writer
I've been writing scripts since college, where I participated in workshops, short play festivals, and even helped write a few films scripts. After moving to Orlando, I became active in the new and original work scene, and have since produced more than five fully realized plays. In addition to plays, I have published one novel. My writing tends toward comedic pieces that also make you think; no piece of writing should be without a message. When you read what I write, you'll be thoroughly entertained and left with something that your brain will enjoy mulling over.
Plays
Original, thought provoking work.
I've been writing scripts since college, where I participated in workshops, short play festivals, and even helped write a few films scripts. After moving to Orlando, I became active in the new and original work scene, and have since produced more than five fully realized plays. In addition to plays, I have published one novel. My writing tends toward comedic pieces that also make you think; no piece of writing should be without a message. Any Michael Knight piece is lightning fast, sharp, and witty, and specializes in banter that will remind you of the best conversations you've ever had. A frequent comment I receive is "I didn't know what I was getting into." When you read what I write, you'll have been entertained by a thorough, whirlwind experience and left with something that your brain will enjoy mulling over.
plays
The Foreplay: An Exploration of the Birth of Our Nation
Originally presented and self produced at the 2016 Orlando International Fringe Festival where it won Patron's Pick. It has since been performed at the Orlando Mini Fringe, at The Venue in Orlando, and at the KC Fringe, where it won best in venue.
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When building a brand new baby country, what decisions must be made? Join American forefather Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Mason as they hilariously create the USA's Bill of Rights. Using modern day language and witty comparison's to today's most pressing issues, The Foreplay wisecracks its way through the messy birth of the nation we know and love, for better or for worse. Packed with hysterical historical inaccuracy, this play will give you a whole new perspective on the first 10 Amendments.
The FABULOUS King James Bible
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Originally produced for the Orlando Winter Mini-Fringe 2021 by New Generation Theatrical. It was an official top five Patron's Pick award winner.
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In the 1500's the historically gay King James I proposed a new translation of the bible, birthing the most popular version of the bible to date. But why? In this hilariously historically inaccurate play, King James questions the role of the church and scripture in order to make the translation, much to the chagrin of his two high priests who are nothing if not traditional. This play provides an accessible look into how the translation came to be and begs the question: Why can't religion be a little more fabulous?
Anne Frankenstein
Originally presented and produced by Effrayant Productions at the 2015 Orlando International Fringe Festival where it was nominated for five BroadwayWorld.com awards including Best New Play, Best Lead Actor, Best Lead Actress, Best Director, and Best World Premiere Play.
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When a new faction of Neo-Nazis threatens the free world, a mad scientist and her sci-fi loving assistant recreate Anne Frank as a katana wielding mercenary to deliver swift and bloody justice.
Wake Up
Originally presented at the inaugural Be Original Play Festival in 2019 at The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Orlando.
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A man continues to receive visits from a mysterious stranger telling him that his happy life, job, wife, best friend, and everything he knows is a dream. He must then decide what's better: living a lie of happiness, or waking to the absolutely unknown and foreign truth.
How To Survive a Wedding With Your Ex
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Originally presented at the 2017 Orlando International Fringe Festival produced by Generation Productions, also produced as an audio play for Knight Cap Audio Plays podcast.
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Two exes with bad blood are invited to their friend's seemingly perfect destination wedding on a remote tropical island with every amenity known to man. However, their intentions to avoid each other are ruined when a zombie outbreak orchestrated by the island's maniac owner forces them to rely on each other for survival.
Jesus: Origins
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Originally recorded as an audio play for Knight Cap Audio Plays podcast.
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An There have been many tales and ruminations about the lost years of Christ our Lord. How did he become the miracle worker we all love and worship? Wasn't he once just a young man making his awkward way in Nazareth? You bet your ass he was. In this fast paced and highly irreverent action/comedy told in the manner of a superhero origin story, Jesus Christ discovers his destiny and begins his journey to become the one true savior as his abilities manifest. But the threat of the son of Herod looms...
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Now With Chikin
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Written by special commission originally produced at the Orlando International Fringe Festival 2017. Directed by Eric Desnoyers and produced by Sprocket Stage Company
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Two cows tasked with painting billboards for a fast-food chicken chain begin contemplating the larger questions of their existence, all while trying to avoid tomatoes being hurled at them by a radical protesting chicken.
Creepy Christmas Cabaret
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Written by special commission, a Christmas event produced and presented by Central Florida Vocal Arts and Opera Del Sol at the Iron Cow bar in Orlando, December 2019.
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A gorgeous demon throws a Christmas party in the underworld and invites some of the most notorious sinful residents to enjoy a little lascivious holiday cheer.
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If you're interested in any of these works for production, or for a brand new, special commissioned piece, please contact me!
OTHER PAST PRODUCED WORKS​
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Co-Writer: 20 Nothing, script, Pipsqueak Collective, Orlando Fringe Festival, 2014
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Writer: Blind Date, script, CMU 24 Hour Play Blitz, 2012
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Co-Writer: Festivities Most Lascivious , screenplay, CMU 48 hour Film Festival, 2011
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Writer: Self Conclusion, script, Alpha Psi Omega One-Act Play Festival (extended version), CMU 24 Hour Play Blitz, 2011
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Co-Writer: Out of the Blue, screenplay, Country Studios, 2009
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Writer: Concept of Existence, script, Broadway Community Theater One Act Play Festival, 2008
NOVELS
Christmas is a time for friends, family and tradition. For Daniel Owen, however, it is just a reminder of all the terrible things that have happened to him in recent years: the loss of his parents, the disintegration of his engagement, and the death of his sister. So when he finds himself stranded in his postcard worthy hometown of Ember, Michigan right as the holiday begins, his depression seems to take a turn for the worse. Trying to escape, he runs into a mysterious foreigner in the form of a bubbly young woman who seems set on enjoying all aspects of Christmas in this idyllic little town.Their relationship begins to develop through carriage rides, snowball fights, and late night star gazing, as well as a stay in an idyllic Christmas cottage in the woods, and Daniel begins to realize that maybe the things he was running from; his friends, his memories, and his Christmas traditions, are in fact the exact things that can make him feel better.
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On sale now in Paperback and Digital at: https://www.amazon.com/Embers-Gifts-Christmas-Michael-Knight/
Proximity to a Sun- A young soldier from Earth, Trevar Sameer, finds love in a fellow soldier from the faraway planet of Pylanta. But when the Earth secretly plots to attack her homeworld, she is whisked away and imprisoned, and only Trevar knows the truth of the conspiracy. He must travel across the galaxy to warn the Pylantians of the incoming attack and save the girl he loves. But Earth's might is on it's way and time is incredibly short...
Coming Soon...
Monologues
Many actors need new monologues for auditions. In Orlando specifically, actors need monologues tailored to both the character/show they are auditioning for as well as their individual needs based on style/aesthetic. I offer my services to write new, original one to two minute monologues, both comedic and dramatic, for actors who need to add something new to their repertoire. I take any and all concepts or ideas the actor may have and incorporate it into the monologue, or I create an entirely new one from scratch. From there, we work together to tweak and edit the monologue until the actor feels happy and comfortable with the words they are going to perform. Monologue services available with a 3 day minimum turnaround. Contact for pricing. Below are examples of some audition/performance monologues I have written.
writing media
