Broken Arts Entertainment Festival Eligible Shows

Badger and Frame

“Badger and Frame” by Scott Sickles Get ready for our largest cast to date, a story with brains, bite, and a big heart.
Written by Broken Arts favorite Scott Sickles—the mind behind Outpost, Appetizers, On an Island Somewhere, and Guten Tag! Baby—this story brings depth, laughs, and a little bit of chaos.
🎬 Directed and sound-designed by Joe Swenson, and produced by Jack Davis
Starring: Kim Gordon, back for her 11th Broken Arts show, Rising favorite Kevin Lowney, who you might know from Justin Thyme
Jamie Lupien Swenson, the voice of Breakroom 11,
A cameo by Joe Swenson himself (yes, he shows up again),
And two amazing young stars: Bentley Swenson (from A Fragile Mind and Merry Christmas of July) and, making their debut, Parker McInnes-Hanz. It’s a show about connection, imagination, and the blurred lines between what’s real and what’s in our heads. Trust us—you’ll want to hear how this one plays out.

Merry Birthday of July

It's hard being a father to a teenager and a tween at the same time. Especially in the wake of the reality they have been thrust into.
Written by Cam Eickmeyer
Directed by Jack Davis
Produced by Ian Ashland
Starring: Randy Hunt Emma Eukitis Bentley Swenson

Guten Tag! Baby

"Guten Tag, Baby!" by Scott Sickles (Scott is an Emmy Winner and this is his third show with BAE!)
CAST:
Kim Gordon – A veteran actress with an astounding five-decade career in theater, film, and television. Her performances in Quarantine 2038, Table 27, and Right as Rain speak to her unparalleled talent.
Jamie Lupien Swenson – A classically trained singer with a breathtaking voice, Jamie has shone in Tiny Man on Ferry, Don’t Want Your Future to Melt, and Breakroom 11.
Jamie Lee – An actress and singer whose album Brides showcases her unique artistry. Her work in Ties That Bind and Magical Thinking solidifies her as a rising star.
Sean Polite – Making his second appearance this season, Sean once again delivers an incredible performance, proving he is a force to be reckoned with.
DIRECTOR & PRODUCER: Helen May – As the Executive Producer of Loved Ones and our reigning BAE Director of the Year, Helen’s keen eye for emotional depth ensures that every actor reaches their full potential. Her leadership in this production is nothing short of inspiring.
SOUNDSCAPE ENGINEER: Joe Swenson – Joe’s cinematic approach to sound design brings Guten Tag, Baby! to life, ensuring every nuance is captured in stunning detail.

A Fragile Mind Season 2: Episode 02

Season 2 of A Fragile Mind follows the life of Samantha Saunders, the Keeper of the Rules of Telepaths. Sam is a natural that befriended Stephanie in Joe Swenson's novel Letter #3.
Season 2 covers a massive expanse in time. From their time hiding away at a cabin in 2028 to the two timelines that were revealed in Season 1 (2038 and 2040).
Rules of the Keeper is more than just a story about Sam, it's a story about love, how the mind deals with trauma, identity issues, and really takes a crack at how chaos can feed peace of mind.
Will Sam find Peace? Find out in this series.

Justin Thyme Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport

Justin Thyme (yes, that’s really his name) races to catch a flight while battling the ultimate enemy: TSA boredom. Isabella’s boyfriend is a cartel general, Juan Bad Dude, while Justin gets grilled harder than airport fajitas. He tries CIA badges, fake senator IDs, and even busts out an Irish wrestling persona — all to no avail. TSA Agent Joe King (also a real name, apparently) slow-scans him like a sloth on NyQuil. Will he make his flight? Tune in and find out.
Starring: Derek Kingsley and Steve Mize
Featuring: Antonella Perez Fererro, Louise Rook-Schofield, Cole Dzubak, Dan Sharrow, and Bob Sawyer.
Written, Directed, Soundscape Engineer: Joe Swenson
Executive Producer: Ian Ashland

Nine Miles to Maryville

Selection - Fight Forward Festival
Selection - University of Houston Theater 10 Minute Festival
Selection - VetRep
2024 Runner-Up - King of the Crows for Script of the Year.
Every year 40,000+ people lose their lives due to gun violence. This show is about accountability where accountability belongs. While the story is fictionalized, the references are real.
Starring:
Dana Hall
Nathan Roach
Derek Kingsley
Hannah Lee DeFrates.
Written/Directed/Produced/Edited by Joe Swenson
Music Composition "Eleven Days" by Victoria Stubbs

Boxes

“Boxes” by Pamela Kingsley
STARRING
Emily Morse-Lee – Emily is making her anthology debut with Broken Arts, but if you’re an A Fragile Mind fan, you’ll recognize her voice from the spinoff, Breakroom 11.
 
