90 minutes, Comedy-Drama

AMERICA IN ONE ROOM

by Jason Odell Williams

When eight strangers receive an invitation to the America in One Room event in 2019, promising robust discussions on a wide range of social and political topics, sparks fly, tempers flare, and comedy abounds. At a time when everyone thinks they’re right, it will take more than political debate to find common ground. Inspired by the real-life convention of the same name, AMERICA IN ONE ROOM is a comedy-drama that tackles our nation’s past, present and future (and even employs a little audience participation) to answer the question: is there hope for our country?

Production Notes:

CASTING: 4M, 5F

TIME: The last weekend in September, 2019.

PLACE: A hotel conference room at a fancy resort outside of Dallas, Texas.

"Successfully mixes comedy and drama to good effect. There are plenty of zingy one-liners, but you can also count on a few surprises along the way." - Sarasota Magazine

"Lifelike to the extreme! The best commentary on modern American political culture. A valuable snapshot of our current socio-political malaise and should make for good post-theater conversation." - The Bradenton Times

"Williams wisely focuses on the personal relationships [AND] the play gains its strength during breaks when the characters...connect over everyday things like parenting challenges or work. Williams doesn't set out to change attitudes, but he does want you to think a little differently about people and what they may stand for." - Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Author

Jason Odell Williams

Jason Odell Williams (playwright). Originally from Columbia, Maryland, Jason has been nominated for an Emmy Award, an Off-Broadway Alliance Best New Play Award and an L.A. Ovation Best Original Play Award. His plays Church & State and Handle With Care are published by DPS and have won a Henry Award and a Theatre Bay Area Award for Best Play respectively. Jason was the winner of the 2012 Hudson Valley Writers Workshop contest and his work has been named a Semi-Finalist for PlayMaker Rep’s Thomas Wolfe Playwriting Competition and twice been named a Semi-Finalist for the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Festival.

Jason was a Finalist for the 2020-21 McKnight National Residency and Commission. Florida Studio Theatre commissioned him to write his newest play America In One Room which was then chosen to have its world premiere at FST from December 2021 - February 2022. [FULL BIO]