: a Nigerian prince has supposedly left him a fortune! Together, the two friends dive headfirst into a world of royal intrigue, online forms, and the absurd possibilities of sudden wealth, all while navigating the hilarious pitfalls of technology, friendship, and their own imaginations.
DURATION: 15 mins | CAST: 2 men | GENRE: Comedy-Drama​
Shadow Minister - A Short Play (2025)
When a high-profile, vocally anti-gay politician receives a series of anonymous digital photographs – grainy images of his younger self in a moment of queer intimacy at a notorious beat – his carefully constructed life begins to unravel. Desperate to contain the threat, he returns under the cover of night to the now-overgrown site, expecting to meet his blackmailer. But no one is there.
Then his phone buzzes. One message. Then another. And another. Each text contains fragments of the past – dates, names, slurs he once hurled in parliament, and quotes from gay men whose lives were destroyed by the policies he championed. As the texts grow more specific and personal, a creeping dread sets in: someone knows everything.
DURATION: 15 mins | CAST: 1 man | GENRE: Psychological Thriller​​
Rainbow Tears (2007)
A Series of Short Plays
Premiering amidst the vibrant energy of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival of 2007, Rainbow Tears took centre stage with its thought-provoking narratives. Featuring the poignant plays 'Not In My Design', 'All Rights Reserved', and the stirring 'Boys Don't Cry', this series resonated deeply with audiences, sparking conversations and igniting change.
The impact of Rainbow Tears extended far beyond the stage. In 2008, 'Boys Don't Cry' was thrust into the spotlight once again, becoming a focal point of the highly controversial forum, 'Is There A Place For Gay and Lesbian Youth In The Catholic Church?' Despite the challenges, the play's powerful message continued to reverberate, amplifying voices and advocating for inclusivity.
Today, the scripts of these compelling plays serve as essential tools in promoting diversity and social justice education. From secondary schools to tertiary institutions, Rainbow Tears continues to inspire dialogue, foster understanding, and champion acceptance.
Experience the resonance of Rainbow Tears and join us in celebrating the enduring power of storytelling to shape hearts and minds.
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