Leslie Whitehead-O’Neal – Leslie is making her BAE debut and has been on the cusp of other opportunities within the BAE universe. Similarly to Emily, Leslie will blow you away with this performance.
DIRECTOR
Randy Hunt – Randy is a very accomplished playwright, performer, director, and more. Randy has been with BAE since 2020 where he played a Librarian in Playground Rules and one of the leads in Quarantine 2038. Randy has also performed in every anthology that we’ve done and has directed a half-dozen shows or so with BAE.
PRODUCER
Hannah Lee DeFrates – Hannah does it all (Except Direct) for Broken Arts Entertainment. You see her handy work throughout all of our marketing efforts as well as being one of the leads in the A Fragile Mind series. She’s an Executive Producer for AFMS as well and more. It’s very obvious when you hear a show that Hannah touches.
SOUNDSCAPE ENGINEER:
Bob Sawyer  – Bob is one of our primary engineers for the Loved Ones Season 2 anthology. His attention to detail and ability to bring the soundscape to life are incredible. For this show though? I’ll you be the judge, but we think it was something special.

Afterthought

🔊 Afterthought Premieres: A New Must-Listen Audio Drama from Broken Arts Broken Arts proudly presents “Afterthought”, a mesmerizing new audio play written by Christopher Soucy, premiering as part of the latest anthology series. With a razor-sharp script, masterful direction, and a haunting soundscape, Afterthought continues the tradition of intimate, character-driven storytelling that Broken Arts fans know and love. This premiere follows on the heels of several hit shows in this season’s anthology, further enriching the Broken Arts Audio Ensemble (BAE) universe.
Afterthought promises to be an emotional, eerie, and deeply reflective journey into the spaces between memory and regret. 🌟 Cast of Afterthought: Familiar Faces, Fresh Performances
Lora Hogan – A core member of the BAE family, Lora first captivated listeners in Prewritten, the standout piece from Loved Ones Season 1, which earned the BAE 2024 Best Show award. Since then, she’s starred in Schism and many other productions. Beyond her acting, Lora contributes as a producer and serves as BAE’s Director of Marketing, helping shape the company’s voice and vision both on and off the mic.
Paul Dela Ross – Making his BAE debut, Paul brings an international flair to the cast of Afterthought. Though new to the Broken Arts scene, he has already made his mark with recurring roles in Justin Thyme and the ever-expanding A Fragile Mind multiverse. His voice adds a fresh dimension to the audio experience, and he’s quickly becoming a name to watch in the BAE lineup. 🎬 Behind the Scenes: A Talented Team Bringing Afterthought to Life
Director: Cole Dzubak Known for his sharp instincts and emotionally grounded direction, Cole is no stranger to BAE audiences. A theatre graduate and long-time contributor to Broken Arts, Cole has earned multiple nominations for Best Director. He also serves on the marketing team, managing the company’s website, and recently added producer to his growing list of talents. Afterthought is another showcase of his multifaceted abilities.
Producer: Bob Sawyer Talk about a fast start—Afterthought marks Bob’s first produced show with Broken Arts, and he’s already wearing multiple hats: actor, producer, and editor. With another project already set to premiere next week, Bob is proving himself to be a vital new presence in the Broken Arts creative family.
Soundscape Engineer: Yana Ramos One of the most exciting new talents in the BAE world, Yana is responsible for the immersive, emotionally rich sound design in Afterthought. A performer and editor, Yana brings a keen ear and creative passion to their work, delivering a soundscape that’s as compelling as the performances themselves. This is their first official BAE credit, but it certainly won’t be the last.
🎧 Why Afterthought Deserves a Spot in Your Playlist If you’re looking for a drama that blends psychological tension with raw emotionality, Afterthought is your next obsession. Christopher Soucy’s script delves into the fragile spaces of the mind—where what’s left unsaid lingers like a ghost. Coupled with a powerhouse cast and an innovative production team, Afterthought is one of this season’s most anticipated debuts. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Broken Arts or a newcomer exploring BAE’s acclaimed anthology series, Afterthought offers a gripping, thought-provoking listen that lingers long after the final line. 

The Suns Shadow

From the brilliance of Dana Hall comes an emotionally gripping story about love and loss.
Written By: Dana Hall (Co-wrote AHAVAH from Loved Ones Season 1)
Directed By: Antonella Perez Fererro
Produced By: Derek Kingsley Soundscape Engineered: Yana Ramos
Starring:
Leslie Whitehead-Oneal (Boxes)
Hannah Lee DeFrates (Nominated for best actress in an anthology for Backseat Driver in last season’s Good Vibes Summer), Hannah also stars in A Fragile Mind Season’s 1 and 2 as well as At The Cabin. Hannah has been in a show in every anthology including Back, In The Caravan, Someone’s Lucky Day, Heatwave, For Mr. Cuddles, Hanging on for Near Life). She’s also in the recently released political drama Nine Miles to Maryville and is the lead in the upcoming Aly Kantor Series, Choose The Bear.

Guilt By Association

Content Warning: Show has conversations about suicide.
After a day of admiring new cars, James Jr. sits down with his father, Jim, a WWII veteran. But tonight, it’s not about cars—it’s about something bigger.
James wants to call his best friend, Topher. He doesn’t know how to bring it up why and he doesn’t know if his dad will understand. Then, in an unexpected moment, the conversation happens—and nothing will ever be the same.
💡 A powerful story about family, courage, and the words that matter most.
✨ Written by Donald Baker
🎭 Starring Steve Mize & Jack Dumas
🎬 Directed by Derek Kingsley
🎶 Soundscape by Bob Sawyer
🎥 Produced by Joe Swenson
🔁 Some conversations change everything. Share if this resonates.
📱💙 #TheConversation #BrokenArts #FatherSon #ConversationsMatter