While Ben has written in a variety of formats over the years (including putting in a 15+ year career as a technical writer, 10 years in editorial positions, and at least 5 of those as an instructional designer), writing for the stage is where he truly shines. What started as a whim based on a, frankly, kind of dumb idea to write a bog-standard parlor room farce with a zombie substituted for a character surrounded by selfish, vapid, idiots (the published and twice-produced The Importance of Eating Earnest) turned into a passion for playwriting.

Since then, he’s written for numerous 24 hour play festivals and managed to win a few, written several shorts for live audiences, and had a collection of short works put together for a “Magical Evening of Magical Theater Magic.” His current works can also be found on New Play Exchange.

Publications  

The Importance of Eating Earnest – Next Stage Press

“Black” collected in 64 Squares – Next Stage Press

Productions
The Importance of Eating Earnest

• Produced 2015, directed by Christine Weems for Obsidian Theater, Houston, TX
• Produced 2018, directed by Christine Weems for Spring Street Studios, Houston, TX
• Published by Next Stage Press

A Magical Night of Magical Theater Magic: Collected Short Works of Ben Plopper

• Produced 2020, directed by Jonathan Moonen for Company OnStage, Houston, TX
• Included the short plays:
  • “A Fistful of Sorrows”
  • “An Atheist, A Christan, and a Jew Walk Into The Apocalypse”
  • “Dogs in the Garden”
  • “A Very British Farce in which Everything is resolved in a Reasonable Manner”
  • “The Happiest of Meals”
  • “A Southern Gothic Tragedy in which Tragedy is Averted”
  • “A Horror Story in which Sensible Decisions are Made”
  • “Black” (from 64 Squares, published by Next Stage Press)
  • A scene from The Importance of Eating Earnest

The Philosophy of the Infinite Heart (Short)

• Produced 2015, directed by Christine Weems for Queensbury Theater, Houston, TX

Armageddon Tired of All These Zombies (Short)

• Produced 2012, directed by Leighza Walker for Obsidian Theater, Houston, TX

Cone Man Running Presents, Spontaneous Smattering 24 Hour Play Festival, March 2012 through November 2020:

• “Armageddon Tired of All These Zombies,” 2012 (Best in Show Winner)
• “The Epic of Gilbert G. Mesh,” 2013
• “Your Mom,” June 2015 (Best in Show Winner)
• “Remember the T.I.T.U.M.S.,” November 2015
• “Rosemary’s Teenager,” November 2016 (Best Script Winner)
• “It: The Musical,” July 2018

Currently in Development
Audio Drama:

• WTTN Presents: Tales of Suspense and Terror

Plays:

• He Summons His Muse
• The Time I Accidentally Started a Sex Cult
• Opaque (working title)
• Bury Me in My Red Hat
• Memento Memory (working title)
• Far From Wonderful
• Sinners in the Hands of an Angry Board