Will Karls - Writer
Will's writing journey began in fourth grade, when he penned an original adaptation of Alice Through the Lookingglass for his class play. Since then he has developed a number of other short works including Krunch Time, which premiered with six other short plays during 2019, and Behind Closed Doors, his first full one act.
Will studied the neo-futurist style of playwriting with Infinite Wrench alumni Jessica Anne at the Chicago College of Performing Arts, leading to the development of Karls for Mayor 2027, his first collection of plays. Currently he is working on his first original musical titled Dan's: A New Brewsical.
WILL'S WORK
Dan's: A New Brewsical
IN DEVELOPMENT
When Will Charter seeks a minimum wage job as a barista at a local coffee shop, he has no idea what fresh hell awaits him - literally. As he navigates employment for the first time he is taken under his manager's wing, learning what it truly takes to survive in corporate America.
Based on experiences working at Dom's Kitchen and Market, this musical began as a collaboration between Will Karls and Will McLaughlin in 2024, just months before the Foxtrot closures. It will have its first reading in early 2025
Behind Closed Doors
Comedy, 2f/4m
"Maybe there are just some things that shouldn't be talked about at work."
Behind Closed Doors follows a group of high school teachers on their lunch break on an average day. As they each begin to let their guards drop, we begin to see who they truly are behind closed doors. This one act play examines the way we interact with others in the workplace and the dangers of microaggressions. What do you say when your friends backs are turned?
Script by Will Karls and Jack Jones. Originally devised by Will Karls, Jack Jones, Tristan Smith, Sophia Hines, Ty Shay, and Joseph Yanez.
Karls for Mayor 2027
Comedic scenes and sketches
"With righteous fury and thunder, I make a vow toward heaven/Karls for Mayor, 2027"
Karls for Mayor 2027 is a collection of short scenes, sketches, and monologues directly inspired by the life of Will Karls. Inspired by the time he spent studying experimental playwriting with Jessica Anne, each of these short plays are written in the neo-futurist style. Selections include "Fury, Thy Line is Red", "Happy Birthday Dad!", "dot dot dot / dash dash dash / dot dot dot" and more.